Contract Works Insurance in Australia

Contract Works Insurance (also called Construction Works Insurance) is designed to protect your building project while it’s under construction. It covers loss or damage to the works caused by things like fire, storms, theft or accidental damage — from the day work starts until the project is completed.

At SureInsure, we help builders and contractors put the right cover in place, based on the actual risks of their project.

Contract Works Insurance generally covers the physical construction works and materials on site. This can include damage caused by fire, storms, theft, vandalism and accidental events during construction.

Depending on the policy, you can also add optional covers such as tools, plant, equipment and existing structures. Because every project is different, cover can vary between insurers.

Yes — they are the same. In Australia, the terms Contract Works Insurance and Construction Works Insurance are often used interchangeably. The cover itself doesn’t change; only the wording does.

In most cases, yes. Public Liability Insurance and Contract Works Insurance cover different risks.

Public Liability protects you if someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your work. Contract Works Insurance protects the actual construction project itself. One doesn’t replace the other.

A Single Project policy covers one specific build, from the start of construction through to completion.

An Annual Turnover (or annual blanket) policy covers multiple projects over a 12-month period. This option is often more practical for builders who work on several jobs each year.

SureInsure can help you decide which option makes more sense for your business.

You can do either. If you only take on occasional projects, insuring each job separately may be the best option. If you handle multiple projects throughout the year, an annual turnover policy can simplify things and often save time and cost.

Tools, plant and equipment aren’t always automatically included under a standard Contract Works policy. However, they can usually be added as an optional extension.

If you rely on high-value equipment on site, it’s important to make sure it’s properly covered.

Cover usually starts from the construction commencement date and continues until practical completion or handover of the project.

Clear start and end dates are important, as gaps in cover can create problems if a claim arises.

Yes. Construction delays are common, and most policies can be extended if the project takes longer than expected.

It’s important to arrange any extension before the policy expires so your project remains protected.

Some insurers are willing to cover projects that are already underway, but this usually comes with additional conditions or restrictions.

The terms will depend on how far along the project is, so it’s best to get advice as early as possible.

Existing Structure Cover protects any part of a building that was already there before construction started. This is especially important for renovation, extension or alteration projects.

If work on site could damage the original structure, this cover should be considered.

The cost of Contract Works Insurance depends on factors like the project value, type of construction, location, duration and any optional covers you choose.

Because no two projects are the same, pricing is usually tailored rather than fixed.

Yes. Contract Works Insurance can be tailored to suit your specific project. You can adjust sums insured, add tools and plant cover, include existing structures or extend the construction period.

SureInsure focuses on arranging cover that actually fits the way you work — not a one-size-fits-all policy.