Public liability, plant and employers’ liability cover built for groundworkers, including the higher limits this trade often needs.
Public liability, plant and employers’ liability cover built for groundworkers, including the higher limits this trade often needs.
Buried servicesHired-in plantContract works
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Groundworks insurance is a combination of covers built around excavation, foundations and site preparation, public liability for damage or injury, employers’ liability if you have staff, and plant cover for the machinery you use. Because you’re working below ground, the risk of damage to utilities and neighbouring structures is higher than most trades.
Striking a gas, water or electricity main can be far more expensive than a typical trade claim, many groundworkers carry higher public liability limits for exactly this reason.
Groundworks insurance can include:
Public liabilityEmployers’ liabilityPlant & machineryProfessional indemnity (if you design)Tools & equipmentBusiness van & HGV insurance (separate)
Public Liability
Covers claims if your business injures a customer or damages their property.
Employers’ Liability
A legal requirement once you employ any staff, even casual help.
Professional Indemnity
Covers claims that your design or levels were negligent.
Plant & Machinery
Covers diggers, excavators and other plant you own or hire.
Tools & Equipment
Covers your smaller tools against theft from the van or site.
How much public liability cover does groundworks need?
How much public liability cover does groundworks need?
Ground and drainage work carries more risk than most trades, many groundworkers carry higher limits than the £1-2 million common elsewhere.
Ground and drainage work carries more risk than most trades, many groundworkers carry higher limits than the £1-2 million common elsewhere.
| Level of cover | Typical for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
£2 million | Small domestic groundworks and driveways | May be too low for utility or main-contractor work |
£5 million | General groundworks and most contracts | A common minimum for principal contractors |
£10 million | Larger commercial or utility-adjacent work | What many commercial contracts require |
Beyond £10 million | Major infrastructure or specified contracts | Usually only needed if the contract specifies it |
Top Tip
Check what your main contractor or client contract requires before choosing a limit, groundworks often has a higher minimum than the rest of the trades on a site.
There’s no fixed price. It depends on the type of groundworks you do, whether you own or hire plant, whether you have staff and your claims history.
Type of groundworks
Drainage and utility-adjacent work carries more risk than general site prep.
Level of cover
Higher public liability limits, common in this trade, increase your premium.
Plant ownership
Owning plant adds machinery risk on top of your liability cover.
Subcontractor use
How you use and manage subcontractors can affect your risk profile.
Number of staff
More employees increase your employers’ liability exposure.
Claims history
A clean claims record helps keep premiums down at renewal.
How to get groundworks insurance
How to get groundworks insurance
Getting groundworks insurance takes four steps: tell us about your work, choose your cover level, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
Getting groundworks insurance takes four steps: tell us about your work, choose your cover level, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
Tell us about your work
The type of groundworks you do, and whether you have staff or plant.
Choose your cover level
£2 million up to £10 million or more, based on your contracts.
We compare specialist insurers
We search our panel of 20+ UK insurers.
Get covered and working
Receive your documents, usually the same day.
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Trusted by thousands of businesses across the UK
From everyday business insurance to complex specialist cover, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right protection and provide expert support when it matters.
From everyday business insurance to complex specialist cover, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right protection and provide expert support when it matters.
Groundworks insurance guides
Groundworks insurance guides
Practical advice on cover levels, plant and staying protected on site.
Practical advice on cover levels, plant and staying protected on site.
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Groundworks insurance FAQs
Groundworks insurance FAQs
Straight answers on cover levels, plant, underground services and cost.
Straight answers on cover levels, plant, underground services and cost.
Groundworks insurance is a combination of covers built around excavation, foundations and site preparation: public liability for damage or injury, employers’ liability if you have staff, and plant cover for machinery you own or hire.
Still have questions?
Our advisers are here to help you find the right solution.
Related trades we cover
Related trades we cover
Groundworks contractors often work alongside these trades, and each has its own cover requirements.
Groundworks contractors often work alongside these trades, and each has its own cover requirements.
Bricklayer Insurance
Structural brickwork that follows the foundations you lay.
Demolition Insurance
Clearing a site before groundworks begin, with its own high-risk profile.
Builders Insurance
Main contractors coordinating groundworks alongside every other trade.
Tree Surgeon Insurance
Tree felling and stump removal that clears a site before excavation starts.
