Scaffolding Insurance for Professionals
As a scaffolder, insurers see you as one of the highest risk trades in the UK construction industry.
That’s why it can be so hard to buy Public Liability insurance for scaffolding contracts: plenty of companies won’t even give you a quote, and those that do insist on strict health and safety regulations.
You can’t skimp, though. In these litigious times it’s not an option. Whatever work you’re doing, and no matter how long you’ve been in the scaffolding business, you need sufficient liability cover to suit both your budget and the types of scaffolding jobs you carry out.
Scaffolding insurance traditionally spans seven principal areas:
- Access Scaffolds
- Birdcage Scaffolds
- Mobile Towers
- Putlog Scaffolds
- Scaffold Towers
- Traditional Tube and Fittings
- Tied Scaffolds
What should your scaffold insurance cover you for?
A basic policy needs to cover you for:
Public Liability insurance to cover the public against negligence
Corporate manslaughter to cover you if the worst happens
Employers liability if you employ anyone
Legal cover for costs under the Health and Safety at Work Act
For extra protection, you can also choose:
Personal accident insurance for you and your employees
Equipment damage cover for fire, theft and other perils
Plant and tools cover to protect the equipment you rely on
Hired-in property cover for any equipment you rent
Terrorism cover for the unexpected
What to look for in scaffold insurance
To get the best price and the right liability cover, you need to be very clear about the insurance you need:
- Are you a contractor, labour-only subcontractor or bona fide subcontractor?
- How much scaffolding experience do you have?
- What height are you working at?
No two policies will be the same: cover changes from business to business, so it’s worth getting a personalised quote from a specialised broker who fully understands the precise level of Liability Insurance scaffolders need for both themselves, and the general public.
It’s your responsibility to ensure that you carry the appropriate level of Liability Insurance on every scaffolding contract you or your company is engaged in.