Scaffolding Insurance: Understanding Your Coverage

Insurance issues cause confusion and leave projects exposed. Know what’s covered and ensure adequate protection.

Insurance Types Involved

Scaffolding Provider’s Insurance

What Providers Should Carry:

Public Liability:

• Covers third-party injury
• Property damage to others
• Minimum typically $1-5 million
• Essential for any provider

Professional Indemnity:

• Design errors and omissions
• Engineering advice coverage
• Important for engineered structures
• Varies by provider

Workers’ Compensation:

• Employee injury coverage
• Mandatory for all employers
• Covers workplace accidents
• Claims through ACC in NZ

Equipment Insurance:

• Covers owned equipment
• Theft and damage protection
• May not cover while on hire
• Check specific terms

Property Owner’s Insurance

What Property Owners Need:

Public Liability:

• Your liability to third parties
• May cover scaffold-related incidents
• Check with your insurer
• Adequate limits essential

Property Insurance:

• Building coverage
• May exclude construction work
• Notify insurer of major work
• Check exclusion clauses

Contract Works:

• Coverage during construction
• Often separate from property policy
• May be required by contract
• Recommended for major projects

Contractor’s Insurance

What Contractors Should Carry:

Public Liability:

• Essential for any contractor
• Covers their work activities
• Minimum $1 million recommended
• Verify current coverage

Contract Works:

• Coverage for the project
• Materials and work in progress
• Often required contractually
• Check specific requirements

Who’s Liable for What?

Scaffolding Provider

Liable For:

• Safe design and installation
• Equipment condition and maintenance
• Inspection compliance
• Employee safety
• Their professional advice

Not Typically Liable For:

• Work performed from scaffold
• Damage caused by workers using scaffold
• Weather events affecting scaffold
• Unauthorized modifications

Property Owner

Liable For:

• Site conditions notification
• Providing safe access
• Occupant safety
• Permissions and consents
• Insurance coverage

Not Typically Liable For:

• Scaffold installation defects
• Equipment failures
• Provider employee injuries

Principal Contractor

Liable For:

• Overall site safety
• Trade coordination
• Worker management
• Site-specific safety plans
• Their employees’ actions

Coverage Gaps to Watch

Common Exclusions

Property Insurance:

• Often excludes construction work
• May not cover scaffold damage
• Check exclusion clauses carefully
• Notify insurer before major work

Public Liability:

• May have height restrictions
• Construction work exclusions common
• May require notification
• Limits may be inadequate

Contract Works:

• May have duration limits
• Value restrictions possible
• Specific exclusions apply
• May not cover existing structures

Underinsurance Risks

Consequences:

• Claims denied or reduced
• Personal liability exposure
• Project financial impact
• Legal costs not covered

Adequate Coverage:

• Review limits annually
• Increase for major projects
• Consider worst-case scenarios
• Professional advice recommended

Contract Clauses to Include

Insurance Requirements

In Your Contract:

• Specify minimum coverage amounts
• Require certificates of currency
• Name interested parties
• Require notification of changes
• Include evidence requirements

Typical Requirements:

• Public liability: $1-5 million
• Professional indemnity: $1 million (for design)
• Evidence provided before work starts
• Coverage maintained throughout

Indemnity Clauses

Mutual Indemnity:

• Each party responsible for their negligence
• Clear liability allocation
• Reasonable and enforceable

Hold Harmless:

• One party indemnifies another
• Can be one-way or mutual
• Check enforceability

Before Hiring Scaffolding

Questions to Ask Providers

1. What insurance do you carry?
2. What are the coverage limits?
3. Can you provide certificates?
4. Does insurance cover this project type?
5. Are there any exclusions I should know about?
6. Who’s covered under your policy?
7. What’s the claims process?

Documentation to Obtain

• Certificate of currency for public liability
• Professional indemnity certificate (if applicable)
• Workers’ comp evidence
• Insurance company details
• Policy numbers and expiry dates

Mana Scaffolding’s Insurance Coverage

What We Provide

Public Liability:

• Minimum $2 million coverage
• Covers scaffolding operations
• NZ-wide coverage
• Current certificates available

Professional Indemnity:

• Engineering advice coverage
• Design services protected
• $1 million minimum
• Applicable to complex projects

Workers’ Compensation:

• Full ACC coverage
• All employees covered
• Compliant with NZ law

Evidence Available

• Certificates of currency on request
• Updated annually
• Specific project documentation
• Additional insured arrangements possible

Insurance questions? Contact Mana Scaffolding at 0508 626 272 for current coverage details.