What Is Hired-In Plant Insurance?

Hired-in plant insurance protects plant or machinery you rent from a third-party supplier. It covers:

• Theft

• Accidental damage

• Fire and weather-related damage

• Malicious damage or vandalism

• Your liability under the hire agreement (e.g. continuing hire charges)

The policy ensures you don’t end up paying for expensive repairs or replacements out of pocket if something happens to the hired equipment.

Why You Need It

Most plant hire contracts transfer responsibility to you, the hirer, as soon as the machinery is delivered — whether you use it or not. You’ll often be liable for:

• Full replacement cost if the machine is stolen

• Repair costs for accidental or negligent damage

• Continuing hire charges while the plant is being repaired or replaced

Hiring plant without insurance is a gamble that could leave your business seriously out of pocket.

What Does Hired-In Plant Insurance Typically Cover?

Who Needs This Insurance?

You need hired-in plant insurance if you are:

• A contractor hiring machinery or tools for a job

• A self-employed tradesperson using rented plant on site

• A construction firm managing plant across multiple projects

• A landscaping or groundwork company using hired equipment

• Any business that signs a plant hire agreement making you responsible for the equipment

Even if you only hire plant for a few days or a single project, you’re still at risk.

Isn’t the Hire Company Already Insured?

In most cases: no — or not in the way you think.

Most hire companies don’t include insurance unless you specifically request it. Even if they do:

• Their policy might not cover all damage types

• You may still be liable for excess charges

• The cover might not include continuing hire charges

Relying on the hire company’s cover usually costs more and gives you less control over claims. Taking out your own hired-in plant policy gives you better protection — and often at a lower cost.

Real-World Example Scenarios

Scenario 1: You hire a mini excavator. It’s stolen overnight from a locked site.
Your hired-in plant insurance covers the cost of replacement.

Scenario 2: A dumper you hired clips a parked car on a public road.
You’re covered for property damage via your public liability insurance, but the plant damage is covered under your hired-in plant policy.

Scenario 3: A loader is damaged by another contractor on-site. The hire company still holds you responsible.
Your policy protects you from footing the repair bill — and any loss-of-use charges.

Other Insurance You Might Need Alongside Hired-In Plant Cover

• Public Liability Insurance – Covers injury or property damage caused by your work or the plant in use

• Employers’ Liability Insurance – Required if you have employees operating the plant

• Contractors All Risk (CAR) Insurance – For full project coverage, including damage to work in progress or materials

• Tool and Equipment Insurance – For hand tools, power tools, and smaller items not classed as plant

If you’re operating a busy site or juggling multiple projects, a combined policy that includes all of the above may be the best value.

What Most Contractors Overlook

• Continuing hire charges — Hire firms can charge daily rates until the damaged or stolen plant is replaced

• Security conditions — Leaving equipment in unsecured locations can invalidate your cover

• Short-term hire cover — Make sure your policy works for both long and short jobs

• Policy limits — Some policies may cap the value of individual plant items, so always check your sum insured matches the value of the machinery you hire

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/