Contractor insurance

Fire and Security Contractors Insurance

Cover for firms installing, maintaining and commissioning alarms, CCTV, access control and life-safety systems.

Start with the exposure

Understand the exposure before comparing terms.

Installation businesses can face overlapping liability, product, design, efficacy and contractual risks. Your policy needs to reflect both the physical work and any advice, specification or commissioning you provide.

OAK VIEW

We map the policy to the complete job: survey, design, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance.

Cover to consider

Built from the risk outwards.

Availability and scope depend on insurer acceptance and the terms offered for your business.

Public, product and employers' liability

Core liability protection for covered injury, damage and product allegations, with activities and subcontracting declared correctly.

Professional indemnity

Relevant where you design, specify, survey, advise, commission or accept a professional responsibility.

Efficacy

Specialist policies may address covered allegations that a system failed to perform its intended function.

Tools, plant and contract works

Physical assets and work in progress can be included where required and accepted by insurers.

Practical buying guidance

Separate design, installation, testing and maintenance

A contractor may specify a system, install equipment, commission it and return for maintenance. Each stage can involve a different allegation if the system fails to perform. Explain which responsibilities the business accepts and which are retained by a designer, manufacturer or client.

Fire alarms, intruder alarms, CCTV, access control and suppression systems should be described accurately, together with the buildings and sectors served. Tell Oak about certification, subcontractors, hot works, work at height and any consequential-loss commitments in contracts.

Efficacy, professional indemnity and products liability are different cover questions. The trigger for an installation fault may differ from a claim about a design recommendation or a supplied product. Insurer acceptance and the policy terms determine the response.

Compare the wording, not just the premium

Check efficacy exclusions, design restrictions, work away limits and contractual guarantees. Make sure activities are declared before work starts rather than relying on a broad contractor description.

For more detail, read Security contracts and insurance: seven clauses to check before signing and Fire-safety consultant insurance: professional indemnity, scope and records.

Common questions

Useful answers before you approach the market.

Are subcontractors covered automatically?+

No assumption should be made. Labour-only and bona-fide subcontractors can be treated differently and policy conditions may apply.

Does product liability include installation?+

The interaction between public, product and professional liability depends on the wording and the nature of the allegation. It should be reviewed rather than assumed.

Can you cover work in high-risk premises?+

Potentially, but airports, power stations, large industrial sites and other high-risk locations may need referral and special terms.

Speak directly to Oak

Talk to Oak about fire and security contractors insurance.

Tell us what you do, what needs protecting and when the policy renews. We'll take it from there.

Start an enquiry 0330 133 4386