Can You Get Plant Hire Insurance for Short-Term Hire?

Yes — you can get plant hire insurance for short-term hire, whether it’s for a single day, a few weeks, or a one-off job. This type of insurance is ideal for self-employed tradespeople, contractors, or small businesses that don’t use plant regularly but still need to stay protected.

If you’re hiring a mini digger for the weekend or bringing in a scissor lift for a five-day project, short-term plant hire insurance gives you the cover you need — without paying for a full annual policy.

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Can You Get Plant Hire Insurance for Short-Term Hire?

What Is Short-Term Plant Hire Insurance?

Short-term plant hire insurance provides temporary cover for hired-in machinery and equipment, usually from 1 to 30 days, though some policies may extend further.

It protects you from:

Theft
Accidental damage
Malicious damage
Fire or weather-related loss
Continuing hire charges
(In some cases) transit cover and third-party property damage

It’s designed for flexible use — covering exactly what you need, when you need it.

When Would You Use Short-Term Cover?

You might need short-term plant hire insurance if you:

Hire a mini digger or excavator for a landscaping job
Need a cherry picker or scissor lift for building maintenance
Rent access equipment for signage, roofing, or cleaning
Bring in plant for a site clearance or groundwork task
Are a subcontractor on a larger project but supply your own kit

Many trades use short-term policies to avoid paying for year-round cover they rarely need.

What’s Typically Covered?

Here’s what a typical short-term plant hire insurance policy includes:

Covered Item	Details
Theft	Covers stolen plant from site or vehicles (subject to security)
Accidental Damage	Protects you if the plant is damaged during operation
Fire/Flood/Weather Damage	Environmental and accidental risks covered
Malicious Damage	Vandalism or intentional harm by third parties
Continuing Hire Charges	Pays for hire costs while the plant is out of action
Transit Cover (optional)	Covers plant while being transported between locations

Make sure to check the policy start and end dates carefully, as short-term cover typically activates from the delivery date and ends upon collection or a fixed time limit.

How Does It Work?

1. Get a Quote

Provide:

Type of plant you’re hiring
Hire period
Site address
Value of equipment (often replacement value)

2. Receive Your Documents

Once the policy is approved, you’ll receive:

Certificate of insurance
Policy wording (make sure to read it!)
Confirmation of cover duration and terms

3. Share with the Hire Company

Most plant hire companies will request a copy of your insurance before releasing equipment — especially if you’ve opted out of their own cover.

Who Is This Type of Policy For?

Short-term cover is ideal for:

Self-employed builders or landscapers using hired-in kit occasionally
Contractors working short-term jobs with hired plant
Subcontractors who need cover for a single project
Businesses testing new equipment before purchasing
Anyone hiring plant but not needing an annual policy

What to Watch Out For

Policy gaps: Always check that the policy start and end dates match your hire agreement.
Security requirements: Overnight storage conditions may be strict — ensure you comply.
Continuing hire clause: Not all short-term policies include this by default.
Transit exclusions: If you’re collecting/delivering the plant, confirm it’s covered during transit.
Declared value: Be accurate — underinsuring plant could void your claim.

Short-Term vs Annual Cover — Which Is Right?

Short-Term Cover	Annual Plant Hire Insurance
Best for occasional or one-off hires	Ideal for businesses who regularly hire plant
You pay per job	You pay annually (often cheaper over time)
More flexibility, less admin	Better value and more comprehensive cover
Doesn’t always include public liability	Can be bundled with PL, EL, tools, and CAR cover

If you hire plant more than a few times a year, it’s worth discussing whether an annual policy is more cost-effective.

Need a quote or want to review your current policy?
Call us on 01474 833 322 or get a fast online quote at: www.abainsurance.co.uk/trades-insurance-quote/