Subcontractor Insurance
Whether you’re a subcontractor looking for the right cover to protect you and your business, or a contractor looking to provide adequate protection for a hired subcontractor, Howden’s here to help.
Why choose Howden for Subcontractor Insurance?
We know how difficult and stressful it can be for tradesmen to find the insurance policies they need, and that’s why we strive to do the heavy lifting instead, so you don’t have to.
Thanks to the brilliant relationships we have with our selected panel of both standard and specialist insurers, we’re able to make the process of sourcing various subcontractor insurance options, on your behalf, simple and easy.
Our team of experts understand that each subcontractor insurance policy needs to be unique and tailored to each owner and their subcontracting business. That’s why we provide personalised services to our clients, which focuses on getting to know you and your business better, whilst also learning more about what you want from your subcontractor insurance policy.
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new insurance policy, or renew an existing one, just know that we’re always here to help.
Benefits of working with Howden:
- You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
- We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
- Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
- Speak with your local branch, within your community.
- We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.
Business Insurance for subcontractors
Subcontractor insurance policies first and foremost act as a financial safety net for subcontractors and their business. Whether you need liability cover to protect yourself from third-party claims, or tools insurance to protect what’s most valuable to you and your work, on the whole, a comprehensive subcontractor’s insurance package is designed to provide peace of mind and put you at ease in case something unfortunate were to happen.
Here at Howden, we specialise in sourcing business insurance policies for a wide range of subcontractors in the industry and strive to help as many professionals as possible find the cover they’re looking for to aid their business.
Not only can we start with making sure you have both public liability and employers’ liability insurance in place, to cement the foundations of your business insurance, but moving forward we can also help you build a subcontractor’s insurance policy that tailored to your subcontracting operation and provides you with the most appropriate cover.
What insurance do I need as a subcontractor?
For subcontractors, we'd say that public liability insurance is, essentially, a must-have policy. Liability cover is crucial for subcontractors because of the protection it provides against third-party claims and the financial stability it can maintain for businesses of all sizes facing compensation pay outs.
However, there are other cover options available to subcontractors too. Take a look below to see the different types of insurance we have available. Collectively, these insurance options can be compiled together to create what could be a subcontractor insurance package that’s perfect for your business.
Public liability insurance
Has any work undertaken by your business caused property damage or an accidental injury? Public liability cover can provide the cover you’re looking for.
Employers’ liability insurance
If someone you employ under your business gets injured or sick whilst out on the job, employers’ liability cover can provide cover for them and your business.
Tools insurance
You need your valuable tools in order to be able to do your job to the best of your ability. Tools cover offers cover if your tools are damaged, lost, or stolen.
Personal accident insurance
For anyone covered under your personal accident insurance, they’ll be compensated if they’re accidentally injured or unable to work.
Legal expenses insurance
Disputes and legal action can put financial pressure on your subcontracting business. Legal expenses insurance is designed to cover any legal costs that are accrued as a result.
Contractors' all risk insurance
Could the work you’re doing be impacted by things out of your control, such as floods, fires, or vandalism? All risk insurance, also known as Contract Works cover, can help.
Hired-in plant insurance
Accidents happen, but it’s most unfortunate when it’s inflicted on machinery or tools that aren’t your own. Hired-in plant cover can protect what you rent in the event that it gets lost, stolen or damaged.
Still not decided on the insurance you need? No problem. Get in touch with a member our specialist team today and let us help you find and build a subcontractor insurance policy that ticks each of your boxes.
Public Liability Insurance for Subcontractors
For subcontractors, public liability insurance is certainly a must-have. For bona-fide subcontractors in particular, ensuring the business operation they run is covered as comprehensively as possible is essential, and public liability cover can help to achieve this.
Every insurer is different, but generally speaking, you can expect public liability insurance to cover you for:
- Legal expenses following claims
- Medical fees stemming from treatments
- Costs of repairs caused by accidental damage
- Compensation costs as a result of being found liable
Ultimately, accidents do happen, and third-party claims can come out from the woodworks at any given time, so having public liability insurance in place could make all the difference when it comes to keeping your business’ finances covered.
Do subcontractors need Public Liability Insurance?
Yes, subcontractors should make sure that they have a public liability insurance policy. Whilst it’s not a legal requirement to have this subcontractor liability insurance in place, making sure that your business has a public liability insurance certificate is recommended.
Imagine, for example, your role as a subcontractor means you’re working on the ground level of a building site. Whilst on-site, you accidentally leave some tools out on the pavement, and a pedestrian trips over it, and badly injures themselves. As you would be liable for the injury, you’d have to fork out to pay for the compensation claim submitted by the pedestrian, and without public liability cover, the money would come out of your own pocket. That’s what makes public liability insurance so important, protecting your finances in the event that something unfortunate happens.
As well that, having public liability cover is also a good indicator to clients and hiring contractors of your professionalism. Proving to everyone on-site and your clients that you’re prepared to be held accountable for the work you do is a good look, giving a good first impression as a business owner.
How much does Subcontractor Insurance cost?
We’re often asked how much someone could expect to pay for a subcontractor policy, but the truth is, it’s hard for us to estimate how much your insurance premiums will be, before we’ve received all the necessary information we need from you.
For instance, there’s several factors that can impact the cost of subcontractor insurance premiums, including:
- The size of your subcontracting business
- Where your business is located
- Your previous claims history
- The policy excess you’re willing to pay
- Whether you want to pay upfront, or in monthly instalments
It’s also important to remember that each insurance provider is different too, meaning the cost of premiums will always vary across the industry anyway. But that’s why talking to an insurance broker can be beneficial.
We can help you compare across a range of specialist insurers and offer you some insight into which cover options could be the best for you and your subcontracting business.
How to get Subcontractor Insurance quotes
Looking for instant cover to support your subcontracting? The best to get this, and get your hands on a subcontractor insurance quote, is by contacting us.
Here at Howden, we specialise in comparing comprehensive and bespoke insurance policy options across the industry, and from the minute you speak to us, a member of team will start right away with helping you find subcontractor cover that makes the most sense for you.
You can either give us a call on 01276 601 690, visit us in your local Howden Branch, or scroll to the top of this page and click Get a quote. Whichever option you choose, we look forward to discussing your subcontractor insurance requirements with you.
Who do we also insure?
Not only can we help subcontractors, but we can also offer cover for a wide range of other tradesmen, such as:
- Bricklayers
- Builders
- Carpenters
- Car Valets
- Cleaners
- Contractors All-Risk
- Contractors
- Electrician
- Gardeners & Landscapers
- Gas Engineers
- Handymen
- Limited Companies
- Market Traders
- Mechanics
- Painters and Decorators
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Sole Traders
- Tradesmen
- Tree Surgeons
- Window Cleaners
Related Articles
Want to learn more about insurance for subcontractors? Have a read of the articles below that you can find on the Howden Blog!
- What is Contractors All Risk insurance?
- All You Need to Know About the Public Liability Insurance Certificate
- Tools stolen every 15 minutes – latest cost to the trade revealed
Subcontractor Insurance FAQs
What’s the difference between a subcontractor and a contractor?
The difference between these two roles is quite straightforward. A subcontractor is hired by contractors to undertake specific contracts for them, typically because the subcontractor is more skilled and knowledgeable in a specific area. The contractor might be responsible for the contract work, but the subcontractor is brought in to provide the service and complete the work on the contractor’s behalf.
What’s the difference between labour-only and bona-fide subcontractors?
To put it simply, labour-only subcontractors are employees that you hire to help you complete large projects, and employing contractors are responsible for them and their work, whereas bona-fide subcontractors tend to work on their own basis, are covered by their own insurance and will often quote for each job that they do.
Do I need Employers' Liability Insurance for subcontractors?
If you’re responsible for any labour only subcontractors as part of your business, you’re legally required to get an employers’ liability insurance policy to protect the employee and your business. As labour only subcontractors are legally considered to be employees, you’ll need employers’ liability cover.
For a bona-fide subcontractor, however, employers’ liability insurance cover isn’t required, as they should have their own insurance in place to protect themselves. It’s worth ask for proof of insurance from bona-fide subcontractors before working with them to ensure you’re not left liable in anyway if anything were to go wrong.
Are subcontractors covered under Contractors Insurance?
This depends on the subcontractor that’s asking! Labour only subcontractors will often just fall under the contractor’s insurance policy in terms of insurance protection, whereas a bona-fide subcontractor is generally expected to have their own insurance coverage in place whilst doing any work for the contractor.
Do labour-only subcontractors need their own insurance?
Generally speaking, no, labour only subcontractors do not need their own insurance, because they are viewed as a member of the employing contractor’s team. Therefore, the employing contractor is responsible for the labour only subcontractor, as legally must have employers’ liability cover in order to provide adequate protection.
What happens if my subcontractor does not have insurance?
If your subcontractor doesn’t have insurance and an issue arises during a project, it can lead to various challenges and potential risks for both parties involved
Before entering into a contract, you should ask for proof of insurance from subcontractors, to avoid facing liability for any mistakes or accidents that happen. If a subcontractor is unable to or not willing to show proof of the right insurance, you may need to reconsider whether you should continue working with them or not.
What is Subcontractor Default Insurance?
Subcontractor Default Insurance (SDI) is a type of insurance that provides coverage for a general contractor or project owner in the event that one of their subcontractor’s defaults on their contractual obligations.
When a subcontractor is unable to fulfil its contractual responsibilities, it can lead to project delays, increased costs, and potential legal disputes and subcontractor default insurance is designed to protect the project stakeholders from the financial and operational consequences of such subcontractor defaults.
Employers Liability Insurance
Liability cover that protects you, your employees, and your business.
It’s essential that you and your business are ready when the unexpected happens. Look no further than Howden’s employers’ liability insurance.
Public Liability Insurance
Public Liability Insurance you can trust
Look no further than an insurance broker for essential protection against third-party damage and injuries.
Tools Insurance
Don’t let lost or stolen tools slow down your business, get specialist tools cover
Feel safe knowing that you have a back-up plan should the worst happen, thanks to comprehensive tools insurance.