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.

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Introduction

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

Contractors' Plant 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

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

Broker/agent trading options

E-trade

Non e-trade

Delegated authority/reinsurance solutions

We can provide our partners with innovative, all-encompassing construction solutions.

If you’re looking to provide specialist cover as part of your commercial proposition, contact our Partnerships Team.

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: Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube | YouTube Music | Web browser

Listen now

Industry report

2025 UK construction trends

Our report explores key trends influencing the UK construction market.

Download report

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

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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

Leading specialist provider of engineering and technology insurance and inspection services in the UK and Ireland
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
Financially strong and stable – rated A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company
A member of the Institute of Customer Service, demonstrating our commitment to continually improving customer service performance and professionalism

HSB is committed to providing a superior customer experience through our specialist claims service

HSB Claims Team

Claims examples

Example Losses:

HSB Construction Insurance in action

Theft of a chipper

£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.

Accidental damage to a hired-in surveying station

£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.

Theft of a hired-in digger

£8,000

Claim

A construction company's hired-in digger, secured with a sensor alarm, CCTV and Heras fencing, was stolen by thieves.

Product documentation

Brochures: Standard

Brochures: E-Trade

Contractors' Plant and Machinery Insurance hired in plant insurance

HSB Contractors' Plant is also accessible to brokers online via HSB Fast Track and Acturis; making it quick and easy to quote and bind cover, process mid-term adjustments and obtain renewal terms.

View E-Trade Product