Why Scaffolding Needs Its Own Public Liability Cover, Not a Standard Policy
A scaffolding business can get a quote and still not be covered. Why height exclusions and disclosure gaps are the two things that actually decide a claim.
Most standard public liability policies stop covering work above 6 to 12 metres. Scaffolding routinely happens well beyond that. That gap is why public liability cover for scaffolding generally needs to be built around the work from the start, not added on top of a general tradesman package.
6-12 metres
common height exclusion on standard tradesman public liability policies
A quote isn't automatic cover
a claim can still be declined if the actual job doesn't match what was disclosed
A licence first
scaffolding above a set height needs a High Risk Work Licence before work starts
Does a standard public liability policy cover scaffolding work?
Not reliably. Standard tradesman public liability policies commonly apply a height exclusion, often somewhere between 6 and 12 metres, above which cover may not respond without a specific endorsement. Scaffolding regularly involves work above these limits as a matter of course. It’s not an edge case. That’s the practical reason scaffolding is generally written as its own risk, with the height built into the policy from the outset, rather than treated as a standard trades package with height added on afterward. Exact exclusions vary by insurer, so the policy wording is what actually decides a claim.1
A height exclusion doesn't announce itself until a claim happens. By then it's too late to check whether the policy was ever built for the work.
Do scaffolders need a High Risk Work Licence?
Generally yes. Scaffolding work above a set height, along with dogging and rigging, typically requires a High Risk Work Licence under work health and safety law before work can start.2 The certificate of currency that follows the licence is usually expected at a limit well above a standard small business policy, commonly $10 million up to $20 million or more on government and council tenders, though the figure that actually applies depends on the specific site and principal contractor.
Does getting a quote mean a scaffolding business is actually covered?
Not automatically, and this is where scaffolding businesses get caught out even after doing the right thing and arranging cover. Insurers price and quote scaffolding risk against what’s disclosed when the policy is arranged: the working height, the type of project and the scope of work. If the actual job falls outside what was declared, a claim can be declined even though a policy is active and a premium has been paid. A height beyond what was disclosed, a project quoted as residential that turns out to be commercial (or the reverse) or work that was never approved as part of the design are the situations that most commonly cause a decline.
This is a different problem to the height exclusion above. A height exclusion sits in the policy wording, visible if you know to look for it. A disclosure gap is invisible until a claim is actually assessed against what was declared when the policy was first arranged. Keeping the disclosed scope of work accurate and current matters just as much as the height or the limit written into the policy.
What happens if a scaffold plank fails and someone is injured below?
This is one of the clearest examples of why the height exclusion matters in practice. A plank fails on a residential or commercial scaffold. A passerby or worker below is struck by falling material. Public liability cover is designed to respond to that third party claim, provided the policy was actually built for work at height in the first place. A standard tradesman package carrying an unmodified height exclusion can leave a scaffolder exposed at exactly the moment cover was needed most.
Public liability covers third party injury and property damage. It doesn’t cover the scaffold materials themselves moving between sites, which is generally a business pack question rather than a public liability one. Businesses that also design or certify a structure, rather than erecting it to someone else’s specification, carry a separate professional indemnity exposure worth reviewing alongside public liability.3
Key Takeaways
- Standard tradesman public liability policies commonly exclude work above 6 to 12 metres, a limit scaffolding routinely exceeds.
- A quote doesn't guarantee a claim will be covered. If the actual job doesn't match the height, project type or scope disclosed when the policy was arranged, a claim can still be declined.
- Scaffolding above a set height generally requires a High Risk Work Licence before work can start.
- A scaffold plank failure is one of the most common scaffolding claims. It's exactly where an unmodified height exclusion causes real problems.
- Professional indemnity is only relevant if the business also designs or certifies a structure, not for erecting scaffolding to someone else's specification.
If you run a scaffolding business and aren’t certain your current policy was actually built for the heights you work at, Cipher can review it against your specific sites. See our full High Risk Trades page for how scaffolding fits alongside the other trades we work with, or get in touch directly.
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute legal, financial or insurance advice. Please speak with a qualified adviser about your specific circumstances.
Footnotes
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Insurance explained, Insurance Council of Australia ↩
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Types of business insurance, business.gov.au ↩
Frequently asked questions
Does a standard public liability policy cover scaffolding work?
Not reliably. Standard tradesman public liability policies commonly apply a height exclusion, often somewhere between 6 and 12 metres, above which cover may not respond without a specific endorsement. Scaffolding regularly involves work above these limits, so a policy built around that exposure from the outset is generally needed rather than a standard package with an add-on.
What height limit applies to public liability insurance for scaffolders?
It varies by insurer, but a height exclusion somewhere between 6 and 12 metres is common on standard tradesman policies. Above that limit, a standard policy may not respond to a claim at all without a specific endorsement, which is why scaffolding is generally written as its own risk rather than folded into a general trades package.
Does a scaffolding quote guarantee a claim will actually be covered?
Not automatically. Insurers price and quote scaffolding cover against what's disclosed when the policy is arranged: the working height, the type of project and the scope of work. If the actual job falls outside what was declared, a height beyond what was disclosed or a residential job quoted as commercial (or the reverse), a claim can be declined even though a policy is active and the premium has been paid. Keeping the disclosed scope accurate matters as much as the policy limit itself.
Do scaffolders need a High Risk Work Licence?
Generally yes. Scaffolding above a certain height, along with dogging and rigging, typically requires a High Risk Work Licence under work health and safety law before work can start. The certificate of currency that follows is usually expected at a limit well above a standard small business policy.
What happens if a scaffold plank fails and someone is injured below?
This is one of the more common scaffolding claims. If a plank fails and a passerby or worker below is struck by falling material, public liability cover is designed to respond to that third party claim, provided the policy was actually built for work at height. A standard tradesman package with an unmodified height exclusion can leave a scaffolder exposed at exactly this moment.
Do scaffolding businesses need professional indemnity insurance too?
Generally not, unless the business also certifies or designs a scaffold structure rather than just erecting it to someone else's specification. Public liability responds to physical injury or property damage. Professional indemnity responds to a financial loss claim arising from advice, design or certification, a different exposure that only applies where that kind of work is actually part of the job.
What information do insurers need to quote scaffolding insurance?
Insurers typically ask about the type of scaffolding work, maximum working height, whether the business holds a High Risk Work Licence, annual turnover, number of employees and claims history. Presenting this clearly makes a real difference to both the price and the range of insurers willing to quote.
Questions about your cover?
Cipher can review your current position and explain what you actually have.
Talk to Cipher