Insurance for Builders
Solid Protection for Building Contractors.
Whether you’re building single homes, housing developments, commercial units or extensions, your work comes with risk. At ERM Financial Services, we help Irish builders get the right insurance in place — from site setup to handover and beyond.
With over 30 years’ experience working with contractors across Ireland, we understand the reality of what builders face every day. Our advice is practical, fast, and tailored to how you actually work.
Who We Work With
General builders and residential contractors
Commercial builders and developers
Subcontracting builders under main contractors
Self-build and design & build practitioners
Insurance for Builders
Core Covers for Builders
We help builders bundle the right cover for how you work and what you risk.
Contractors All Risks (CAR) Insurance
Covers physical loss or damage to site works, materials, and plant — including theft or accidental damage during construction.
Public Liability Insurance
Protects against third-party injury or property damage claims arising from your site work or building activities.
Employers’ Liability Insurance
Provides cover for injury or illness to employees, apprentices, or labour-only subcontractors.
Plant & Equipment Insurance
Covers owned and hired-in machinery, tools, and plant — with optional cover for transit and on-site use.
Professional Indemnity Insurance (if design responsibility applies)
Needed if you provide design input, layout advice, or are engaged in a Design & Build capacity.
Optional Add-Ons:
Personal accident cover for self-employed builders
Business interruption following insured losses
Legal expenses cover
We Cover Every Trade in the Building Sector
- Scaffolder Contractors
- Formwork & Shuttering Contractors
- Recycling Contractors
- Personal Building Contractors
- Electrical Contractors
- Plumbing Contractors
- HVAC Contractors
- Roofing Contractors
- Masonry Contractors
- Drywall Contractors
- Landscape Contractors
- Fire Protection Contractors
- Demolition Contractors
- Concrete Contractors
- Excavation Contractors
- Flooring Contractors
- Steel Contractors
- Framing Contractors
- Carpentry Contractors
- Landscaping Contractors
- Insulation Contractors
- Foundation Contractors
- Elevator Contractors
- Renovation Contractors
Joinery Workshop Contractors
Why ERM?
- 30+ years working with Irish builders and trades
- Direct access to experienced advisers — no call centres
- Custom-built cover options for small builders to large contractors
- Fast turnaround on quotes, certs, and site-specific queries
FAQs – Insurance for Builders
1. Do I need Employers’ Liability if I only use subcontractors?
You might. If you use labour-only subcontractors (under your direction), you may be legally viewed as their employer. We’ll help clarify based on your setup.
2. What does CAR Insurance actually cover?
CAR protects your work in progress, materials on-site, and temporary structures against accidental damage, theft, fire, storm and more — subject to policy terms.
3. What kind of claims could arise during a build?
Example: A partially completed roof collapses due to improperly secured materials, damaging a neighbour’s car. This could trigger a CAR claim (for the works) and a Public Liability claim (for third-party property damage).
4. What if the client requires proof of insurance?
We provide same-day documentation on request — including public liability certs, plant schedules, and evidence of CAR or PI where required.
5. Can I bundle all covers into one?
Yes. Bundling CAR, EL, PL, plant and more makes renewals easier and reduces gaps or duplicated cover.
6. Do all builders need Professional Indemnity cover?
No — only those with design responsibility (e.g., layout, materials, specification, or subcontracted design work). If in doubt, we’ll review your contracts to determine if PI applies.
7. What’s the difference between labour-only and bona fide subcontractors?
Labour-only subcontractors follow your supervision and are usually covered under your Employers’ Liability policy. Bona fide subcontractors work independently and carry their own insurance.
8. Is ERM Financial Services regulated?
Yes. ERM Financial Services is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Get Started
Build With Confidence — We’ll Handle the Cover
Let’s make sure your next project is properly protected.