Shoring and underpinning insurance

Temporary support work can affect the stability of an existing building, retained ground or adjoining site. Scope boundaries between the designer, installer, builder and principal should be clear before cover is placed.

What changes the insurance assessment

Depth and support system; design responsibility; monitoring and survey records; condition reports; nearby foundations and utilities; groundwater; permanent versus temporary works; subcontractors and hold points.

Covers to discuss

Public/products liability and, where design, certification or professional supervision is undertaken, D&C PI. Discuss contract works, plant, existing property and wording on vibration, weakening and removal of support.

Shoring and underpinning questions

Provide typical excavation depths, retaining methods, geotechnical inputs and the nature of adjoining buildings. Clarify who designs temporary works, who approves changes on site, and how movement is measured before, during and after construction. Precondition surveys and monitoring records can be particularly important where occupied structures remain in use.

Discuss damage arising from settlement, vibration or loss of support explicitly with insurers. Public liability addresses third-party injury or property damage subject to wording; it may not answer a pure financial loss claim following alleged design or supervision error. Where engineering advice is part of the service, review professional indemnity and contractual liability terms as well.

Information to prepare

Provide a clear description and turnover split of your activities, locations, project values, required liability limits, licences, subcontractor arrangements, current policy and claims history. Include relevant contracts and methods for the higher-risk work. We will identify any further information underwriters need.

Questions contractors ask

“Is temporary works design covered under public liability?” Professional services exclusions can apply; review PI separately. “Can an existing property extension solve every adjoining property exposure?” Its scope and exclusions must be checked against the project.

Public and products liability guide · Contract works · D&C PI

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