Each trade and contract type carries a distinct risk profile. Here's what matters for yours.
Building & Principal Contractors
Building & Principal Contractors
Principal contractors carry vicarious liability for the whole site, including the actions of subcontractors. Your insurance programme needs to reflect the full contract value and the risk of design decisions.
- JCT contract minimum limits & wording compliance
- Subcontractor default and vicarious liability
- Structural / notifiable works exclusions
- CAR limits vs. full reinstatement value
Key Coverage Note
CAR limits should reflect the full reinstatement value of contract works, not just your fee or a fraction of the build value.
HVAC, Mechanical & Electrical
HVAC & M&E Contractors
M&E contractors often carry design responsibility alongside installation. A faulty system causing property damage or business interruption can generate claims far exceeding the contract value.
- Design and specification liability
- Fire and flood from faulty installation
- Testing and commissioning incidents
- Products liability for installed plant
Key Coverage Note
PI cover for M&E contractors should include a products liability extension, standard PI policies often exclude installed plant from cover.
Electrical Contractors
Electrical Contractors
From domestic rewires to commercial fit-outs, electrical contractors face significant liability for fire damage arising from their work, often years after project completion.
- Fire following electrical fault (completed operations)
- Certification and testing liability
- Part P compliance exposure
- Commercial fit-out property in care risk
Key Coverage Note
Ensure your PL policy includes a "completed operations" extension, work done today can generate a fire claim years later, after the standard policy period.
Agricultural & Rural
Agricultural & Rural
Agricultural businesses combine employer, vehicle, machinery, livestock and property risks in a single operation, often requiring specialist rural insurers with appetite for the full risk profile.
- Agricultural machinery on public roads
- Agri-chemical and pollution liability
- Seasonal worker employers liability
- Farm property and livestock cover
Key Coverage Note
Standard contractor policies rarely cover agricultural operations, specialist rural insurers with genuine appetite for the sector are required.
Flooring, Interiors & Shopfitting
Flooring & Interiors
Interior contractors working on occupied commercial premises face property in care risk and often need to satisfy retailer or landlord insurance requirements before work begins.
- Property in care, custody and control
- Hot works on occupied premises
- Retail tenancy insurance requirements
- Damage to existing finishes and structures
Key Coverage Note
Check that your PL policy includes adequate "property in care, custody and control" limits, this is frequently sub-limited or excluded on standard policies.
Other Specialist Trades
Roofing, Groundworks & Civil Engineering
High-risk trades require specific insurer approval. Roofing, groundworks and civil engineering contractors frequently encounter exclusions on standard PL policies that can leave significant gaps.
- Works at height exclusions (above 3m)
- Underground and excavation risks
- Vibration and subsidence liability
- Water ingress during roofing works
Key Coverage Note
Always declare works at height, hot works, excavation and demolition to your broker, non-disclosure on these activities is a common cause of claim rejection.