Stories and Features about Construction Insurance

Two significant changes are bearing down on UK construction at the same time. The government has announced a ban on retention payments in construction contracts. And the Building Safety Levy goes live on 1 October 2026, charging developers on new residential projects submitted for building control approval from that date.

Neither of these is a distant proposal. Both require action now, not when the legislation lands. This article sets out what each change involves, who it affects, and what you should be doing about it today. Continue reading “Retention Ban and Building Safety Levy: Act Now”

Ask ten contractors whether CAR insurance and contract works insurance are the same thing and you will get at least three different answers. The terms are used interchangeably across the industry by brokers, insurers, and building contractors alike, and in many contexts they do refer to the same core protection. But there is a meaningful difference between them, and misunderstanding it can leave gaps in your cover that only become apparent when you try to make a claim.

This article sets out what each term means, what each type of policy does and does not cover, and how to work out which arrangement suits the work you do. Continue reading “CAR vs Contract Works: Which Cover Do You Need?”

Most construction projects run late. That is not a criticism of the industry, it is one of the most consistently documented facts about it. Supply chain failures, labour shortages, client variations, bad weather, planning delays: the list of things that can push a completion date back is long and familiar to anyone who works on site.

The problem is that your insurance policy does not care about any of that. A fixed-term contract works policy has a completion date written into the schedule, and if your project runs past that date without a formal extension in place, cover can simply cease. You could be working on an uninsured site and not realise it until something goes wrong. Continue reading “What Happens to Insurance When a Project Overruns?”

The short answer is: it depends on how the subcontractor is classified. But that classification matters enormously, both for the subcontractor’s own protection and for the main contractor’s policy to stay valid.

UK insurers recognise two types of subcontractor, and each comes with different insurance obligations. Getting this wrong does not just create gaps in cover; it can invalidate a claim entirely.

This article explains the distinction, what cover each party needs, and the mistakes that regularly leave contractors out of pocket. Continue reading “Do Subcontractors Need Their Own Insurance?”

Extreme weather construction insurance is quickly becoming essential for contractors across the UK. From prolonged heatwaves and flash flooding to named winter storms, unpredictable weather is disrupting projects, increasing costs and exposing gaps in traditional construction insurance cover.

For site owners, developers and contractors, the question is no longer if severe weather will impact a project, but when. The right protection can mean the difference between a manageable setback and a serious financial loss. Continue reading “Extreme Weather Reshaping Construction Insurance Cover in the UK”

What They Are, Why Lenders Require Them, and How They Work

In construction, a performance bond is a financial guarantee that ensures a contractor completes a project according to the agreed terms. Think of it as a safety net for project owners and lenders: if the contractor fails to deliver, the bond provides compensation to cover the costs of completing the work.

Increasingly, lenders and project owners in the UK are insisting on performance bonds, particularly for larger developments or projects involving significant financing. With construction costs rising and contractor insolvencies a real risk, these bonds give stakeholders confidence that their investment is protected. Continue reading “What Is a Performance Bond? A Guide for UK Construction Projects”

When it comes to construction projects, it’s tempting to opt for the cheapest insurance quote. After all, why pay more if the law only requires a basic level of cover?

But what many builders don’t realise is that low-cost policies often leave significant gaps. When a serious incident occurs, a site accident, damage to machinery, or a legal dispute, these “bargain” policies can fail, leaving you personally and financially exposed. Continue reading “Why Cheap Construction Insurance Rarely Survives Serious Claims”

Running one construction site is complex enough. Running several at the same time multiplies that complexity, commercially, legally and financially.

Across the UK, many contractors and developers now operate multiple live projects simultaneously. Regional housing schemes, phased developments, refurbishment contracts and specialist trade work often overlap. While this supports growth, it also increases exposure to risk. More sites mean more employees, more subcontractors, more equipment in transit and greater contractual responsibility. Continue reading “Insurance Planning for Multi-Site Construction Businesses in the UK”

The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is a UK tax system that applies to most construction work. It is used by the government to collect tax from people working in the construction industry. Under CIS, contractors must take tax off payments they make to subcontractors and send this money to HMRC. This is a legal responsibility and is explained clearly on gov.uk. The tax taken off counts towards the subcontractor’s tax bill. Continue reading “CIS Tax Scheme 2026 Reforms – What Contractors Need to Know”

Unoccupied properties are a common part of property investment. Whether you are between tenants, planning refurbishment works, waiting for a sale, or dealing with probate, there may be times when a building is left empty. However, many investors are unaware that leaving a property unoccupied can significantly affect their insurance cover. Continue reading “The 2026 Guide to Unoccupied Property Insurance for Investors”