Hired-in Plant Insurance
- Trade insurance policies underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd
- Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
- Save 10% with B&Q TradePoint
- UK-based telephone support
- 40+ years of experience supporting trades
Add hired-in plant insurance as an optional extra to your Trade Direct policy. It protects you against liability for damage, theft, or loss while equipment is on-site or in transit.
What is hired-in plant insurance?
Hired-in plant insurance is an optional extra that can be added to your trade insurance policy. It covers your legal liability under your hiring agreement if hired machinery or equipment is accidentally damaged while in your custody, control, or during transit under agreed conditions.
This means the policy can help cover the costs you’re responsible for paying to the hire company, including agreed compensation and legal defence costs (with insurer consent).
Insurance for plant hire can include:
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Hired-in machinery and equipment: diggers, forklifts, scaffolding, generators, temporary buildings, and site offices.
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Liability for costs under the terms of your hire agreement.
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Coverage while plant is in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and the EU.
Contact our UK-based team to see how this optional cover can protect your business and manage the risks associated with hired-in plant, or get a quote to see what costs could look like for you.
How much does hired-in plant insurance cost?
The cost of adding plant hire insurance to your policy depends on the work you do, the type of coverage you choose, and the specifics of your hire arrangements. Because cover is based on your legal liability under the hire agreement, premiums are tailored to reflect the risks your business may face.
Factors that can affect your hired plant insurance cost include:
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Type and value of hired plant or equipment
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Number of employees or subcontractors responsible for the equipment
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Duration of hire or frequency of use
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Overall level of cover required (policy limits)
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Previous claims history or risk profile of your business
Because each situation is unique, the most accurate way to see what cover could cost is to request a personalised quote.
Why UK contractors need hired-in plant insurance
Hired-in plant and equipment is a significant investment, and under your hire agreement, you may be liable for any damage. Having hired-in plant insurance ensures that you and your business are protected against financial risks arising from your responsibility for hired equipment.
Hired plant insurance can help to keep you protected from:
✔ Legal liability under the hire agreement for damage to hired-in plant while in your custody or control
✔ Accidental damage to equipment during transit or use, as covered under the policy
✔ Costs for continuing hire charges, up to the agreed limit, if equipment is damaged and you remain liable
✔ Reasonable costs for recovering hired-in plant that becomes immobilised during normal operation
What can hired-in plant insurance cover?
What can be covered
✔ Legal liability under your hire agreement to pay compensation for damage to hired-in plant while in your custody or control.
✔ Legal liability for damage to plant you re-hire under standard CPHA conditions (or as otherwise agreed).
✔ Cover for hired-in plant within Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and the EU.
✔ Legal costs for defence of proceedings incurred with written consent of the insurer.
✔ Continued hire charges you are liable for following damage to hired-in plant (up to £50,000 per occurrence).
✔ Reasonable recovery costs for plant that becomes immobilised during normal operation (excluding electrical or mechanical breakdown).
What can’t be covered
✗ Airborne or waterborne craft (except non-powered craft).
✗ Mechanically propelled vehicles licensed for road use (unless designed primarily as a tool of trade) or already insured elsewhere.
✗ Mechanical or electrical breakdown during plant recovery.
✗ Recovery costs for plant located underground.
✗ Hire charges for the first 24 hours after damage or exceeding three months after damage.
✗ Damage caused by multiple lifts outside BS7121 compliance, overload testing, or acts of terrorism as defined in the policy.
✗ Any work or loss occurring outside the policy period or not agreed with the insurer.
Why choose Trade Direct for hired-in plant insurance?
Our insurance for plant hire is simple, straightforward, and built around how your business works.
✔ Over 40 years supporting UK trades
✔ Trade insurance policies underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
✔ Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
✔ UK-based support team
✔ Cover for over 70 recognised trades
✔ Flexible cover for Sole Traders and businesses
✔ 10% B&Q TradePoint discount available
Adding hired-in plant cover to your policy
Hired-in plant cover is designed to complement your existing trade insurance, giving extra protection for rented equipment without changing your standard liability cover.
Here’s how to get covered:
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New policy: Select hired-in plant as an optional extra when building your quote.
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Existing policy holders: Call our UK-based team on 0808 2816 608 to add it to your current policy.
Adding this optional cover can help protect your business when using hired-in plant, giving you peace of mind on-site and in transit.
Other optional extras for your policy
You can also add the following extras to tailor your policy to your business needs:
✔ Contract Works – cover for ongoing building projects
✔ Stock in Transit cover– protection for materials while being moved
✔ Owned Plant– cover for plant equipment you own
✔ Jury Service cover– maintain income if you’re called for jury duty
Who and what we cover
Trades & work covered
✔ Bricklayers, builders, electricians, roofers, landscapers, tree surgeons
✔ Contractors using plant machinery
✔ Self-employed or subcontracted trades
Businesses we cover
✔ Partnerships
✔ Limited companies
✔ Limited liability partnerships
✔ Trade businesses of all sizes
Benefits of hired-in plant insurance
Hired-in plant insurance helps contractors manage the financial risks associated with rented equipment. Cover protects the plant itself against damage or theft, as well as your legal liability under the hire agreement.
Key benefits include:
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Protects your business from liability claims if hired plant is damaged while in your care or in transit.
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Covers legal costs for defending claims related to hired equipment.
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Helps pay continuing hire charges for equipment you are legally responsible for under your hire agreement.
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Supports business continuity by reducing unexpected financial burdens.
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Demonstrates professionalism and responsibility to clients and hire companies.
Related Insurances
Contract Works Insurance
Protect your ongoing projects and the materials you use.
Tools Insurance
Protect your portable tools and equipment with cover up to £15,000.
Van Insurance
Can cover vehicles transporting hired plant, tools, equipment, and more.
Get your hired-in plant insurance quote today
Protect your business and your legal liability for hired-in plant with Trade Direct Insurance. Quickly get a quote online, or speak to our friendly UK-based team for expert guidance on adding this optional extra to your policy.