What Is Plant Hire Insurance and Who Actually Needs It?

Plant hire insurance is designed to protect businesses and contractors who hire out, use, or are responsible for plant and machinery — covering everything from theft and damage to liability. Whether you own the plant or hire it in, this cover ensures you’re not out of pocket if something goes wrong.

If you work in construction, groundwork, landscaping, or infrastructure, and rely on excavators, dumpers, rollers, or access equipment — this type of insurance could be essential.

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What Is Plant Hire Insurance and Who Actually Needs It?

What Is Plant Hire Insurance?

Plant hire insurance is a business insurance product that provides financial protection for equipment and machinery used on-site, whether it’s owned or hired-in.

It typically includes:

Theft or malicious damage to plant or equipment
Accidental damage during use or transport
Hired-in plant cover if you’re renting machinery
Owned plant cover for your business’s assets
Public liability if the equipment causes injury or damage to a third party
Continuing hire charges, if the plant is damaged and you’re still liable for ongoing hire fees

It can be taken out by plant hire companies (who rent out machinery) or contractors (who hire and use the machinery).

Who Needs Plant Hire Insurance?

You’ll likely need this insurance if you fall into any of these categories:

Contractors Using Hired Plant

If you hire in excavators, dumpers, generators, or other machinery — even for a short period — you’re usually contractually responsible for insuring it. The hire company will expect you to cover the risk while the equipment is in your possession.

Self-Employed Tradespeople

Plumbers, builders, landscapers, and electricians who occasionally hire plant (even just a mini digger) need this cover to protect themselves from accidental or malicious damage — or theft from site or vans.

Plant Hire Companies

If you own plant and rent it out to contractors, you need cover to protect your assets and cover legal costs if your equipment causes injury or property damage. You’ll also need continuing hire charges cover if a client damages your kit and you can’t rent it out again.

Building Firms and Developers

If your team operates a mix of hired-in and owned plant across multiple sites, you’ll want comprehensive cover that combines all risks under one policy — to protect assets, timelines, and contractual relationships.

Why It Matters

Plant and machinery are expensive — and accidents happen.

Here are common risks that plant hire insurance covers:

Theft from site or secure compounds
Vandalism or accidental damage
Damage in transit between sites
Plant striking underground cables or third-party property
Storm or fire damage on-site
Hired plant becoming unusable mid-project

Without insurance, these risks can lead to thousands of pounds in unexpected costs, as well as potential liability claims if someone else is affected.

Real-World Example Scenarios

Scenario 1: You hire a mini digger for a landscaping job. Overnight, it’s stolen from site. You’re liable — even though you don’t own it.
Plant hire insurance covers the cost of replacement.

Scenario 2: Your team uses a hired dumper and damages a boundary wall on a client’s property.
Public liability within your plant policy handles the compensation.

Scenario 3: You hire out a telehandler. The client rolls it due to misuse.
Your insurance covers the repair cost and the hire revenue you’ve lost while it’s out of service.

What’s Typically Included?

Cover Type	What It Protects Against
Hired-In Plant	Damage, loss or theft of machinery you hire from others
Owned Plant	Damage or theft of your own equipment
Continuing Hire Charges	Ongoing rental fees if hired-in plant becomes unusable
Public Liability	Injury or property damage caused by plant
Transit Cover	Damage while moving equipment between sites
Malicious or Accidental Damage	Includes vandalism, operator error, and site hazards

Always check with your broker what’s included and whether your policy covers overnight site storage, plant in transit, or third-party operators.

Common Misconceptions

“I’m just hiring for a few days — I don’t need insurance.”

False. Even short-term hires often come with contracts making you liable for damage, theft, and ongoing rental fees.

“The hire company’s insurance will cover it.”

In most cases, the responsibility transfers to you the moment the plant is delivered — unless you’ve specifically opted into their insurance (which may still leave gaps).

“I’ve got public liability — isn’t that enough?”

Public liability won’t cover the value of the actual machine if it’s stolen, rolled, or damaged. You need plant hire insurance to protect the asset itself.

Get The Right Plant Hire Insurance Policy

Plant hire insurance isn’t just for big companies — it’s for anyone who uses or rents out equipment. If you work with plant, even occasionally, this cover could save your business thousands in unexpected costs.

Whether you’re a contractor using hired-in kit or a plant hire business with your own fleet — don’t risk it. Get the protection your business deserves.

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/