Plant Hire Insurance vs Plant & Machinery Cover

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Understand the difference - and make sure your plant hire shop is properly protected

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What’s the Difference Between Plant Hire Insurance and Plant & Machinery Cover?

One of the most common questions we hear from plant hire businesses is: “Do I need plant hire insurance, plant & machinery cover - or both?”

While these terms are often used interchangeably, they protect very different risks. Choosing the wrong cover can leave serious gaps - especially for plant hire shops, depots and mixed retail / hire operations.

This guide explains the difference in plain English, so you can make sure your plant hire business is correctly insured.

At a Glance: Key Differences

  • Plant Hire Insurance – Designed for businesses that hire equipment to customers
  • Plant & Machinery Cover – Focuses on physical damage to owned machinery
  • Most plant hire shops need both for full protection

What Is Plant Hire Insurance?

Plant hire insurance is a **business insurance package** designed for companies that rent or hire out equipment to third parties. It goes beyond just protecting machinery - it addresses the legal, operational and financial risks of hiring.

What it typically includes

  • Hired-out plant & equipment cover
  • Public liability insurance
  • Employers’ liability insurance
  • Theft and vandalism
  • Business interruption
  • Loss of hire income

Plant hire insurance is essential if customers take your equipment off-site or use it themselves - as this creates third-party liability and contractual exposure.

What Is Plant & Machinery Insurance?

Plant & machinery insurance focuses on the **physical asset itself**. It protects owned machinery against accidental damage, fire, theft and breakdown - whether or not the equipment is hired out.

What it typically covers

  • Accidental damage
  • Fire and explosion
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Damage during operation
  • Optional breakdown extensions

This cover does not automatically include liability or loss of income. It is asset-focused rather than business-focused.

Plant Hire Insurance vs Plant & Machinery Cover: Side-by-Side

  • Hiring to customers? → Plant Hire Insurance
  • Protecting owned machinery? → Plant & Machinery Cover
  • Customer injury or damage? → Plant Hire Insurance
  • Accidental machine damage? → Plant & Machinery Cover
  • Loss of hire income? → Plant Hire Insurance

For most plant hire shops, these covers are complementary - not alternatives.

Common Insurance Gaps We See

  • Machinery insured - but no liability cover
  • Hire contracts not reflected in policy wording
  • Loss of hire income not included
  • Equipment covered on-site but not off-site
  • Uninsured downtime after damage

These gaps often only become apparent after a claim - when it’s too late.

Which Cover Does Your Plant Hire Shop Need?

In most cases:

  • ✔ Hire equipment to customers → Plant Hire Insurance
  • ✔ Own valuable machinery → Plant & Machinery Cover
  • ✔ Operate a shop or depot → Combined package

Insure24 helps plant hire businesses structure policies so both covers work together - avoiding overlaps and gaps.

Why Use Insure24?

  • Specialists in plant hire insurance
  • Clear advice - no jargon
  • Access to leading UK insurers
  • Policies built around real operations
  • Claims support when it matters
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+-Is plant hire insurance the same as plant & machinery cover?

No. Plant hire insurance focuses on hiring risks and liability, while plant & machinery cover protects the physical equipment itself.

+-Do I need both?

Most plant hire shops need both for full protection.

+-Does plant & machinery cover include liability?

No. Liability cover must be arranged separately or via a plant hire policy.

+-Can I combine both covers?

Yes. Insure24 regularly arranges combined policies for plant hire shops.

+-Will insurers check hire contracts?

Often yes - especially for liability and hired-out equipment claims.

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