Builder Insurance for Small Businesses
You Take Care of the Build. We’ve Got the Insurance.
Building projects are rarely straightforward. You’re managing subbies, machinery, site safety, deadlines, and strict contract terms, with plenty that can go wrong along the way. One mistake and you’re looking at damage, injuries, or a project grinding to a halt.
That’s why we tailor builders insurance so it fits the way you actually work. It’s quick to set up, clear to understand, and structured to keep you compliant with councils, contracts, and clients, without the jargon.
You need insurance that’s built for real site risks, not just contract clauses.
Construction Workflows Are Complex. Your Insurance Shouldn’t Be.
Whether you are delivering residential communities, institutional facilities, industrial assets or complex commercial developments, the operational and contractual pressures are significant. Delays, compliance breaches or uninsured losses can materially affect project timelines and profitability.
If your business is managing subcontractors, contract risk, multiple sites or high-value assets, your builder insurance program must extend beyond standard coverage. It should be structured to support delivery, meet contractual and regulatory requirements and give your team the confidence to move forward without interruption.
At All Trades Cover, we work with mid-sized and larger building companies across residential, commercial, industrial and government sectors to develop insurance programs that align with your operational model, safeguard your project pipeline and support continuity across every stage of delivery.
Insurance Designed for Each Phase of Construction
Running a building business means taking on real risks every day, and your insurance needs to keep pace, not tie you up with red tape.
You might be dealing with:
- Councils, banks, or head contractors demanding Certificates of Currency with exact wording
- Contracts loaded with terms like Principal’s Indemnity, Waiver of Subrogation, or Cross Liability
- Tools, plant, and materials that need proper protection on site or in the ute
- Subbies coming and going, each bringing different risks
- Project values that shift and need to stay within your cover limits
You don’t need delays or jargon. Just builders insurance that lines up with your contracts, keeps you compliant, and lets you get back to the job.
Tailored Insurance Programs for Construction Professionals
Mid-sized construction companies manage far more than bricks and budgets. You’re overseeing contracts, teams, equipment, and delivery timelines across high-value projects where expectations are high and accountability is non-negotiable.
You may be managing:
- Contract conditions with detailed insurance provisions, including liability limits, indemnity clauses, and subcontractor coverage requirements
- Staged or multi-storey developments where site access, sequencing, and safety obligations shift regularly
- Tools, plant, and temporary structures under lease, dry hire, or shared use, often across multiple concurrent sites
- Client, council, or financier requests for tailored Certificates of Currency, endorsements, and project-specific policy wording
- Coordination of multiple trades, consultants, and subcontractors operating under fixed-price contracts and compressed schedules
What Insurance Do You Need as a Small Building Contractor?
In construction, builders deal with a unique mix of risks that most trades never encounter. From handling subcontractors and heavy machinery to meeting tight deadlines, public safety obligations, and strict contractual demands, every project carries extra pressure.
Builders insurance keeps you covered, compliant, and confident on site. We tailor the types of cover to fit your business, the projects you take on, and the way your crew works.
Plus, you could be responsible for things outside your control during the build, like storm damage, fire, vandalism, or flood, which is why having the right insurance in place matters from day one.
Public Liability Insurance
Contract Works Insurance
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Personal Accident & Illness Insurance
Workers Compensation Insurance
Tools & Equipment Insurance
Commercial Motor Insurance
Builders Warranty Insurance
Construction Insurance
Tax Audit Insurance
Project-Specific Endorsements
Public Liability Insurance
Builders Public Liability Insurance is one of the most important covers you can have on site. It protects you if your work causes injury or damage to third parties, whether that’s a site accident, falling debris, or damage to a neighbouring property.
Most contracts require builders’ liability insurance, and you’ll usually need to show between $5 million and $20 million in coverage, depending on the project. Councils, developers, and principal contractors often won’t let you start until your policy and Certificates of Currency are in place.
It’s important to know they don’t check the fine print; just that the policy exists and the limits are correct. That means it’s up to your broker (or you, if you’re arranging it yourself) to make sure the policy actually covers the risks in your scope of work.
This can mean:
- Naming the principal contractor on your policy
- Adding clauses like Principal’s Indemnity or Cross Liability
- Confirming your liability insurance for building contractors meets the site contract requirements
With All Trades Cover, you’ll get tailored Builders Public Liability insurance that’s designed for the risks you face every day, including:
- Residential, commercial, and civil building projects
- Subcontractors, labour hire, and multiple trades on site
- Site risks like scaffolding, excavation, or demolition
- Flexible cover limits, $5m, $10m or $20m or more
- Contract-specific endorsements for compliance with principal and council requirements
Fast Certificates of Currency with the right wording so you’re cleared to start work on time
Contract Works Insurance
Contract Works Insurance is the policy that covers the build itself, from the first shovel in the ground to the final handover. It protects your materials, labour, and works in progress if something goes wrong during construction, like fire, storm damage, theft, or vandalism.
If you’re building new homes, doing fit-outs, running multi-site projects, or managing large-scale commercial or industrial jobs, this cover is a must. Without it, damage to the actual work, even halfway through the job, could come out of your pocket.
Most developers, councils, and principal contractors expect builders’ Contract Works Insurance to be in place before you start. They’ll usually ask for a Certificate of Currency, and the values and wording need to match the contract exactly.
At All Trades Cover, we build Contract Works policies that reflect how you actually operate, not just an off-the-shelf product.
Your cover can include:
- Materials, structures, and temporary works on site
- Fire, storm, theft, malicious damage and natural disasters
- Subbie and equipment risks while the site is active
- Existing structures or principal-supplied materials (if required)
- Design and Construct risks if you’re responsible for design or sign-off
- Defect liability period extensions
- Single job or annual cover if you’re running multiple builds
- Fast, compliant certificates for developers, councils, or lenders
How we help builders stay covered
Policy Setup
- Advice on single project vs annual policies
- Help setting realistic Maximum Project Values so you’re not underinsured
- Add-ons for design responsibility, existing buildings, or special project conditions
Project Reporting
- Support with mid-year adjustments or turnover changes
- Help declaring your jobs the right way so you don’t breach your policy
- Keeping things clear for audits, lenders, or insurers
Contract Compliance
- Quick Certificates of Currency that actually match the contract
- Contract clause reviews so you know what insurance terms really mean
- Making sure your cover supports site access, payments, and risk transfer
Your builds are too important to risk on generic cover. We’ll help you sort Contract Works insurance that keeps your jobs protected and your paperwork clean, from site setup to final handover.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
If your responsibilities go beyond just building, like managing consultants, giving advice, or signing off on compliance, then you need to think about Professional Indemnity insurance.
This cover protects your business if someone claims you made a mistake in design, documentation, or technical advice, even if you outsourced the work to a consultant or engineer. It’s especially important if you’re working under a Design & Construct contract, or if you’re coordinating trades and professionals who feed into the build.
At All Trades Cover, we set up Professional Indemnity insurance for builders to match your actual risk and how your projects are run. Your policy can include:
- Cover for claims around design, compliance reports, or advice that went wrong
- Protection, even if the issue came from a subcontracted consultant or engineer
- Clear alignment with your Contract Works and Public Liability policies
- Support for long-tail risks, like defects or disputes that show up years later
- Set up for D&C contracts, council or government frameworks, and multi-site builds
- Certificates that match exactly what clients, councils, or licensing bodies want
Personal Accident & Illness Insurance
Personal Accident and Illness insurance is a must-have if you rely on your ability to work to earn a living. It protects your income if you’re injured or become sick and can’t work, covering both work-related and non-work-related incidents. For builders and tradespeople who work on site every day, where the risk of accidents is higher, it’s essential to have cover to keep life on track if something goes wrong.
Unlike Workers Compensation, which only applies if you’re an employee, this cover is available to sole traders, contractors, and business owners. It means you can still pay bills, mortgage, and everyday expenses while you recover.
With All Trades Cover, you’ll get tailored cover for:
- Weekly benefits if you can’t work due to injury or illness
- Lump sum payments for permanent disability or death
- Flexible waiting periods and benefit periods to suit your needs
- Cover that works alongside your Public Liability and Contract Works insurance
- Protection for you and your family’s financial security
Workers Compensation Insurance
If you employ staff, Workers’ Compensation is a legal requirement. Each state has its own rules, and it’s not always clear who counts as a ‘worker.’ Having the right builders’ Workers Compensation insurance in place makes sure you stay compliant and your crew is protected.
How we support you:
- Arrange cover that meets your state’s requirements (WA and NT direct, advice and referrals for other regions)
- Confirm how your team should be classified to avoid issues at the audit
- Add Principal’s Indemnity if contracts or site agreements demand it
- Help with wage estimates, declarations, and adjustments, including advice on whether working directors need to be covered
- Provide guidance on reporting incidents and lodge claims promptly to avoid delays
- Take care of forms and insurer submissions so the paperwork doesn’t land back on your desk
- Work with insurers to organise light duties, return-to-work plans, and rehabilitation
- Track claim progress to prevent blowouts that can drive premiums higher
When premiums climb because of past claims, we’ll:
- Review your history to spot problem areas
- Present updated safety practices or crew changes to insurers
- Negotiate rates that better reflect your current operations
Even with a clean record, we’ll fight for competitive pricing and ensure your account shows your track record in the right light.
Builders Workers Compensation insurance isn’t optional, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be a burden. It keeps you compliant, protects your people, and helps keep your costs under control.
Tools & Equipment Insurance
Also known as General Property insurance, covers the gear you depend on to get the job done, from power tools and ladders through to plant and machinery. For builders and trades, losing tools to theft, fire, or accidental damage can bring a project to a standstill and hit them hard financially. This cover makes sure you can replace your gear quickly and keep the job moving.
Key areas usually covered include:
- Hand tools, power tools, and trade kits
- Larger equipment like compressors, generators, and concrete mixers
- Plant and machinery, including hired-in equipment
- Theft from locked vehicles, sheds, and job sites
- Options to extend for open-air theft or remote locations
Adding Tools and Equipment cover to your builders insurance package is a smart move if you’re moving between sites or carrying expensive gear. We’ll tailor the cover to match the real value of your tools, line up any high-value items properly, and make sure claims run smoothly so you’re not left waiting and out of pocket when you need replacements.
Commercial Motor Insurance
Your vehicles are the backbone of your building business, moving people, tools, and materials from site to site. Commercial Motor insurance protects those vehicles against accidents, theft, and damage, and covers your liability if they cause injury or property damage on the road.
For builders, it’s not just about covering the ute or van. Many policies can extend to trailers, light trucks, or a whole fleet. You can also add extras like windscreen replacement, hire car cover while your vehicle’s off the road, and protection for vehicles driven by employees or subcontractors.
No matter if you run one ute or a dozen work vehicles, we’ll line up a policy that:
- Use on public roads, work sites, and access tracks
- Trailers, toolboxes, and mounted equipment
- Excess-free windscreen replacement
- Hire vehicle cover to keep you moving after an accident
- Options to meet lender or lease requirements if your vehicle is financed
- Easy adjustments for additions or deletions as your fleet changes
Builders Warranty Insurance
Builders Warranty insurance (also called Home Warranty or Domestic Building insurance, depending on the state) is a legal requirement for most residential building projects over a certain value. You can’t start many domestic jobs without it.
This cover protects the homeowner, not the builder. If the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent before the job is finished, or before defects are fixed, the warranty insurance steps in to cover completion or rectification costs.
Typical requirements include:
- Mandatory for residential projects over $20,000 in most states
- Must be arranged before building permits or contracts can be finalised
- Cover limits vary by state, usually between $200,000 and $300,000
While Builders Warranty insurance doesn’t directly protect your business, it’s essential for compliance. Without it, you won’t get approval to start many jobs, and you could face penalties.
We’ll make sure your Builders Warranty insurance is in place before you sign contracts or apply for permits, and that the policy lines up with your state’s building regulations.
Construction Insurance
Construction insurance is the all-in-one cover that keeps your jobs, your gear, and your crew protected. Instead of juggling half a dozen policies, it pulls the key covers together in one package that actually makes sense for builders.
Construction Insurance often includes:
- Contract Works insurance: Covers the job itself if the site cops it by fire, storm, theft, or accidental damage
- Public Liability insurance: Protects you if someone gets hurt or property gets damaged because of your work
- Tools and Equipment insurance: Keeps your gear covered whether it’s on site, in the ute, or in the shed
- Commercial Motor insurance: Work utes, vans, trucks, and trailers all sorted
- Workers Compensation: If you’ve got staff, this one’s not optional
If you’re doing Design and Construct jobs, or giving clients plans and advice, you’ll want Professional Indemnity insurance for builders. Professional Indemnity has got your back if there’s a stuff-up in the design or paperwork that ends up costing the client money. A standard construction policy won’t cover this.
Tax Audit Insurance
A tax audit can be stressful and expensive, even if you’ve done everything by the book. The ATO can take months to work through your accounts, and in the meantime, you’re left paying accountant and legal fees just to keep up. Tax Audit insurance takes care of those costs so you can focus on running your business.
What’s typically covered:
- Professional fees from accountants, bookkeepers, or lawyers during an ATO audit
- Audits of business tax returns, BAS, and financial record
- Reviews triggered by random checks, not just suspected issues
- Cover for both business and personal returns if you’re a sole trader
For builders and trades, Tax Audit insurance is usually a simple add-on to your business cover. It’s affordable, and it means if the ATO comes calling, you won’t be out of pocket for thousands in professional fees.
Project-Specific Endorsements
Some contracts come with strings attached. Councils, head contractors, or project owners might insist on extra clauses being added to your insurance before you set foot on site. If they’re missing, you risk delays or having the job pulled.
Project-specific endorsements solve this by tailoring your policy and Certificates of Currency to match the contract exactly. Everything lines up, so there’s no doubt your insurance meets the job requirements.
Endorsements often include:
- Principal’s Indemnity
- Cross Liability
- Waiver of Subrogation
- Increased Public Liability limits ($10m, $20m or more)
- Listing councils, head contractors, or clients as interested parties
- Special wording to reflect contract conditions
We’ll sort the endorsements quickly, issue the paperwork with the right wording, and make sure you’ve got what you need to get on site without a hitch.
Public Liability Insurance
Builders Public Liability Insurance is one of the most important covers you can have on site. It protects you if your work causes injury or damage to third parties, whether that’s a site accident, falling debris, or damage to a neighbouring property.
Most contracts require builders’ liability insurance, and you’ll usually need to show between $5 million and $20 million in coverage, depending on the project. Councils, developers, and principal contractors often won’t let you start until your policy and Certificates of Currency are in place.
It’s important to know they don’t check the fine print; just that the policy exists and the limits are correct. That means it’s up to your broker (or you, if you’re arranging it yourself) to make sure the policy actually covers the risks in your scope of work.
This can mean:
- Naming the principal contractor on your policy
- Adding clauses like Principal’s Indemnity or Cross Liability
- Confirming your liability insurance for building contractors meets the site contract requirements
With All Trades Cover, you’ll get tailored Builders Public Liability insurance that’s designed for the risks you face every day, including:
- Residential, commercial, and civil building projects
- Subcontractors, labour hire, and multiple trades on site
- Site risks like scaffolding, excavation, or demolition
- Flexible cover limits, $5m, $10m or $20m or more
- Contract-specific endorsements for compliance with principal and council requirements
Fast Certificates of Currency with the right wording so you’re cleared to start work on time
Contract Works Insurance
Contract Works Insurance is the policy that covers the build itself, from the first shovel in the ground to the final handover. It protects your materials, labour, and works in progress if something goes wrong during construction, like fire, storm damage, theft, or vandalism.
If you’re building new homes, doing fit-outs, running multi-site projects, or managing large-scale commercial or industrial jobs, this cover is a must. Without it, damage to the actual work, even halfway through the job, could come out of your pocket.
Most developers, councils, and principal contractors expect builders’ Contract Works Insurance to be in place before you start. They’ll usually ask for a Certificate of Currency, and the values and wording need to match the contract exactly.
At All Trades Cover, we build Contract Works policies that reflect how you actually operate, not just an off-the-shelf product.
Your cover can include:
- Materials, structures, and temporary works on site
- Fire, storm, theft, malicious damage and natural disasters
- Subbie and equipment risks while the site is active
- Existing structures or principal-supplied materials (if required)
- Design and Construct risks if you’re responsible for design or sign-off
- Defect liability period extensions
- Single job or annual cover if you’re running multiple builds
- Fast, compliant certificates for developers, councils, or lenders
How we help builders stay covered
Policy Setup
- Advice on single project vs annual policies
- Help setting realistic Maximum Project Values so you’re not underinsured
- Add-ons for design responsibility, existing buildings, or special project conditions
Project Reporting
- Support with mid-year adjustments or turnover changes
- Help declaring your jobs the right way so you don’t breach your policy
- Keeping things clear for audits, lenders, or insurers
Contract Compliance
- Quick Certificates of Currency that actually match the contract
- Contract clause reviews so you know what insurance terms really mean
- Making sure your cover supports site access, payments, and risk transfer
Your builds are too important to risk on generic cover. We’ll help you sort Contract Works insurance that keeps your jobs protected and your paperwork clean, from site setup to final handover.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
If your responsibilities go beyond just building, like managing consultants, giving advice, or signing off on compliance, then you need to think about Professional Indemnity insurance.
This cover protects your business if someone claims you made a mistake in design, documentation, or technical advice, even if you outsourced the work to a consultant or engineer. It’s especially important if you’re working under a Design & Construct contract, or if you’re coordinating trades and professionals who feed into the build.
At All Trades Cover, we set up Professional Indemnity insurance for builders to match your actual risk and how your projects are run. Your policy can include:
- Cover for claims around design, compliance reports, or advice that went wrong
- Protection, even if the issue came from a subcontracted consultant or engineer
- Clear alignment with your Contract Works and Public Liability policies
- Support for long-tail risks, like defects or disputes that show up years later
- Set up for D&C contracts, council or government frameworks, and multi-site builds
- Certificates that match exactly what clients, councils, or licensing bodies want
Personal Accident & Illness Insurance
Personal Accident and Illness insurance is a must-have if you rely on your ability to work to earn a living. It protects your income if you’re injured or become sick and can’t work, covering both work-related and non-work-related incidents. For builders and tradespeople who work on site every day, where the risk of accidents is higher, it’s essential to have cover to keep life on track if something goes wrong.
Unlike Workers Compensation, which only applies if you’re an employee, this cover is available to sole traders, contractors, and business owners. It means you can still pay bills, mortgage, and everyday expenses while you recover.
With All Trades Cover, you’ll get tailored cover for:
- Weekly benefits if you can’t work due to injury or illness
- Lump sum payments for permanent disability or death
- Flexible waiting periods and benefit periods to suit your needs
- Cover that works alongside your Public Liability and Contract Works insurance
- Protection for you and your family’s financial security
Workers Compensation Insurance
If you employ staff, Workers’ Compensation is a legal requirement. Each state has its own rules, and it’s not always clear who counts as a ‘worker.’ Having the right builders’ Workers Compensation insurance in place makes sure you stay compliant and your crew is protected.
How we support you:
- Arrange cover that meets your state’s requirements (WA and NT direct, advice and referrals for other regions)
- Confirm how your team should be classified to avoid issues at the audit
- Add Principal’s Indemnity if contracts or site agreements demand it
- Help with wage estimates, declarations, and adjustments, including advice on whether working directors need to be covered
- Provide guidance on reporting incidents and lodge claims promptly to avoid delays
- Take care of forms and insurer submissions so the paperwork doesn’t land back on your desk
- Work with insurers to organise light duties, return-to-work plans, and rehabilitation
- Track claim progress to prevent blowouts that can drive premiums higher
When premiums climb because of past claims, we’ll:
- Review your history to spot problem areas
- Present updated safety practices or crew changes to insurers
- Negotiate rates that better reflect your current operations
Even with a clean record, we’ll fight for competitive pricing and ensure your account shows your track record in the right light.
Builders Workers Compensation insurance isn’t optional, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be a burden. It keeps you compliant, protects your people, and helps keep your costs under control.
Tools & Equipment Insurance
Also known as General Property insurance, covers the gear you depend on to get the job done, from power tools and ladders through to plant and machinery. For builders and trades, losing tools to theft, fire, or accidental damage can bring a project to a standstill and hit them hard financially. This cover makes sure you can replace your gear quickly and keep the job moving.
Key areas usually covered include:
- Hand tools, power tools, and trade kits
- Larger equipment like compressors, generators, and concrete mixers
- Plant and machinery, including hired-in equipment
- Theft from locked vehicles, sheds, and job sites
- Options to extend for open-air theft or remote locations
Adding Tools and Equipment cover to your builders insurance package is a smart move if you’re moving between sites or carrying expensive gear. We’ll tailor the cover to match the real value of your tools, line up any high-value items properly, and make sure claims run smoothly so you’re not left waiting and out of pocket when you need replacements.
Commercial Motor Insurance
Your vehicles are the backbone of your building business, moving people, tools, and materials from site to site. Commercial Motor insurance protects those vehicles against accidents, theft, and damage, and covers your liability if they cause injury or property damage on the road.
For builders, it’s not just about covering the ute or van. Many policies can extend to trailers, light trucks, or a whole fleet. You can also add extras like windscreen replacement, hire car cover while your vehicle’s off the road, and protection for vehicles driven by employees or subcontractors.
No matter if you run one ute or a dozen work vehicles, we’ll line up a policy that:
- Use on public roads, work sites, and access tracks
- Trailers, toolboxes, and mounted equipment
- Excess-free windscreen replacement
- Hire vehicle cover to keep you moving after an accident
- Options to meet lender or lease requirements if your vehicle is financed
- Easy adjustments for additions or deletions as your fleet changes
Builders Warranty Insurance
Builders Warranty insurance (also called Home Warranty or Domestic Building insurance, depending on the state) is a legal requirement for most residential building projects over a certain value. You can’t start many domestic jobs without it.
This cover protects the homeowner, not the builder. If the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent before the job is finished, or before defects are fixed, the warranty insurance steps in to cover completion or rectification costs.
Typical requirements include:
- Mandatory for residential projects over $20,000 in most states
- Must be arranged before building permits or contracts can be finalised
- Cover limits vary by state, usually between $200,000 and $300,000
While Builders Warranty insurance doesn’t directly protect your business, it’s essential for compliance. Without it, you won’t get approval to start many jobs, and you could face penalties.
We’ll make sure your Builders Warranty insurance is in place before you sign contracts or apply for permits, and that the policy lines up with your state’s building regulations.
Construction Insurance
Construction insurance is the all-in-one cover that keeps your jobs, your gear, and your crew protected. Instead of juggling half a dozen policies, it pulls the key covers together in one package that actually makes sense for builders.
Construction Insurance often includes:
- Contract Works insurance: Covers the job itself if the site cops it by fire, storm, theft, or accidental damage
- Public Liability insurance: Protects you if someone gets hurt or property gets damaged because of your work
- Tools and Equipment insurance: Keeps your gear covered whether it’s on site, in the ute, or in the shed
- Commercial Motor insurance: Work utes, vans, trucks, and trailers all sorted
- Workers Compensation: If you’ve got staff, this one’s not optional
If you’re doing Design and Construct jobs, or giving clients plans and advice, you’ll want Professional Indemnity insurance for builders. Professional Indemnity has got your back if there’s a stuff-up in the design or paperwork that ends up costing the client money. A standard construction policy won’t cover this.
Tax Audit Insurance
A tax audit can be stressful and expensive, even if you’ve done everything by the book. The ATO can take months to work through your accounts, and in the meantime, you’re left paying accountant and legal fees just to keep up. Tax Audit insurance takes care of those costs so you can focus on running your business.
What’s typically covered:
- Professional fees from accountants, bookkeepers, or lawyers during an ATO audit
- Audits of business tax returns, BAS, and financial record
- Reviews triggered by random checks, not just suspected issues
- Cover for both business and personal returns if you’re a sole trader
For builders and trades, Tax Audit insurance is usually a simple add-on to your business cover. It’s affordable, and it means if the ATO comes calling, you won’t be out of pocket for thousands in professional fees.
Project-Specific Endorsements
Some contracts come with strings attached. Councils, head contractors, or project owners might insist on extra clauses being added to your insurance before you set foot on site. If they’re missing, you risk delays or having the job pulled.
Project-specific endorsements solve this by tailoring your policy and Certificates of Currency to match the contract exactly. Everything lines up, so there’s no doubt your insurance meets the job requirements.
Endorsements often include:
- Principal’s Indemnity
- Cross Liability
- Waiver of Subrogation
- Increased Public Liability limits ($10m, $20m or more)
- Listing councils, head contractors, or clients as interested parties
- Special wording to reflect contract conditions
We’ll sort the endorsements quickly, issue the paperwork with the right wording, and make sure you’ve got what you need to get on site without a hitch.
What Insurance Do You Need as a Mid-Sized Building Contractor?
Public Liability Insurance
Contract Works Insurance
General Property Insurance
Workers Compensation Insurance
Motor Fleet Insurance
Builders Warranty Insurance
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Management Liability/ Directors & Officers
Corporate Travel Insurance
Project-Specific Endorsements
Tax Audit Insurance
Public Liability Insurance
Builders Public Liability Insurance is non-negotiable when you’re managing active sites, subcontractors, or working under complex contracts. Whether you’re building homes, retail fit-outs, or multi-level commercial projects, a single claim for third-party injury or property damage can stall progress, delay payments, and put your business at risk.
Most contracts require Public Liability for builders between $5 million and $20 million, and sometimes more. Councils, developers, and head contractors will also expect:
- The principal contractor named on your policy
- Principal’s Indemnity and Cross Liability clauses clearly included
- A Certificate of Currency that matches contract wording and limits exactly
At All Trades Cover, we tailor Builders Public Liability Insurance to align with your operations, not just your licence class. We understand the risks builders face on and off site and ensure your policy reflects how you actually work:
Our Builders Liability Insurance programs support:
- Multi-site projects, subcontractor exposure, and complex contract conditions
- High-risk work like scaffolding, demolition, and excavation
- Contract-ready certificates issued quickly with the correct terms and limits
- Full integration with Contract Works, Professional Indemnity insurance for builders, and broader builders General Liability Insurance as part of your business insurance strategy
We work directly with project managers, construction leads, and compliance teams to ensure your builders General Liability insurance meets contract terms, regulatory requirements, and project delivery goals, helping you stay covered and on site.
Contract Works Insurance
Builders Contract Works Insurance protects your projects during construction. It covers materials, labour, and works in progress against loss, damage, or destruction before completion or handover.
Whether you are delivering residential developments, townhouse estates, commercial fit-outs, government infrastructure, or industrial facilities, this cover is essential for risk protection and contract compliance when unexpected delays or damage occur.
At All Trades Cover, we build building contractor insurance programs tailored to your project pipeline, site conditions, and contractual obligations. Your policy is structured around how you operate, not just standardised templates.
Your coverage can include:
- Protection for materials, structures, and temporary works under construction
- Cover for fire, storm, theft, malicious damage, and other construction risks
- Subcontractor and equipment exposure on active building sites
- Flexibility for multi-stage, multi-site, and design-and-construct project types
- Integration with liability insurance for building contractors, Professional Indemnity, and broader business insurance for third-party injury or property damage
- Contract-compliant Certificates of Currency for councils, developers, financiers, and principal contractors
- Options for single project policies or annual cover across multiple concurrent builds
- End-to-end claims support, including preparation, documentation, and negotiation
How we support construction businesses
Policy Structuring
- Advice on Single Project vs Annual cover
- Setting accurate Maximum Project Value, Maximum Project Duration and Total Project Value
- Inclusion of existing structure cover, principal-supplied materials, or design liabilities
- Extension into the Defects Liability Period where required
Project Reporting
- Mid-term turnover adjustments and scope changes
- Clear guidance on project declarations to avoid underinsurance
- Monitoring of thresholds to prevent policy breaches or rating increases
- Documentation ready for audits, financiers or insurer review
Contract Compliance
- Fast issue of fully compliant Certificates of Currency
- Contract clause reviews to identify insurance implications
- Ensuring your cover supports access, payment terms and risk transfer requirements
Your projects are too complex to rely on generic cover. We help structure Contract Works Insurance that supports delivery across every site, sector and stage of the build.
General Property Insurance
Also referred to as Tools and Equipment insurance, General Property insurance protects the essential equipment your building projects rely on. If tools are stolen, lost, or damaged, whether on-site, in transit, or stored at your yard, this cover helps you replace them quickly and minimise disruption.
For builders managing multiple sites, subcontractors, and high-value equipment, this policy provides practical, day-to-day protection for the assets that keep your team working.
Your cover can include:
- Power tools, hand tools, and trade-specific equipment
- Laser levels, saws, drills, and site gear
- Items stored in utes, trailers, lockboxes, or site sheds
- Optional protection for open-air theft and high-risk locations
- Flexible limits tailored to your project scale and asset value
General Property insurance complements your Public Liability insurance by covering the physical tools and equipment used on site. It helps reduce downtime, supports project continuity, and ensures you are not left out of pocket when equipment goes missing or is damaged.
Workers Compensation Insurance
Once your business puts employees on the tools, builders’ Workers’ Compensation Insurance becomes a legal requirement. Without it, you risk fines, audits, and serious financial exposure if someone is injured on site.
In construction, the lines aren’t always clear, particularly when it comes to subcontractors, apprentices, or working directors. With regulations varying state by state ,getting it wrong can be costly for your business.
Our insurance support includes:
- Setting up compliant policies for WA and guidance across other states
- Correctly classifying employees, labour hire, and working directors
- Help with wage estimates, premium declarations, and annual adjustments
- Providing Principal’s Indemnity when required for site or contract access
- End-to-end claims management, including support through recovery and return-to-work plans
- Ongoing monitoring to help prevent unnecessary premium increases
If you’ve had claims in the past, we can:
- Analyse your history to identify issues and risk trends
- Work with insurers to improve pricing based on better safety or crew changes
- Build a strategy to reduce your premium over time
If your record is clean, we help you keep it that way:
- Securing competitive terms and insurer flexibility
- Making sure your industry classification matches how you actually operate
Whether you’ve got a few staff or a full crew across multiple sites, we make sure your Workers’ Compensation insurance is structured to support your operations, meet compliance standards, and protect your people.
Motor Fleet Insurance
Whether you operate a single ute or a fleet of service vehicles, keeping your team mobile is essential. Commercial Motor and Fleet insurance protects your vehicles from accidents, theft, and damage, reducing downtime and keeping projects on track.
This cover is purpose-built for builders and construction businesses with vehicles operating across sites, depots, and transit routes.
Your policy can include:
- Comprehensive cover for utes, trucks, trailers, and service vehicles
- Fire, theft, collision, and accidental damage
- Third-party property damage and personal injury liability
- Windscreen and glass replacement
- New-for-old replacement on eligible vehicles
- Market or agreed value settlement
- Hire vehicle cover following an insured event
- Flexible excess and premium options
For larger fleets, we can consolidate your vehicles under a single policy, simplifying renewals, reducing costs, and easing the administrative load.
Builders Warranty Insurance
Builders Warranty insurance is a mandatory requirement for most residential building projects across Australia. It protects the homeowner if you’re unable to complete the job or fix defects due to insolvency, death, or disappearance.
This cover is typically required before building permits are issued or deposits are accepted and must align with each state’s regulations and project scope.
At All Trades Cover, we arrange compliant Builders Warranty policies that support:
- New home construction, renovations, and extensions
- Owner-builder and licensed builder projects
- Fast Certificate turnaround to meet permit and funding deadlines
- State-specific guidance to ensure full compliance
- Ongoing support with documentation, renewals, and eligibility requirements
Whether you’re lodging a single project or need ongoing warranty support, we ensure your cover is in place so there are no delays at the approval stage or settlement.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Professional Indemnity insurance for builders protects your business when your responsibility extends beyond the physical build and into areas like design, documentation, or compliance sign-off. It covers claims that arise from professional advice, technical input, or certification errors, even if the work was completed by a subcontracted consultant.
This type of policy is essential for builders working under Design and Construct contracts, as well as those managing engineers, architects, or certifiers as part of the project delivery.
At All Trades Cover, we structure builders Public Indemnity insurance to align with your construction risk profile and contract terms. Your cover can include:
- Protection against claims of negligence in design, documentation, or advice
- Coverage for design risk transferred through contracts or consultant coordination
- Policy alignment across Contract Works, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity
- Support for long-tail defect claims, compliance disputes, and legal defence
- Structuring for D&C contracts, government frameworks, and multi-site operations
- Tailored Certificates of Currency for contract submission or licensing requirements
If you’re providing advice, managing consultants, or delivering projects with compliance obligations, Professional Indemnity insurance for builders is not optional; it’s critical cover that protects your financial position, legal liability, and ability to keep building.
Management Liability/ Directors & Officers
As a building company grows, so does the scope of responsibility, not just on site, but in how the business is managed. Management Liability insurance protects both the business and its key decision-makers against claims linked to company oversight, legal obligations, and internal conduct.
Unlike site-based risks, these exposures stem from the decisions made at a leadership level. This could involve employment matters, regulatory breaches, financial oversight, or how you manage subcontractor relationships.
This cover can include:
- Directors & Officers Liability, protecting individuals in leadership roles from claims related to business decisions
- Employment Practices Liability for disputes involving unfair dismissal, discrimination, or workplace conduct
- Statutory Liability for fines or investigations under WHS, tax, or corporate law (where insurable)
- Crime Cover for losses from internal fraud or employee dishonesty
- Tax Audit Cover to support professional costs during ATO or regulatory reviews
This type of insurance is particularly valuable for building businesses that manage staff, subbies, multiple entities, or commercial contracts where compliance and conduct are under closer scrutiny.
Corporate Travel Insurance
Corporate Travel insurance provides essential protection for directors, staff, and contractors while they’re conducting business away from home.
This policy safeguards your people and operations against unexpected disruptions, including medical emergencies, travel delays, or lost equipment, helping reduce financial exposure and keep business running smoothly.
Key inclusions can cover:
- Emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation
- Trip cancellations, interruptions, or delays
- Loss or damage to tools, equipment, documents, or personal items
- Personal accident cover while travelling for work
- Rental vehicle excess
- Optional cover for accompanying spouses or executives
At All Trades Cover, we arrange Corporate Travel insurance programs designed for construction and trade businesses with mobile teams and multi-site operations. Whether it’s site inspections, client meetings, or supplier travel, we ensure your people are protected and your projects stay on track.
Project-Specific Endorsements
When delivering commercial, government, or infrastructure construction projects, your insurance may need to be adjusted to meet the specific terms set out in contract documents. Project-specific endorsements ensure your policy aligns with the requirements of head contractors, councils, or asset owners, and that you’re cleared to access the site, commence works, or receive progress payments.
These endorsements are commonly required to:
- Name the principal contractor, council, or client as an interested party
- Extend Public Liability insurance to a specific project or scope of work
- Satisfy contract clauses such as Principal’s Indemnity, Cross Liability, or Waiver of Subrogation
- Meet mandated cover limits, often $10 million or $20 million or more, depending on project scale
- Provide Certificates of Currency with precise wording, policy references, and endorsement details
For builders engaged in regulated or large-scale works, these adjustments are often non-negotiable for contract execution and compliance.
Tax Audit Insurance
As your building business grows, so does your visibility to regulators. A routine audit from the ATO or other government body can quickly lead to significant costs, even if your records are in order.
Tax Audit insurance covers the professional fees associated with responding to official audits, reviews, or investigations into your tax, payroll, or financial reporting obligations.
This cover can apply to:
- ATO income tax and GST audits
- Payroll tax, superannuation, or WorkCover reviews
- BAS and FBT compliance checks
- ASIC, Fair Work, or WHS-related financial investigations
- Professional fees from accountants, lawyers, or consultants
At All Trades Cover, we help construction businesses reduce the cost and disruption of audits, with cover that supports your team, protects cash flow, and keeps your focus on the job.
Public Liability Insurance
Builders Public Liability Insurance is non-negotiable when you’re managing active sites, subcontractors, or working under complex contracts. Whether you’re building homes, retail fit-outs, or multi-level commercial projects, a single claim for third-party injury or property damage can stall progress, delay payments, and put your business at risk.
Most contracts require Public Liability for builders between $5 million and $20 million, and sometimes more. Councils, developers, and head contractors will also expect:
- The principal contractor named on your policy
- Principal’s Indemnity and Cross Liability clauses clearly included
- A Certificate of Currency that matches contract wording and limits exactly
At All Trades Cover, we tailor Builders Public Liability Insurance to align with your operations, not just your licence class. We understand the risks builders face on and off site and ensure your policy reflects how you actually work:
Our Builders Liability Insurance programs support:
- Multi-site projects, subcontractor exposure, and complex contract conditions
- High-risk work like scaffolding, demolition, and excavation
- Contract-ready certificates issued quickly with the correct terms and limits
- Full integration with Contract Works, Professional Indemnity insurance for builders, and broader builders General Liability Insurance as part of your business insurance strategy
We work directly with project managers, construction leads, and compliance teams to ensure your builders General Liability insurance meets contract terms, regulatory requirements, and project delivery goals, helping you stay covered and on site.
Contract Works Insurance
Builders Contract Works Insurance protects your projects during construction. It covers materials, labour, and works in progress against loss, damage, or destruction before completion or handover.
Whether you are delivering residential developments, townhouse estates, commercial fit-outs, government infrastructure, or industrial facilities, this cover is essential for risk protection and contract compliance when unexpected delays or damage occur.
At All Trades Cover, we build building contractor insurance programs tailored to your project pipeline, site conditions, and contractual obligations. Your policy is structured around how you operate, not just standardised templates.
Your coverage can include:
- Protection for materials, structures, and temporary works under construction
- Cover for fire, storm, theft, malicious damage, and other construction risks
- Subcontractor and equipment exposure on active building sites
- Flexibility for multi-stage, multi-site, and design-and-construct project types
- Integration with liability insurance for building contractors, Professional Indemnity, and broader business insurance for third-party injury or property damage
- Contract-compliant Certificates of Currency for councils, developers, financiers, and principal contractors
- Options for single project policies or annual cover across multiple concurrent builds
- End-to-end claims support, including preparation, documentation, and negotiation
How we support construction businesses
Policy Structuring
- Advice on Single Project vs Annual cover
- Setting accurate Maximum Project Value, Maximum Project Duration and Total Project Value
- Inclusion of existing structure cover, principal-supplied materials, or design liabilities
- Extension into the Defects Liability Period where required
Project Reporting
- Mid-term turnover adjustments and scope changes
- Clear guidance on project declarations to avoid underinsurance
- Monitoring of thresholds to prevent policy breaches or rating increases
- Documentation ready for audits, financiers or insurer review
Contract Compliance
- Fast issue of fully compliant Certificates of Currency
- Contract clause reviews to identify insurance implications
- Ensuring your cover supports access, payment terms and risk transfer requirements
Your projects are too complex to rely on generic cover. We help structure Contract Works Insurance that supports delivery across every site, sector and stage of the build.
General Property Insurance
Also referred to as Tools and Equipment insurance, General Property insurance protects the essential equipment your building projects rely on. If tools are stolen, lost, or damaged, whether on-site, in transit, or stored at your yard, this cover helps you replace them quickly and minimise disruption.
For builders managing multiple sites, subcontractors, and high-value equipment, this policy provides practical, day-to-day protection for the assets that keep your team working.
Your cover can include:
- Power tools, hand tools, and trade-specific equipment
- Laser levels, saws, drills, and site gear
- Items stored in utes, trailers, lockboxes, or site sheds
- Optional protection for open-air theft and high-risk locations
- Flexible limits tailored to your project scale and asset value
General Property insurance complements your Public Liability insurance by covering the physical tools and equipment used on site. It helps reduce downtime, supports project continuity, and ensures you are not left out of pocket when equipment goes missing or is damaged.
Workers Compensation Insurance
Once your business puts employees on the tools, builders’ Workers’ Compensation Insurance becomes a legal requirement. Without it, you risk fines, audits, and serious financial exposure if someone is injured on site.
In construction, the lines aren’t always clear, particularly when it comes to subcontractors, apprentices, or working directors. With regulations varying state by state ,getting it wrong can be costly for your business.
Our insurance support includes:
- Setting up compliant policies for WA and guidance across other states
- Correctly classifying employees, labour hire, and working directors
- Help with wage estimates, premium declarations, and annual adjustments
- Providing Principal’s Indemnity when required for site or contract access
- End-to-end claims management, including support through recovery and return-to-work plans
- Ongoing monitoring to help prevent unnecessary premium increases
If you’ve had claims in the past, we can:
- Analyse your history to identify issues and risk trends
- Work with insurers to improve pricing based on better safety or crew changes
- Build a strategy to reduce your premium over time
If your record is clean, we help you keep it that way:
- Securing competitive terms and insurer flexibility
- Making sure your industry classification matches how you actually operate
Whether you’ve got a few staff or a full crew across multiple sites, we make sure your Workers’ Compensation insurance is structured to support your operations, meet compliance standards, and protect your people.
Motor Fleet Insurance
Whether you operate a single ute or a fleet of service vehicles, keeping your team mobile is essential. Commercial Motor and Fleet insurance protects your vehicles from accidents, theft, and damage, reducing downtime and keeping projects on track.
This cover is purpose-built for builders and construction businesses with vehicles operating across sites, depots, and transit routes.
Your policy can include:
- Comprehensive cover for utes, trucks, trailers, and service vehicles
- Fire, theft, collision, and accidental damage
- Third-party property damage and personal injury liability
- Windscreen and glass replacement
- New-for-old replacement on eligible vehicles
- Market or agreed value settlement
- Hire vehicle cover following an insured event
- Flexible excess and premium options
For larger fleets, we can consolidate your vehicles under a single policy, simplifying renewals, reducing costs, and easing the administrative load.
Builders Warranty Insurance
Builders Warranty insurance is a mandatory requirement for most residential building projects across Australia. It protects the homeowner if you’re unable to complete the job or fix defects due to insolvency, death, or disappearance.
This cover is typically required before building permits are issued or deposits are accepted and must align with each state’s regulations and project scope.
At All Trades Cover, we arrange compliant Builders Warranty policies that support:
- New home construction, renovations, and extensions
- Owner-builder and licensed builder projects
- Fast Certificate turnaround to meet permit and funding deadlines
- State-specific guidance to ensure full compliance
- Ongoing support with documentation, renewals, and eligibility requirements
Whether you’re lodging a single project or need ongoing warranty support, we ensure your cover is in place so there are no delays at the approval stage or settlement.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Professional Indemnity insurance for builders protects your business when your responsibility extends beyond the physical build and into areas like design, documentation, or compliance sign-off. It covers claims that arise from professional advice, technical input, or certification errors, even if the work was completed by a subcontracted consultant.
This type of policy is essential for builders working under Design and Construct contracts, as well as those managing engineers, architects, or certifiers as part of the project delivery.
At All Trades Cover, we structure builders Public Indemnity insurance to align with your construction risk profile and contract terms. Your cover can include:
- Protection against claims of negligence in design, documentation, or advice
- Coverage for design risk transferred through contracts or consultant coordination
- Policy alignment across Contract Works, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity
- Support for long-tail defect claims, compliance disputes, and legal defence
- Structuring for D&C contracts, government frameworks, and multi-site operations
- Tailored Certificates of Currency for contract submission or licensing requirements
If you’re providing advice, managing consultants, or delivering projects with compliance obligations, Professional Indemnity insurance for builders is not optional; it’s critical cover that protects your financial position, legal liability, and ability to keep building.
Management Liability/ Directors & Officers
As a building company grows, so does the scope of responsibility, not just on site, but in how the business is managed. Management Liability insurance protects both the business and its key decision-makers against claims linked to company oversight, legal obligations, and internal conduct.
Unlike site-based risks, these exposures stem from the decisions made at a leadership level. This could involve employment matters, regulatory breaches, financial oversight, or how you manage subcontractor relationships.
This cover can include:
- Directors & Officers Liability, protecting individuals in leadership roles from claims related to business decisions
- Employment Practices Liability for disputes involving unfair dismissal, discrimination, or workplace conduct
- Statutory Liability for fines or investigations under WHS, tax, or corporate law (where insurable)
- Crime Cover for losses from internal fraud or employee dishonesty
- Tax Audit Cover to support professional costs during ATO or regulatory reviews
This type of insurance is particularly valuable for building businesses that manage staff, subbies, multiple entities, or commercial contracts where compliance and conduct are under closer scrutiny.
Corporate Travel Insurance
Corporate Travel insurance provides essential protection for directors, staff, and contractors while they’re conducting business away from home.
This policy safeguards your people and operations against unexpected disruptions, including medical emergencies, travel delays, or lost equipment, helping reduce financial exposure and keep business running smoothly.
Key inclusions can cover:
- Emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation
- Trip cancellations, interruptions, or delays
- Loss or damage to tools, equipment, documents, or personal items
- Personal accident cover while travelling for work
- Rental vehicle excess
- Optional cover for accompanying spouses or executives
At All Trades Cover, we arrange Corporate Travel insurance programs designed for construction and trade businesses with mobile teams and multi-site operations. Whether it’s site inspections, client meetings, or supplier travel, we ensure your people are protected and your projects stay on track.
Project-Specific Endorsements
When delivering commercial, government, or infrastructure construction projects, your insurance may need to be adjusted to meet the specific terms set out in contract documents. Project-specific endorsements ensure your policy aligns with the requirements of head contractors, councils, or asset owners, and that you’re cleared to access the site, commence works, or receive progress payments.
These endorsements are commonly required to:
- Name the principal contractor, council, or client as an interested party
- Extend Public Liability insurance to a specific project or scope of work
- Satisfy contract clauses such as Principal’s Indemnity, Cross Liability, or Waiver of Subrogation
- Meet mandated cover limits, often $10 million or $20 million or more, depending on project scale
- Provide Certificates of Currency with precise wording, policy references, and endorsement details
For builders engaged in regulated or large-scale works, these adjustments are often non-negotiable for contract execution and compliance.
Tax Audit Insurance
As your building business grows, so does your visibility to regulators. A routine audit from the ATO or other government body can quickly lead to significant costs, even if your records are in order.
Tax Audit insurance covers the professional fees associated with responding to official audits, reviews, or investigations into your tax, payroll, or financial reporting obligations.
This cover can apply to:
- ATO income tax and GST audits
- Payroll tax, superannuation, or WorkCover reviews
- BAS and FBT compliance checks
- ASIC, Fair Work, or WHS-related financial investigations
- Professional fees from accountants, lawyers, or consultants
At All Trades Cover, we help construction businesses reduce the cost and disruption of audits, with cover that supports your team, protects cash flow, and keeps your focus on the job.
Where Risk on Site Meets Gaps in Your Policy
Scenario:
A major home builder put up a house during a drought. When the rain finally hit, the soil under the slab expanded, shifting the foundation and wrecking the structure. The fix? A full knockdown and rebuild.
Turns out the slab design was the issue, traced back to engineering work done as part of the build. When the builder turned to their insurer, the claim was denied due to a clause around ‘professional services.’ The court agreed; the insurer didn’t have to pay.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Help you avoid nasty surprises in the fine print
- Make sure your policies are watertight, even on grey areas like design and professional advice
- Access options like Errors & Omissions coverage to protect your business when liability isn’t clear-cut
What you avoid when you work with us:
- Massive rebuild costs coming out of your own pocket
- Gaps in your cover that you only discover after something goes wrong
- Blame games between insurers, engineers, and builders. We help you get clear answers, fast
Scenario:
A builder submitted a claim after part of a project failed. The issue? A faulty design element. Despite real damage to the jobsite, the insurer pointed to the policy’s defective elements exclusion, and the claim was knocked back.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Break down defect exclusions so you actually understand what’s covered
- Help choose between DE and LEG exclusions, and explain what each means for your business
- Work with insurers who offer partial access or rectification costs where possible
What you avoid when you work with us:
- Confusion over ‘defect vs damage’
- Full denial of claims because of one faulty part
- Long, drawn-out disputes that stall projects and cost you money
Scenario:
A subcontractor’s employee is injured on-site. The incident doesn’t involve your crew directly, but you’re named in a common law claim for failing to maintain a safe workplace.
Even though the worker’s employer has Workers’ Compensation, your liability policy is now in the spotlight, and the fine print is what decides the outcome.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Review how your policy handles worker-to-worker claims across multi-trade sites
- Ensure cross liability and subcontractor arrangements are correctly structured
- Identify exclusions that impact labour hire, site supervision, or shared responsibilities
- Ensure your worker-to-worker deductible isn’t unreasonable
What you avoid when you work with us:
- Liability for injuries involving workers you didn’t employ
- Policy gaps caused by unclear definitions of ‘employee’ or ‘third party’
- Claims disputes that delay progress and increase legal exposure
When Contract Risk Outgrows a Standard Policy
Scenario:
A major residential builder completed a home during an extended dry spell. When rain finally arrived, the reactive clay soil expanded, shifting the slab and causing major structural damage. The only viable solution was a full knockdown and rebuild.
The cause was traced back to a slab design issue tied to engineering advice provided as part of the build. When the builder lodged the claim, the insurer declined it, citing a professional services exclusion. The dispute went to court. The insurer’s position was upheld, and the builder absorbed the full financial loss.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Identify policy exclusions and risks before they become a problem
- Strengthen your insurance program to account for grey areas like design input or professional advice
- Access tailored options such as Errors & Omissions extensions or Professional Indemnity add-ons where required
What you avoid when you work with us:
- Out-of-pocket costs for major rebuilds that aren’t covered by standard policies
- Gaps in your cover that only come to light when a claim is denied
- Delays, disputes, and confusion between engineers, insurers, and contractors. We help you get clear answers early.
Scenario:
A builder submitted a claim after significant slab movement and cracking occurred on a residential project. The insurer confirmed the physical damage, but denied the claim under the policy’s defective design exclusion. The loss wasn’t rejected due to lack of damage, but because of how the policy defined defect-related claims.
This outcome isn’t unusual. Many Contract Works policies include Defects Exclusions (DE) or London Engineering Group (LEG) clauses that limit or exclude cover when damage results from faulty design, materials, or workmanship. In many cases, both the defect and the resulting damage are excluded.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Help you understand how DE and LEG clauses apply in real-world claims
- Explain the difference between DE1–3 exclusions and broader options like DE4 or LEG3
- Recommend insurers offering flexible coverage, including rectification cost allowances
- Arrange DE4 cover when you’re responsible for design, documentation, or certification
- Align your Contract Works, Liability, and Professional Indemnity to remove gaps in coverage
What you avoid when you work with us:
- Full claim denials due to restrictive or misunderstood exclusion wording
- Gaps in cover that leave you exposed after visible site damage
- Ongoing confusion when responsibility for design or compliance sits with your team
Scenario:
A subcontractor’s employee is injured on a residential project after tripping on equipment left by another trade. The injury is serious and leads to time off work and legal action. While the direct employer is covered under Workers’ Compensation, the injured worker files a common law claim against the head contractor and others involved in site supervision.
Because the injury was linked to activity on site, but not by the worker’s employer, the builder’s liability policy is called on to respond.
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Review your Public Liability wording to confirm it responds to worker-to-worker claims and ensure that they are reasonable
- Ensure subcontractors, labour hire, and site personnel are correctly classified under your policy
- Confirm Cross Liability, Principal’s Indemnity, and site-specific clauses are in place where required
- Work with insurers who understand how liability shifts across multi-trade sites
What you avoid when you work with us:
- Gaps in your policy that leave you exposed to claims from subcontractors or labour hire
- Disputes over responsibility when multiple trades are working under your supervision
- Delays, exclusions, or underinsurance that could impact your business after an incident
The Insurance Triggers That Delay Builds
Here’s the sort of thing we hear from builders and contractors every week:
- ‘The principal wants to be listed as a named insured before I can start.’
- ‘The bank won’t release funds until I send through a project-specific certificate.’
- ‘NSW Building Practitioners rules mean I need Professional Indemnity sorted before I lodge paperwork.’
- ‘The client’s asking for a project-specific COC and I need it now.’
- ‘I’m starting a new build and the cover has to be in place yesterday.’
- ‘I’m tendering for a project and the insurance details are holding me up.’
- ‘I’m an owner-builder and the insurer’s asking for things I’ve never seen before.’
- ‘I’m worried I’ll blow past my Maximum Project Value and end up underinsured.’
We cut through the fine print, line up your cover with the contract, and get your certificates issued fast. No red tape, no runaround, just people who know how building contracts and site requirements really work.
Give us a call or request a quote, and one of our Aussie-based team members will get back to you within 15 minutes.
The Real Insurance Challenges That Stall Builds Before They Begin
These are the types of challenges we hear from builders and contractors every week:
- ‘The principal contractor wants to be listed as a named insured before we can access the site.’
- ‘The bank won’t release funds until we provide a project-specific Certificate of Currency.’
- ‘We’re submitting paperwork under the NSW Building Practitioners framework and need Professional Indemnity in place first.’
- ‘The client has requested contract-specific endorsements, and we need the certificate today.’
- ‘We’re about to start a new build and the cover should have been in place yesterday.’
- ‘We’re tendering for a project, and insurance documentation is holding up submission.’
- ‘We’re acting as owner-builders, and the insurer is requesting documents we’re unfamiliar with.’
- ‘We’re concerned we’ll exceed our Maximum Project Value and risk being underinsured.’
These types of requests are common across the building industry, particularly on commercial, government, or multi-stage projects where insurance is closely tied to contract compliance.
At All Trades Cover, we work directly with construction businesses, project leads, and operations managers to ensure your cover matches your contractual obligations. From policy structure to certificate wording and endorsement requirements, we help you stay compliant, protect your position in the contract chain, and avoid costly delays.
Trusted by Aussie Tradies for Over 30 Years
Proudly ranked in the Insurance Business Top Brokerages every year from 2013 – 2024.
What All Trades Cover Can Deliver You
Insurance That Holds Up When It Matters
Contracts are full of tricky terms like ‘Principal’s Indemnity’, ‘Waiver of Subrogation’, and ‘Cross Liability’. We’ll check your policy against the contract and make sure everything matches. No hidden gaps, no last-minute knockbacks, just cover that does the job.
We Read the Contracts, You Get the Short Version
Insurance fine print isn’t your problem, it’s ours. We’ll go through the policy and contract, flag what matters, and spell out exactly what needs changing in plain English.
Paperwork Sorted, Fast
On a tight timeline? We turn around Certificates of Currency and contract wording quickly. No back-and-forth, no hold-ups, just the right documents in your inbox so you can get on site.
Need Project-Specific Insurance to Finalise the Contract?
Construction contracts issued by councils, government bodies, and infrastructure clients often include detailed insurance requirements. These may cover indemnity wording, WHS obligations, subcontractor arrangements, and project-specific terms that must be met before work can begin.
At All Trades Cover, we help ensure your insurance program is properly structured, fully compliant, and aligned with the contract’s terms and conditions.
Whether you are finalising a tender, onboarding to the site, or reviewing contract terms, we make sure your insurance supports the project, not delays it.
Review and interpret insurance clauses
Review and interpret insurance clauses in clear, practical terms
Identify compliance gaps
Identify compliance gaps or uninsured exposures in your current coverage
Work directly with underwriters
Work directly with underwriters to tailor insurance to contract-specific requirements
Provide access to broker-only policies
Provide access to broker-only policies not available through standard retail channels
Provide access to broker-only policies
Issue accurate Certificates of Currency, ready for submission to councils, head contractors, or commercial clients
FAQs
Your business isn’t what it was a year ago; more jobs, bigger clients, tighter rules. These FAQs are here to help you make sure your cover still fits the way you work today.
What insurance do I need to be a licensed builder?
Most states expect builders to carry Public Liability, Contract Works, and Workers’ Compensation (if you employ staff). Certificates of Currency with correct wording are usually required, too.
Here’s what that typically includes:
- Public Liability for builders: $5m or $10m cover to protect against injury or property damage to third parties. In QLD, QBCC licensing requires a minimum of $5m.
- Contract Works insurance: Protects the project itself against fire, storm, theft, vandalism, and accidental damage during construction.
- Workers’ Compensation: Mandatory if you employ anyone, including casuals, apprentices, or labour hire.
- Certificates of Currency: Need to match what your client, council, or licensing body asks for.
We’ll help you figure out exactly what your state authority requires (Fair Trading NSW, QBCC in QLD, Building and Energy WA, etc.) and set up business insurance for builders that ticks all the boxes.
Does Contract Works insurance cover existing structures?
Not by default. Contract Works usually only covers the new work under construction, not the building that was already there.
If you’re doing renovations, fit-outs, or extensions, you’ll usually need to add existing structures’ cover. Without it, damage to the existing building may not be insured, even if it happens during your work.
This type of cover can include:
- The existing dwelling or structure on the site
- Principal-supplied materials or property (if listed in the policy)
- Optional extensions for partial demolitions or alterations
We’ll review your policy and project details, then arrange the right extensions so your general builders insurance protects both the new and existing works.
What happens if my project goes over the Maximum Project Value?
If your contract value is higher than the limit in your policy, you may be underinsured. That can mean:
- Claims are only partially paid (insurer applies an ‘average clause’)
- You fall short of contract requirements
- Extra costs from variations or upgrades aren’t covered
We’ll help you:
- Declare the correct Maximum Project Value upfront
- Adjust the cover if the scope of work increases
- Make sure your business insurance for builders reflects the real value of the job
That way, if something goes wrong, you’re not left out of pocket.
What does ‘faulty workmanship’ mean in builders insurance?
Most builders’ general liability insurance policies exclude the cost of fixing faulty workmanship itself, but they may cover the damage it causes to other parts of the job (resultant damage).
Example:
- The faulty waterproofing itself isn’t covered.
- The water damage to walls, floors, or ceilings may be.
Policies handle this differently, so it’s important to know where your cover starts and stops. We’ll walk you through your policy wording and explain exactly how defects are treated.
What is DE4 cover?
DE4 is one of the defective element exclusions used in construction insurance. In simple terms:
- The defective item itself is excluded.
- The damage it causes to the rest of the project is covered.
Example: A defective steel beam wouldn’t be covered for replacement, but if it failed and caused damage to the structure around it, that damage may be insured.
We’ll explain how DE exclusions (DE1–DE5, LEG clauses) apply to your policy so you’re clear on what’s covered and what isn’t.
Do I need Builders Indemnity insurance?
Builders Indemnity Insurance, also known as Builders Warranty or Domestic Building Insurance, depending on the state, is often a legal requirement for residential building work where you’re dealing directly with a homeowner.
It’s designed to protect the homeowner if you can’t finish the job or return to fix defects due to insolvency, death, or serious illness. Most states require this cover before you take a deposit, apply for a permit, or start work on site.
You’ll likely need this insurance if you:
- Are building, renovating, or extending a home for a homeowner
- Are contracted directly by the property owner
- Work in states like Victoria, New South Wales, or South Australia, where it’s mandatory
- Need to meet permit, council, or lender requirements
Each state has its own rules, eligibility criteria, and processing timeframes, so it’s worth getting ahead of it to avoid delays.
Important: This cover is different from Professional Indemnity insurance.
- Builders Indemnity covers the homeowner if the work can’t be completed.
- Professional Indemnity protects you if there’s an issue with your advice, design input, or documentation.
If you’re not sure what applies to your projects, we can help you get the right cover in place and keep things moving.
What does ‘Vibration, Weakening, or Removal of Supports’ mean in my policy?
This clause applies to excavation, piling, and demolition work. It limits coverage if your work causes ground movement, vibration, or undermines support.
Depending on your policy, insurers may:
- Exclude just the defective work
- Exclude all damage connected to that work
- Cover resultant damage only
We’ll check the exact wording in your builder’s general liability insurance and arrange extensions if your project needs them.
What’s the difference between a Single Project Policy and an Annual Projects Policy?
The key difference lies in how many jobs the policy is designed to cover.
- A Single Project Policy provides cover for one specific job. It includes protection for the construction period and may extend into the defects liability period, depending on the insurer. This option is typically suited to owner-builders, developers, or builders working on small or large, one-off projects.
- An Annual Projects Policy covers multiple jobs over a 12-month period, up to a declared maximum number of projects and value per project. It offers ongoing cover without needing to take out a new policy for each job. This structure is ideal for licensed builders running regular residential, commercial, or multi-site builds throughout the year.
Choosing between the two depends on how your business operates. If you’re running multiple projects at once or working continuously across the year, an annual policy is often more cost-effective and easier to manage. If you’re delivering a single, standalone project, a one-off policy may be more appropriate.
FAQs for Building Contractors
Not sure if your current insurance still fits the way your construction business operates? These FAQs are written for builders managing commercial projects, principal contractor roles, and tighter documentation requirements across multiple sites.
What insurance do I need to be a licensed builder?
To meet licensing and contract requirements across Australia, builders are typically required to hold several key insurance policies. These protect your business, meet legal obligations, and ensure you can access sites and submit tenders without delay.
Here’s what most state authorities and regulatory bodies expect:
-
Public Liability Insurance for Builders
This protects against third-party injury or property damage caused by your construction activities. Most licensing bodies, including Fair Trading NSW and QBCC in Queensland, require a minimum of $5 million in cover. For commercial and higher-risk work, $10–$20 million is often needed.
- Contract Works Insurance
Also known as Builders Contract Works insurance or Building Contractor insurance, this covers the project itself, including materials, structures, and temporary works, against fire, theft, storm damage, vandalism, or accidental loss during construction.
It’s essential for builders working on new builds, renovations, or extensions.
- Workers’ Compensation
If you employ staff, apprentices, or subcontractors classified as ‘workers’ under your state’s legislation, you must hold Workers’ Compensation insurance.
We help ensure you’re correctly classified and registered based on your operating state.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
If your business operates under Design & Construct (D&C) contracts, provides site-specific advice, or signs off on compliance documentation, you may need Professional Indemnity cover.
It protects against claims for errors in design, advice, or documentation, even if these services are outsourced.
- Certificates of Currency
Most licensing bodies and contract stakeholders, including councils, banks, and principal contractors, require properly worded Certificates of Currency. These must match the expected cover amounts, include the correct parties, and meet any contract-specific wording.
How All Trades Cover Can Help
- Confirm what your state regulator (e.g. QBCC, Fair Trading NSW, Building and Energy WA) requires
- Provide fast, accurate Certificates of Currency for licensing, contracts, and tenders
- Structure your builder insurance program around your operations, risk exposure, and contract conditions
Align your Contract Works, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity into one coordinated program
Does Contract Works insurance cover existing structures?
Not by default. Contract Works Insurance typically covers the new work under construction, not the existing structure on site.
If you’re completing renovations, fit-outs, or extensions, you will usually need to add Existing Structures Cover to ensure the original building is protected. Without this extension, any damage to the existing property during your works may not be insured.
This type of cover can include:
- The existing dwelling or structure where works are being completed
- Principal-supplied materials or property (if specifically noted in the policy)
- Optional extensions for partial demolition, structural alterations, or staged works
Not all policies offer this type of extension, and cover terms vary by insurer, so it’s important to confirm eligibility early in the quoting or renewal process.
At All Trades Cover, we review your policy and project scope to arrange the right extensions. This ensures your general builders insurance covers both the new works and any existing structures involved in the job.
What happens if my project goes over the Maximum Project Value?
If your contract value exceeds the limit set in your policy, you may be underinsured. This can create serious issues during a claim or contract review.
Common risks include:
- Claims only being partially paid due to the insurer applying an average clause
- Falling short of contract insurance requirements
- Uninsured exposure from variations, upgrades, or scope increases
At All Trades Cover, we help builders:
- Accurately declare the Maximum Project Value upfront
- Adjust cover as the project scope changes
- Ensure your builders insurance reflects the full value of the works
This means if something goes wrong mid-project, your policy responds as expected, and you’re not left covering the shortfall.
What does ‘faulty workmanship’ mean in builders’ insurance?
In builders insurance, faulty workmanship refers to construction work that is incorrectly performed or fails to meet required standards, whether due to poor technique, lack of care, or failure to follow plans or specifications.
Most Builders Public Liability Insurance policies exclude the cost of fixing the defective work itself. However, they may cover the resultant damage; that is, the damage the faulty work causes to other property.
For example:
- If waterproofing is installed incorrectly, the cost to redo the waterproofing is usually not covered.
- However, if that failure causes water damage to floors, ceilings, or adjacent areas, that damage may be covered.
This distinction becomes especially important on commercial or larger-scale projects, where contract values are higher and the financial impact of defects can be significant. Policy wording varies, and some insurers may impose further limitations based on project type, subcontractor involvement, or prior claims history.
At All Trades Cover, we help you understand exactly how your policy responds to defects and faulty workmanship, and whether you may need additional protections, such as Professional Indemnity insurance for builders, for design risks or rectification cost extensions where available.
What is DE4 cover?
DE4 cover, also known as the faulty design exclusion with resultant damage write-back, is a specific endorsement commonly found in Contract Works Insurance policies.
It excludes the cost of rectifying faulty design, workmanship, or materials, but allows the policy to respond to resultant damage; the unintentional damage caused by that fault to other parts of the project.
For example:
- If a structural element fails due to a design flaw, the cost to fix the flawed component is excluded.
- However, damage caused to other areas of the build (such as walls, flooring, or adjacent structures) may be covered under the resultant damage provision.
DE4 is typically used on construction projects where there is some design responsibility held by the contractor or where professional design services are subcontracted. It’s a standard approach to managing fault-based risks in design and construct contracts.
Do I need Builders Indemnity insurance?
Builders Indemnity Insurance (also known as Domestic Building insurance & Builders Warranty in some states) is a legal requirement for most residential building projects where work is carried out for a homeowner.
This cover protects the property owner if the builder is unable to complete the work or return to fix defects due to insolvency, death, or permanent incapacity. It is typically required before accepting a deposit, applying for a permit, or starting work on site.
You may need this cover if you:
- Are undertaking residential construction, renovations, or extensions
- Are contracted directly by the homeowner
- Operate in states such as Victoria, New South Wales, or South Australia, where the cover is mandated
- Need to satisfy permit, council, or lender requirements linked to residential work
Each state has its own rules and processes, including eligibility criteria and policy issue timeframes. Understanding these early helps avoid unnecessary delays or compliance issues.
This cover is separate from Professional Indemnity insurance for builders, which protects against claims arising from design input, professional advice, or documentation errors. While both include ‘indemnity’ in the name, they serve different purposes and are required in different scenarios.
What does ‘Vibration, Weakening, or Removal of Supports’ mean in my policy?
The Vibration, Weakening, or Removal of Supports exclusion refers to damage caused by construction activity that compromises the structural stability of surrounding property. It is commonly found in Public Liability and Contract Works policies.
This exclusion may apply to:
- Ground vibration from excavation, drilling, or compaction
- Disturbance to footings, foundations, or retaining walls
- Structural damage resulting from the removal of physical supports
For example, if nearby buildings are damaged due to excavation weakening their foundations, that damage may not be covered unless the policy specifically includes this risk.
Some insurers offer endorsements that limit or restore cover, depending on the nature of the project.
It’s important to review how this clause is handled in your policy, particularly if your work involves excavation, demolition, or building near existing structures.
What’s the difference between a Single Project Policy and an Annual Projects Policy?
The key difference lies in how many jobs the policy is designed to cover.
- A Single Project Policy provides cover for one specific job. It includes protection for the construction period and may extend into the defects liability period, depending on the insurer. This option is typically suited to owner-builders, developers, or builders working on small or large, one-off projects.
- An Annual Projects Policy covers multiple jobs over a 12-month period, up to a declared maximum number of projects and value per project. It offers ongoing cover without needing to take out a new policy for each job. This structure is ideal for licensed builders running regular residential, commercial, or multi-site builds throughout the year.
Choosing between the two depends on how your business operates. If you’re running multiple projects at once or working continuously across the year, an annual policy is often more cost-effective and easier to manage. If you’re delivering a single, standalone project, a one-off policy may be more appropriate.
What is the difference between Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance for Builders?
The key difference lies in the type of risk each policy is designed to cover.
Public Liability insurance protects you if your construction work causes injury or property damage to someone else. For example, if falling materials damage a neighbouring property, or a visitor is injured on-site. This cover is usually mandatory for licensing, contract compliance, and site access, and is a core requirement on most jobs.
Professional Indemnity insurance, on the other hand, protects you against claims of professional negligence. This includes errors in advice, design input, documentation, or compliance work, even if the service was outsourced to a third-party consultant.
If you’re working under a Design & Construct (D&C) contract, coordinating consultants, or signing off on compliance documentation, you may need Professional Indemnity insurance in addition to Public Liability.
New Professional Indemnity insurance requirement for NSW Builders
Under the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Scheme, builders who carry any form of design responsibility, including engaging consultants or signing design declarations, must now hold a Professional Indemnity policy that meets specific criteria.
This applies to:
- Builders delivering Design & Construct contracts
- Builders supervising or coordinating external designers
- Builders signing off on compliance declarations (especially for Class 2 buildings)
What we do at All Trades Cover:
- Help assess if these rules apply to your scope of work
- Arrange Professional Indemnity cover that meets NSW Fair Trading requirements
- Ensure you’re protected whether you do the design or subcontract it
- Align your insurance with your legal, contractual, and licensing obligations
This is a new compliance trigger that’s catching many builders off guard. We’ll help you stay ahead of it, avoiding rejections, liability issues, or costly delays.
Let’s Take Care of the Cover So You Can Finish the Build
Starting a new build? Lodging a tender? Need paperwork for site access? We’ll sort your builders insurance so you can focus on the job, not the admin.
- Quick turnaround on quotes and Certificates of Currency
- Advice from people who know construction and contracts inside out (many of our team are ex-tradies)
- Cover that fits the way you work, from single builds to multiple projects
- Certificates and endorsements that meet the head contractor and council requirements
Need an Insurance Partner Who Gets Building Work?
As your building business grows, so does the risk. Contracts become more complex, client expectations increase, and projects often run across multiple sites with tight deadlines. Off-the-shelf insurance products rarely keep pace with the operational and compliance demands of the construction industry.
We provide tailored insurance solutions for builders who:
- Deliver residential, commercial, or government projects with layered scopes and timelines
- Manage teams, subcontractors, and equipment across multiple job sites
- Require contract-specific documentation for site access, funding, or council approval
- Need confidence that claims will be handled clearly and without unnecessary delay
- Prefer to work with brokers who understand how construction businesses operate day to day
Chat With a Team That Gets Builds, Not Just Paperwork
We don’t overcomplicate things. No phone trees, no jargon, no runaround. Just proper insurance for builders who are ready to get on with the job. Submit a quick form, or give our team a call to tell us what you’re working on, and we’ll handle the rest.
Talk to a Builders Insurance Specialist
When you’re running multiple projects, coordinating subcontractors, and working under contract conditions, standard builders’ insurance is rarely enough. You need a tailored program that reflects how your business operates across sites, scopes, and jurisdictions.
With All Trades Cover, you get:
- Purpose-built cover for licensed builders and construction companies
- Fast turnaround on Certificates of Currency and project-specific documentation
- Ongoing support from brokers who understand construction risk and compliance
- Access to tailored insurance from underwriters, rather than a standard direct off-the-shelf option
We partner with growing building businesses to develop insurance programs that meet regulatory requirements, support project delivery, and respond when it matters most.