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Insurance for Groundworks & Excavation Contractors
Specialist Protection for Work Below the Surface.
Groundworks and excavation contractors face some of the highest-risk site conditions — from buried services and unstable soils to heavy plant operations in confined spaces. At ERM Financial Services, we specialise in building insurance programmes for Irish groundworks firms that reflect these risks and meet contract and safety requirements.
We support contractors involved in enabling works, site preparation, foundations, trenching, utilities, and drainage — with over 30 years’ experience advising the civil and construction sectors.
Who We Work With
Groundworks and enabling works contractors
Excavation and earthmoving firms
Utility, ducting, and drainage subcontractors
Foundations, piling, and site strip specialists
Insurance for Groundworks & Excavation Contractors
Key Insurance Covers for Groundworks Contractors:
Contractors’ All Risks (CAR) Insurance
Contractors All Risks (CAR) Insurance
Covers damage to site works, foundations, trenching, shuttering, and on-site materials due to accident, fire, or weather events.
Covers damage to site works, foundations, trenching, shuttering, and on-site materials due to accident, fire, or weather events.
Public Liability Insurance
Essential for covering third-party injury or property damage — including collapse, vibration, damage to underground services, or adjacent structure compromise.
Employers’ Liability Insurance
Covers injury or illness suffered by employees or labour-only subcontractors under your supervision.
Plant & Equipment Insurance
Covers owned and hired-in plant — such as excavators, trenchers, dumpers, breakers, and compactors — with options for transit, overnight storage, and temporary works.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Needed if you provide ground assessments, drainage design, or site level/layout advice as part of your scope or under a design & build agreement.
Optional Add-Ons:
Non-negligent liability (e.g. damage to nearby structures not caused by fault)
Environmental liability (pollution from spills, sediment run-off, etc.)
Personal accident cover for sole traders
Why ERM?
- 30+ years of construction and civils insurance experience
- Cover tailored to your site scope, plant use, and contract structure
- Fast cert turnaround for tendering, client sign-off, or site access
- Central Bank of Ireland regulated
FAQs – Insurance for Groundworks & Excavation
1. Why is Public Liability especially important in groundworks?
Because even minor work can cause major third-party damage — from punctured mains to subsidence or vibration affecting nearby buildings. The financial risk is significant.
2. What does CAR Insurance cover in this trade?
It protects your foundations, trenches, formwork, base slabs, and materials against theft, collapse, flood, or other site-based damage.
3. Can I insure against damaging buried services?
Public Liability often extends to accidental damage to underground services — but conditions apply. We’ll help ensure your cover reflects your working methods (e.g. CAT scanning, permit systems).
4. What if I subcontract specialist services (e.g. piling or drainage)?
Your policy needs to reflect how these subs are engaged. We can advise on whether their insurance applies or whether your policy will be primary.
5. Do I need PI if I follow engineer designs?
Possibly. If you make layout decisions or change specifications, you could be exposed. We’ll assess your actual role and advise accordingly.
6. What documents can you provide to clients or main contractors?
We can supply Public Liability certs, plant schedules, and tailored letters of indemnity quickly — often same day — to avoid delays on site.
7. Can I combine plant, CAR, and liability into one package?
Yes. This is often the best approach for admin simplicity, pricing, and clearer claims handling.
8. Is ERM Financial Services regulated?
Yes. ERM Financial Services is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.