UK and Ireland
Contractors' Plant Insurance
© Getty Images/ewg3D

Contractors' Plant Insurance

Comprehensive cover for unforeseen loss or damage to construction plant and machinery utilised across commercial/residential projects; available for owned or hired-in plant.

    alt txt

    properties.trackTitle

    properties.trackSubtitle

    The construction industry depends upon a wide range of plant and equipment; from tower cranes and large mobile cranes, to excavators, generators and hand tools.

    Due to the nature and use of these types of plant, they are susceptible to risks such as damage on site, damage in transit, fire and theft.

    Our response:
    HSB Contractors' Plant Insurance

    As a leading specialist provider of engineering and technology insurance, our Contractors' Plant insurance policy provides comprehensive cover for unforeseen loss or damage to construction plant and machinery utilised across commercial and residential projects.

    Cover is available for owned or hired-in plant and is targeted at equipment owners, hirers, and construction industry contractors/sub-contractors. However, it is also relevant for manufacturers and businesses that often need to hire in machinery and equipment.

    Our policy provides:
     

    • cover on a specified or blanket basis for owned plant
    • broad description of plant cover covered with owned plant insurance on a reinstatement (new for old) basis up to 24 months old
    • legal liability cover for hired-in plant under the terms of the hire agreement
    • cover for plant whilst hired out
    Building and demolition contractors
    Plant hirers
    Airside plant
    Rail-adapted plant

    Our Contractors' Plant policy contains no security conditions as standard. However, premium discounts are available for customers who install quality security systems (such as Thatcham-approved devices) and register with the Construction Equipment Security and Registration scheme (CESAR).

    Cover extends to include:

    • repair investigation costs
    • debris removal
    • recovery of immobilised plant
    • theft of fuel from insured plant
    • damage to unmanned aerial devices whilst not being operated
    • CPA contract lifts
    • Fire Brigade charges
    • loss of keys
    • transit by roll on/roll off ferry
    • temporary removal outside of the territorial limits but within the European Union

    Why buy Contractors' Plant Insurance from HSB?

    Our underwriters and risk engineers have extensive experience in providing construction insurance and are recognised as experts in this field. Drawing on our vast expertise in the construction sector, we are able to provide insurance products to meet the insurable risks of a specific project.
     

    • Policy wordings specifically designed with contractors/sub-contractors, property builders and developers, and construction plant owners in mind
    • Extensive underwriting expertise
    • Specialist engineering knowledge of plant and machinery
    • Cover available across the UK and Ireland
    • Access to experienced in-house construction loss control risk engineers
    • Access to claims handlers and loss adjusters with specialist knowledge of the construction industry
    UK-based arm of
    HSB Group
    The equipment breakdown insurance and inspection market leader since 1866.
    Part of
    Munich Re
    A world leader in risk solutions, consistent risk management, and financial stability.
    Rated A++ (Superior) by
    A.M. Best Company
    Financially strong and stable.
    Member of the Institute of
    Customer Service
    Demonstrating our commitment to continually improving customer service performance and professionalism.

    Trading options

    Non e-trade
    Supported by our customer-centric team of underwriting and business development professionals.
    E-trade
    Access our e-trade products via our online solutions: HSB Fast Track or Acturis; fully supported by our E-Trade Team.
    Delegated authority/reinsurance
    We can provide our partners with capacity, as well as innovative, all-encompassing embedded solutions. If you’re looking to provide specialist cover as part of your commercial proposition:
    HSB is committed to providing a superior customer experience through our specialist claims service
    HSB Claims Team

    HSB Construction Insurance in action

    £23,001
    Claim
    A gardening company's chipper, which was stored at a farm, was stolen just a month after it had been purchased on finance. Settlement was issued to the finance company for the amount outstanding, and the remainder to the gardening company.
    £3,201
    Claim
    A construction company's hired-in surveying manual total station blew over in the wind, sustaining damage to both the handle and control panel.
    £8,000
    Claim
    A construction company's hired-in digger, secured with a sensor alarm, CCTV and Heras fencing, was stolen by thieves.

    Insights

    HSB Knowledge Squad Podcast
    2025 UK construction trends

    HSB's John Nicholls and John Butterworth explore key trends that are reshaping the future of the UK construction market, and how those trends are impacting construction insurance risks.

    Stream via: Amazon Music | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube | YouTube Music | Web browser

    Listen now
    Modern building
    © Getty Images/Antonio Hugo
    Industry reports
    2025 construction trends: UK & Ireland
    Explore key trends that are reshaping the future of the UK and Ireland's construction markets, and how those trends are impacting construction insurance risks.
    UK report Ireland report
    Modern buildings
    © Getty Images/Antonio Hugo/xsw
    HSB Knowledge Squad Podcast
    Construction theft: contractors' small tools and equipment

    HSB's John Nicholls, Construction Product Leader, and Jamie Talbot, Underwriting Manager, explore the rising impact of small tools and equipment theft in the construction industry, how they affect construction customers’ bottom line and, what preventative measures and industry best practices they can take or follow to mitigate the risk of theft.

    Stream via: Amazon Music | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube | YouTube Music | Web browser

    Listen now
    Circular saw
    © Getty Images/vm
    We're proud to support:
    Agriculture and Construction Equipment (ACE), and The National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT); specialist police units targeting equipment theft from agricultural and construction sites.
    ACE NCATT
    Construction plant and equipment
    © Getty Images/Michael H
    Article
    UK Building Safety Bill - Chartered Insurance Institute Journal
    John Nicholls, Construction Product Leader - HSB
    Read article
    Houses of Parliament
    © Getty Images
    Article
    Rebuilding the construction market - Insurance Day
    John Nicholls, Construction Product Leader - HSB
    Read article
    UK construction site
    © HSB Engineering Insurance Limited
    Article
    Viewpoint: Innovation creates fresh risks in the construction sector - Insurance Day
    John Nicholls, Construction Product Leader - HSB
    Read article
    Innovative building construction
    © Getty Images

    1 of 7

    Product documentation

    These may also interest you