Contract Works Insurance

Specialist insurance for contract workers from £20 a month*.

  • Fast, easy online quote in 90 seconds

  • Interest free direct debit

  • No hidden fees or cancellation charges

When you’re working on a construction project, a lot can go wrong. From storms and fires to vandalism and theft, the unexpected can throw you off course and leave you facing significant costs. Without the right insurance, events like these could devastate your finances.

At Markel Direct, we believe that we offer excellent value contract works cover and will tailor your policy to suit your precise needs. Whether you’re a builder, electrician, plumber or any other type of tradesperson, we’ll have a policy that’s just right for you.

What is contract works insurance?

Designed for builders and other tradespeople, contract works insurance is there to cover work that is underway on a construction site. It pays out if this work is affected by an insured event such as a flood, fire, theft or act of malicious damage.

This type of financial protection is designed to cover the cost of repairing or redoing the work you have completed so far on a project. For example, it can include the tools, materials and labour needed to get the project back to where it was before the insured event occurred.  

Do I need contract works insurance?  

No matter how careful you are to minimise risks, there’s always a chance that something will go wrong on a building site. And in many cases, these problems are beyond your control. For example, you might have nearly finished a house extension when strong winds rip the roof off the structure.

If the contract you have signed with your client holds you responsible for unfinished work, you could face major costs in a scenario like this. As well as replacing any materials and tools damaged by the storm, you’ll have to foot the bill for the labour needed to get the project back on track. The more work you have already put into a project, the greater these costs can be.

If you would struggle to pay these expenses out of your own pocket, you’ll need contract works insurance.

Who is contract works insurance for?

Many different businesses and tradespeople can benefit from having contract works insurance. This includes, but isn’t limited to:  

In short, anyone who works in the construction industry and who needs to insure projects while they are in progress can benefit from contract works cover.

Why choose Markel Direct for contract works insurance?

There are many reasons to choose us as your contract works insurance provider. Here are just some:  

✔ Transparent pricing
We feel that our policies offer superb value for money. As well as this, our policies are fully transparent when it comes to pricing. This means you won’t be hit with any hidden fees.  

✔ Quick quotes
There’s no need to hang around when you want a quote. Simply fill in our online form and we’ll provide you with a quote for trades insurance in as little as 90 seconds.  

✔ Legal advice whenever you need it
Day or night, you can access specialist information and guidance from our legal advice helpline. It’s available 24/7 and is run by experienced solicitors.

✔ Customer feedback that speaks for itself
Our customer feedback says it all. Check out our impressive ratings on Feefo.com.  

✔ Decades of experience
With more than 25 years of experience in offering small business insurance, we know exactly what you’re looking for.

How much does contract works insurance cost?  

The cost of contract works insurance varies depending on factors such as the size of the projects you’re involved with and the type of work you’re carrying out. To find out how much you can expect to pay, simply get a quote today.

*Price based on a builder requiring £100,000 of contract works insurance.

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Rated 4.8 stars from 351 customer reviews at Google

Cover starting from £20 a month

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Cover starting from £20 a month

Frequently asked questions

  • What isn’t covered by contract works insurance?

    Contract works insurance does not cover existing structures on a construction site. For example, if you’re building an extension to a home and there’s a fire at the property, contract works insurance would pay to repair the extension work in progress, but it would not cover damage to the rest of the home.

  • What is contractors all risks insurance?

    Contractors all risks insurance refers to a broad type of cover that can include contract works insurance and various other forms of protection. For example, it commonly also includes public liability insurance and employers’ liability cover.

  • What level of cover do I need?

    Your contract works insurance should be sufficient to cover the highest value projects you work on. Think about the costs you may face working on your biggest projects if things go wrong, potentially very close to the completion of the work. Take all expenses into account, including materials and labour.
     
    If you’re not sure how much cover you need, don’t hesitate to contact our specialists for advice.

  • How is Markel Direct regulated?

    Markel Direct is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. If you’d like to find out more, you can visit the Financial Services Register.

Access free legal services for your contract works when you purchase Legal Expenses insurance including:

  • 24hr legal helpline.
  • 800+ DIY legal resources including contracts, policies, forms, and letter templates from Markel’s solicitors.
  • Free legal updates, templates, guidance documents, checklists, and useful links.
  • 460+ straight-forward guides.
  • 350+ links to key resources.
  • Up-to-date information on new legislation and case-law.
  • Live Chat available Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00.

Discover more about these services here.

Cover starting from £20 a month