Contractors all risks insurance
Contractors all risks (CAR) insurance covers the works you are building and the materials on site against loss, damage and theft, from the first day on site until handover. For main contractors, developers, specialist trades and self-employed builders across the UK.
What CAR insurance protects
- The works in progress
- Materials on site
- Temporary works
- Debris removal and professional fees after a loss
- Own and hired-in plant and tools, as options
- Liability, when you add it as a combined policy
Who needs contractors all risks insurance?
Main contractors and builders
Cover for the projects you are running, whether that is one site or many, including where a JCT contract makes you responsible for insuring the works.
Developers and employers
Where the building contract asks the employer or developer to insure the works, we arrange the cover in joint names so it protects the contractor too.
Specialist trades and subcontractors
For trades asked to insure their own works, or who are not covered by the main contractor’s policy. We check the contract so nothing falls between the two.
What contractors all risks insurance covers
The works
Loss of or damage to the permanent works you are building or altering, from the start of the contract until handover.
Materials on site
Materials delivered to site for the works, and often materials in transit or stored off site, as the policy states.
Temporary works
Scaffolding, formwork, hoardings and other temporary works that support the build, where included in the policy.
Debris removal and fees
The cost of clearing up after insured damage, and professional fees to put the works right, where the policy includes them.
Plant and tools
Your own and hired-in plant, tools and site huts can be added, so a theft from site does not stop the job.
Annual or single-project
An annual policy for all your contracts up to a set contract value, or a single-project policy for one job.
Why Choose Forum?
✓ Construction specialists
We know what principal contractors, JCT contracts and site rules ask for, so your cover matches the work you take on.
✓ Flexible Cover
Customise your policy with optional add-ons, different cover limits, and specific trade requirements that suit your business.
✓ Specialist insurers
Access to a 30+ insurer panel, including construction specialists you can’t reach on a comparison site.
✓ Expert Support
Speak with our specialist team for policy advice, contract checks and claims support.
Contractors all risks insurance: your questions
It covers physical loss of or damage to the works you are carrying out, and the materials for them, while the job is under way. Policies usually include temporary works, and can add own and hired-in plant, tools and debris removal. It does not cover your liability for injury to people or damage to other people’s property: that needs public liability insurance.
No law requires it, but most building contracts do. JCT contracts set who must insure the works, usually in joint names, and many clients and lenders will not let work start without it.
Contractors all risks covers the works themselves. Contractors combined insurance puts that cover together with public and employers’ liability, and often plant and tools, in one policy. Many contractors buy CAR as part of a combined policy.
Possibly not for that job. Under some JCT insurance options the employer insures the works in joint names, which protects you as well. Check the contract, or send it to us: you may still need cover for your plant, tools and other contracts.
Yes. You can insure a single contract for its duration, or buy an annual policy that covers all your contracts up to a set contract value.
Common exclusions include the cost of putting right defective design, materials or workmanship themselves (although damage they cause elsewhere may be covered), wear and tear, and losses that cannot be explained. Terms differ between insurers, so we check the wording against the work you do.
It depends on the contract value, the type of work, the site, security, your claims history and the excess you choose. There is no standard price: tell us about the job and we will get you quotes.
Get Your Quote Now
Starting a new contract?
Cover for the works and materials on site, from the first day to handover.