Insurance for Groundworkers

Specialist insurance for groundworkers, built around the risks of excavation, drainage, foundations and site preparation.

Whether you work as a sole trader or manage a team, we’ll help you arrange the right cover to protect your business, meet contractor requirements and stay compliant on site.

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Insurance for Groundworkers

Groundworkers operate at the very start of a project, where risk is often high.

Before anything is built, you’re dealing with unstable ground, unknown services and conditions that can change quickly. Excavation, drainage and foundation work all carry a level of exposure that isn’t always visible at the outset.

Striking an underground utility, causing ground movement or impacting a neighbouring structure can lead to significant claims. And when something goes wrong at this stage, it doesn’t just affect your work, it can delay the entire project.

That’s where the right insurance becomes essential.

If you employ staff or labour-only subcontractors, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. Without it, you risk substantial fines and potential legal action.

Alongside this, most contractors will require proof of public liability insurance for groundworkers before allowing work to begin on site.

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Groundworker Insurance

No two groundworking jobs are the same, and your insurance needs to reflect that.

The risks you face depend on a number of factors, including soil conditions, the depth and complexity of excavation, the type of machinery used and how close you are working to existing buildings, roads or utilities.

Whether you’re preparing sites for residential developments, working on infrastructure projects or carrying out drainage and foundation work, your exposure is very different to other trades.

One of the most common issues we see is around subcontractor cover.

If you use labour-only subcontractors, they are often treated as employees for insurance purposes. This means they need to be included within your employers’ liability cover, something many contractors overlook.

Getting this wrong can leave serious gaps in your insurance.

We take the time to understand how your workforce is structured and ensure your policy is set up correctly, so you remain compliant and properly protected.

See What Our Customers Say

Corporate

“Running a construction business comes with enough challenges, so having a broker who makes insurance simple is a huge relief. They explained everything clearly, found us the right cover, and are always on hand when we need them. It gives us real peace of mind on every job.”

Kelly, Creative Building Projects Ltd

Tradesman

“Reliable, knowledgeable, and easy to deal with. They understand the construction industry and made sure we had the right cover in place from day one. Highly recommended.”

Tom, Do It All Construction

Corporate

“CHAS Insurance have been our ‘go to’ broker for the past 6 years and have always provided a stress-free renewal process with very competitive rates.”

Steve, Valley Provincial Ltd

Tradesman

“As a small business owner, having the right insurance is essential. They took the time to understand our needs and tailored a policy that gives us real peace of mind. Their customer service is responsive, friendly, and genuinely helpful. It’s refreshing to deal with an insurance provider that actually cares.”

Adrian, Padmans Builders

Corporate

“As a business, finding reliable insurance is non‑negotiable, and this company exceeds this. Their team take the time to understand our operations, identify potential risks, and build a policy that fits how we work—not just a generic package. The best part about our experience with Chas Insurance is that they always go above and beyond to make sure our needs are met and they are very responsive to any questions we may have.”

Sandra – Electroplan

Tradesman

“CHAS Insurance provided us with excellent service when arranging our liability insurance. They secured great cover at a competitive premium and made the whole process straightforward and hassle-free.”

Pankhurst & Clark Tiling Contractors Ltd

What Does Groundworker Insurance Cover?

Groundworker insurance is typically built around a combination of covers, designed to protect both your work and your liability on site.

Contractors All Risk Insurance

This covers work in progress against loss or damage caused by events such as collapse, flooding, theft or accidental damage.

For groundworkers, this is particularly important. Issues can arise before any visible structure is complete, and if work needs to be redone, the cost can be significant.

Plant and Machinery Insurance

Groundworking often relies on heavy equipment such as excavators, dumpers and compactors.

Plant insurance covers damage, theft and liability arising from the use of this equipment, whether owned or hired.

On many sites, you are responsible for the hired-in plant, so having the right cover in place is essential.

Tools Cover

Covers smaller tools and site equipment against loss, theft or damage.

Groundworking sites are often open environments, with tools left on-site or transported between jobs. This makes them a common target for theft.

Public Liability Insurance for Groundworkers

Public liability insurance is one of the most important covers for groundworkers.

If your work results in damage to third-party property or injury to a member of the public, this is the cover that protects your business.

This could include:

Damaging underground pipes or cables
Causing subsidence or structural movement
Impacting neighbouring properties or access routes

Given the nature of groundwork, these risks are not uncommon, and the potential costs can be high.

Supporting Accredited Contractors

Many groundworkers operate under accreditation schemes such as CHAS, Constructionline and SafeContractor.

These schemes often require specific levels of insurance before you can tender for or carry out work.

We understand these requirements and ensure your cover aligns with the standards expected, so you remain compliant and don’t face delays when securing contracts.

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Get a Groundworker Insurance Quote

Groundworker insurance is about protecting your business at the stage where risk is highest and issues can have the biggest impact.

At CHAS Insurance, we arrange cover for groundworkers across the UK, from sole traders to established contractors, with a clear understanding of how the trade operates day to day.

Speak to our team today for a tailored quote and practical advice on the cover you need.

We work with contractors accredited by the following organisations…

Frequently Asked Questions

Is groundworker insurance a legal requirement?

Employers’ liability insurance is legally required if you employ staff or labour-only subcontractors.

Other types of cover, such as public liability and contract works insurance, are not required by law, but are essential in practice and often a condition of working on site.
What does groundworker insurance typically include?

Groundworker insurance is usually made up of a combination of covers, including public liability, employers’ liability and contract works insurance.

The exact structure will depend on the type of work you carry out and how your business operates.