Why farm insurance is not home and contents A standard home and contents policy is…
Earthmoving and Plant Insurance — A Practical Guide for Contractors
Mobile plant is not covered by standard business insurance
Earthmoving equipment, mobile cranes, scrapers, graders and loaders occupy an unusual position in the insurance market — too large and specialised for a standard business pack, but not motor vehicles in the conventional sense. Mobile plant insurance is a specialist class with terms that vary significantly between insurers and machine types. This page provides general information only and is not personal advice.
What mobile plant insurance typically covers
A mobile plant policy covers the machine against physical damage — collision, rollover, fire, theft and in some cases accidental damage — while being operated, transported or stored. Most policies also include a third-party liability component covering damage the machine causes to third-party property during operation.
Key variables include: agreed value versus market value basis (affecting total loss settlements), coverage during loading and unloading, whether hired-in machines are covered, and whether the policy responds to operations in specific environments such as near water or on unstable ground.
Wet hire versus dry hire
If you hire equipment to others, the distinction between wet hire (machine plus operator) and dry hire (machine only, operated by the hirer) is critical. Under dry hire, control passes to the hirer — which affects damage liability, how liability is allocated, and what your policy responds to. Many plant owners operating under dry hire do not have adequate cover for the hire period. This is a gap we see regularly.
Contract requirements
Civil and construction contracts frequently specify minimum public liability limits — $10 million, $20 million or higher — as a condition of working on a project. They may also require specific endorsements or name the principal as an interested party. Review contract insurance requirements before you price a job. Contract works insurance — covering damage to works in progress — is a separate consideration not automatically included in a plant policy.
Common gaps we see
Machines not listed on the policy (recently purchased or hired-in equipment); operations outside the geographic area or activity type stated; operators not meeting competency or licensing requirements; damage during transport not covered in transit; and attachments — buckets, blades, ripper teeth — excluded or sub-limited.
How Wideland approaches earthmoving and plant insurance
We work with specialist plant underwriters across the Steadfast and CBN panel. If you are tendering for a new contract or have recently changed your machine fleet, contact us before the contract is signed or equipment mobilised.
All information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute personal advice. Cover availability, terms, exclusions and premiums vary by insurer, machine type and individual circumstance. Wideland Insurance Brokers · WebInsure Pty Ltd ABN 32 054 247 666 · AR 000271148 of CBN AFSL 233750.
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