Cladding, rainscreen & façade installation

Cladding & façade contractors insurance

Since Grenfell, cladding is one of the most scrutinised trades in construction, and many insurers now decline façade work outright. Apex arranges cover for cladding, rainscreen and façade installation contractors — for the physical works and the liability that comes with them — through specialist construction capacity. What’s available depends heavily on the systems and materials you install, and we’ll be straight with you about that.

Part of: Construction & contractor insurance at Apex

In short

Cover for cladding, rainscreen and façade installation contractors: public and employers’ liability, contract works and working-at-height exposure. Terms depend on the cladding systems and materials involved.

Why cladding is hard to place

Cladding sits under a spotlight that hasn’t moved since 2017. Insurers worry about combustible systems, the cost of getting a façade wrong, and exposure to work done years ago, so many apply blanket declines to anything with the word “cladding” on it. Working at height is a given on top of all that. The result is a trade where good, safe contractors get turned away because of the label rather than the risk.

We place façade installers through underwriters who look at what you actually fit and how, rather than refusing the category on sight.

What the insurance covers

Public and employers’ liability as an installer carrying out the works.
Contract works on the installation.
Working at height and access equipment.
Owned and hired-in plant.
Damage to the building you’re fixing to.

This page is about your liability and the works. Design, specification and fire-safety advice — the EWS1 and professional side — sit under professional indemnity; ask us and we’ll deal with both sides.

Work we can look at

Rainscreen and through-colour render systems
Curtain walling and SFS
Recladding and remediation works
Balcony and terrace works
External wall insulation (EWI)

Combustible systems and certain ACM/HPL works are harder to place and underwritten on the specifics — material specification, testing and surveys drive the terms. Tell us what you install and we’ll tell you honestly what can be arranged.

What underwriters want to see

The systems and materials you install, whether you do new-build or remediation, your site RAMS and fire precautions, how you control subcontractors, and any historic combustible work. Clear answers here are what turn a decline into a quote.

Related construction cover

Construction hubAll contractor cover Flat roofingAnother hard-to-place trade Professional indemnityDesign & fire-safety advice Contractors all risksThe works, on site

Frequently asked

Does the type of cladding matter?

Enormously. Non-combustible A1/A2 systems are far easier to place than combustible ACM or HPL. Tell us exactly what you install — it drives everything.

Can you cover recladding and remediation?

Often, yes — it’s in demand and genuinely hard to place. Terms depend on the system being removed and the replacement specification.

Is this professional indemnity or public liability?

This page is about liability and the works. Design, specification and fire-safety advice sit under professional indemnity — ask us and we’ll cover both.

Historic cladding work — am I exposed?

Possibly; liability policies respond on their own terms and dates. We’ll talk through past contracts so nothing is a surprise.

Working at height?

Central to the trade and fully contemplated. Underwriters will want your access methods and RAMS.

Straight answers on cladding cover

Tell us the systems you install and the work you do, and we’ll tell you what can be placed — and arrange it. Or call 0117 325 0027.

Get a quote Call 0117 325 0027

Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information, not advice on your individual circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.