Scaffolding Insurance Cover and Exclusions
Map each major scaffolding exposure to the right policy section, then read the restrictions that can change the outcome.
Australia
National market access
$10M–$20M
Limits contracts often specify
Specialist
Scaffolding placement
Recognition
The Tank take
There is no single standard ‘scaffolding insurance’ policy. A program can combine public and products liability, equipment, commercial motor, property and other covers. Each section responds to a different loss and carries its own definitions, limits, excesses, conditions and exclusions.
The schedule and endorsements can narrow or expand a base wording. Always compare the complete quote, not a product name or certificate alone.
What sits in liability cover, and what needs its own section
Public liability anchors the program, but it does not insure everything a scaffolding business owns or does. Each exposure needs to be declared and insured under the right section.
Usually covered
- Legal liability for third-party personal injury arising from insured operations
- Third-party property damage caused by your work, subject to the wording
- Products liability for scaffold components supplied, sold or hired
- Defence costs - check whether they sit inside or outside the limit
- Principal's indemnity where a contract requires it and the wording allows
Needs its own section
- Damage or theft of your own scaffold, tools and depot stock - equipment or property cover
- Hired-in plant beyond ordinary legal liability - check the hire agreement and limit
- Trucks, trailers and forklifts - commercial motor cover
- Employee injury - state or territory workers compensation
- Design, certification or professional advice - professional indemnity
The schedule and endorsements can narrow or expand a base wording. Compare the complete quote, not a product name or certificate alone.
Exclusions and restrictions that change outcomes
Wording varies between markets, but these are the restrictions scaffolding businesses should specifically look for before accepting a quote. An exclusion's effect depends on its exact drafting and the facts.
Height limits and restrictions on suspended, hung, cantilevered or mast-climbing systems. A policy quoted for modular work at 10 metres may not respond to a suspended scaffold job. Declare the true maximum and check the schedule.
Excluded industries, geographies or work above railways, roads or water. Mining, petrochemical, demolition, asbestos, airport and marine sites are common referral or exclusion points.
Damage to property being worked on, or property in your care, custody or control, is commonly restricted or sublimited. This can catch the building you are scaffolding as well as hired-in gear.
The cost of redoing defective work is commonly excluded. Resulting third-party damage may be treated differently depending on the wording and facts - the distinction matters in a dispute.
Employee injury belongs to workers compensation. Labour-hire and subcontractor conditions can impose minimum limits, written-contract requirements or exclusions for particular work.
Liability assumed under contract beyond what would otherwise exist at law can be excluded. Send the actual contract clause to your broker rather than summarising it.
Design, advice, certification and calculations may be excluded from liability cover. If you modify engineered systems or accept design responsibility, professional indemnity may need consideration.
Asbestos, pollution, silica, welding and hot-work restrictions, plus known circumstances, prior incidents and non-disclosure remedies. Disclose accurately - remedies for non-disclosure can affect the whole policy.
Height work needs the right market, not more form-filling
Tell us your maximum height, project mix and the limit your contract requires. We take it to insurers with genuine scaffolding appetite.
When design or certification enters the scope
A liability policy may exclude professional advice, design, certification or calculations. If the business designs unusual scaffolds, modifies engineered systems, provides load calculations or accepts contractual design responsibility, disclose this work. Professional indemnity or design-and-construct cover may need consideration.
Holding a liability policy does not imply professional services are covered. Conversely, professional indemnity does not replace liability cover for bodily injury or property damage unless the wording expressly says so.
A policy review checklist
- Confirm every legal entity and trading name that needs cover.
- Match the business description to actual work, including hire, sales, import and design.
- Check height, location and activity restrictions against the coming year's projects.
- Reconcile each contract limit and endorsement request.
- Separate owned-property, hired-property, motor and liability exposures.
- Read excesses, defence-cost treatment, aggregates and retroactive or run-off issues where relevant.
- Report material business changes before relying on the policy.
More scaffolding insurance guides
Questions about scaffolding insurance cover and exclusions
Generally, public liability is aimed at third-party claims, not damage to your own property. Equipment or property cover may be required, and conditions for theft, transit and unattended property can apply.
Not necessarily. A certificate is not a substitute for the policy schedule, endorsements and wording. Check the full documents and any written underwriting conditions.
The cost of correcting defective work is commonly excluded or restricted. Resulting third-party damage may be treated differently depending on the wording and facts. Obtain claims advice promptly.
Some packages combine sections, but each exposure still needs to be declared and insured under the appropriate section. Commercial motor is often separate.
General information only. This page does not take account of your objectives, financial situation or needs and is not legal or WHS advice. Cover depends on the insurer, policy wording, limits, excesses, exclusions and information disclosed. Read the relevant policy documents and obtain professional advice before deciding.
Put your scaffolding risk in front of the right markets
Tell us what you do, where you work and the limit your contract requires. We will explain the available terms and exclusions before you decide.