Scaffolder Insurance: Quotes and Requirements

While scaffolding can be a risky business, having the right insurance coverage in place can help protect you, your employees and your business financially if someone is injured or property is damaged in the course of your work.

Plus, having a suitable public liability policy in place may be required by your clients; and employers' liability is compulsory by law if you have anyone working for you. Here's what you need to know about scaffolders insurance before you buy.

• What kind of insurance does a scaffolder need?
• How much is insurance for a scaffolder business?
• Scaffolder employment and injury statistics

What Kind of Insurance Does a Scaffolder Need?

While insurance needs are unique to each business, here are some of the more types of insurance that scaffolders frequently need. We've also included some examples to illustrate when a type of insurance could potentially be useful.

1. Public Liability insurance protects your scaffolding business financially if a member of the public or a client is accidentally injured, or their property damaged. If there is an incident on one of your jobs, public liability insurance covers related legal fees and compensation costs. Most clients will only hire a scaffolder who has public liability insurance, and they may have a minimum coverage requirement so ask your clients how much cover they expect before you buy a policy. Public Liability insurance is typically offered with £1 million, £2 million, £5 million or £10 million of cover.

2. Employers' Liability insurance protects against compensation claims by current (or former) employees against injuries or illnesses that resulted from their work for you. If you have any employees (this can include permanent and temporary workers, contractors, etc.), then Employers' Liability is required by law under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. The law stipulates a minimum of £5 milion of employers' liability cover, but in reality £10 million is more usual.

3. Tool and Equipment Cover covers the cost of replacing stolen tools and equipment. Tool cover can even protect tools left in a van or truck overnight, although the premium for this coverage will be higher than if you store your tools inside a locked building each night (check with your insurer for special terms and conditions). Coverage will vary depending on your needs, but frequently ranges from £1,000 to £10,000 or more.

4. Personal Accident insurance can provide financial protection if an employee is seriously injured at work, compensating them for lost wages or providing cover for medical expenses. It typically also covers death. Maximum amounts vary but you'll frequently see coverages of £5,000 to £20,000 for an injury and £40,000 or even more for an accidental death. Compensation can be a weekly benefit for temporary incapacitation, or a lump sum payment for injuries that permanently affect a worker's ability to go back to work.

5. Commercial Vehicle insurance protects your business financially if you or one of your employees has an accident while driving your scaffolding truck that injures someone or damages property. Third Party Only cover will only covers damage to third parties, not you, your employees or your truck. Third Party, Fire and Theft policies will cover third party damage as well as fire or theft of your truck. Comprehensive policies will cover 3rd party damage and fire and theft, but will also protect you and your vehicle from injury or damage due to a road traffic accident.

In addition, a scaffolder business might need other types of coverage such as plant and machinery insurance, equipment in transit, business equipment insurance, etc.

How do I Find the Best Scaffolding Insurance for Me?

Here are a few tips to help you select the best scaffolders' insurance policy for your needs:

How Much is Insurance for a Scaffolder?

Even the cheapest, most basic public liability business insurance for a scaffolder (with no employees or additional coverages) will cost at least £725 a year. Given the risky nature of the business, scaffolder insurance is much more expensive than average. For example, we found the average cost of public liability insurance in the UK was £118, which is a fraction of what a scaffolding business would pay.

Add to this employers' liability insurance for a single employee and you can expect to pay at least £2,000 for your business insurance. Insurance prices are extremely variable, however, and will ultimately depend on the details of your business and your particular situation, as well as the insurer.

Scaffolding Employment Statistics

For 2023, the average annual pay for a scaffolder was £35,969 in the UK, down 2.7% for the year. The range is typically between £24,104 and £43,527, depending on area, experience and other factors. While wages increased slightly, there were fewer jobs available. In 2023 there were an estimated 10,000 scaffolding jobs in the UK, which is lower than many previous years.

Scaffolding Accident and Injury Statistics

According to the National Access and Scaffolding Association (NASC) 2022 Safety Report, there were 90 scaffolding incidents recorded in 2022. Manual handling accidents were the most common cause, accounting for 29% of scaffolding injuries. Slips, trips and falls on the same level was the second most common cause of accident and injury, representing more than a third of all reported injuries—27% to be exact.