Insurance for Earthmoving Contractors

Earthmoving Insurance is vital for operators working with heavy machinery on construction, civil, or excavation sites. Whether you run a bobcat, excavator, skid steer, dozer or tipper, insurance protects you from claims, theft, and costly downtime.

Do Earthmovers Need Insurance?

Yes — earthmoving contractors face high risks due to the size of machinery and the nature of excavation work. The size and power of earthmoving equipment increases your exposure to serious claims, and a single underground service strike or rollover could cost you tens of thousands if uninsured. Whether you’re digging footings, clearing sites, or trenching, you’re exposed to property damage, underground service strikes, and personal injury claims. We make it easy to get covered with public liability, machinery cover, and more.

Compare Earthmoving Insurance Quotes

We work with top-tier Australian insurers who understand the earthmoving and plant hire industry. Get competitive quotes that cover your machinery, your liability, and your income.

Earthmoving and Excavation Insurance Brokers

At Ausure, we specialise in arranging cover for tradespeople and understand the specific risks faced by businesses and workers in the earthmoving and excavation industry. We compare earthmoving insurance policies from trusted insurers, such as NTI, QBE, Vero, CGU, Chubb and others who specialise in construction, plant and equipment insurance.

What Insurance Does an Earthmoving Contractor Need?

Along with public liability insurance, which covers your business for property damage or personal injury that a third party suffers as a result of your business activities, the type of insurance your business needs depends on your equipment and the services you provide. Here are the most common types of insurance for earthmoving businesses in Australia:

Public Liability

Covers claims if your equipment or actions cause injury or property damage. For example, if an excavator damages a water main.

Mobile Plant & Equipment Insurance

Specialist cover for earthmoving machinery. Covers accidental damage, fire, rollover, theft, and transit risks — whether you own, lease, or finance the machine.

Personal Accident

Provides income replacement if you’re injured and unable to work. Earthmoving work is physical and high-risk — this is crucial protection for owner-operators.

Commercial Motor Insurance

Covers your truck, tipper or ute, including trailers or plant-in-transit.

Hired-In Plant Insurance

Protects you from liability and damage costs if you hire machinery for a job.

How Much Does Excavation Insurance Cost?

The cost of excavation insurance depends on a variety of factors, such as the scale of excavation work, the size of your team, your equipment and the amount of cover required. Most earthmoving businesses find they can get the cover they need with annual and monthly payment options generally available, depending on the insurer.

Get Earthmoving Insurance Quotes

Complete the form to get tailored quotes for earthmoving liability insurance, plant and equipment cover, and income protection — fast.

Request a Quote for Your Insurance Needs

What does your Insurance enquiry relate to?

Before we get started, what type of service are you looking for?

A full review by an Insurance Broker
Full Review to assess what insurances are required by a Insurance Broker

I know what I need - no advice or review required
No review or advice - quotes for insurance covers and limits you request. Depending on your enquiry, we may require additional information to provide a quote.

Select your preferred level of service below:

What is the primary type of Business, Trade, or Service that you provide?

Referrer Name

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What is your Business Name?

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Type of Business, Trade, or Service that you provide?

Do you have a building license?

What is your estimated Annual Turnover for this year?

No. of Employees including yourself

Does your business employ Contractors and/or Sub-Contractors or Labour Hire personnel?

Approximate $ paid to Sub Contractors/Contractors:

Do you ensure that Contractors, Subcontractors and/or Labour Hire personnel have their own liability, and keep record of where applicable, where necessary?

Tell us about the types of services and work you do for clients:

Business Activities

Do you do any work or provide services to customers in the following industries?

Manufacturing
Civil Works
Aviation
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Mining
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Public Utilities

Types of Services/Work Completed

Do you perform external work over 10M in height?

Does your work involve welding?

Do you perform underground work over 3M in depth?

Select Required Insurance Covers

If you are unsure or would like more information on any of the cover types, select 'Yes'.

Insurance Basics
Insurance types that are essential for most business and industry types.

	Yes
Liability
General Property (Tools)
Personal Accident
Commercial Motor
Contractual Liability
Workers Compensation
Other

Business Insurance Types Generally Required
Covers that are commonly required for most Businesses.

	Yes
Contract Works
Burglary
Business Interruption
Corporate Travel
Cyber
Flood
Fire & Perils
Glass
Money
Management Liability
Professional Indemnity
Trade Credit
Transit

Insurance That Applies to Some Businesses
Covers that are relevant for some businesses. generally taken by others in your industry to protect the essential risks of doing business.

Insurance That Applies to a Few Businesses

	Yes	No
Aviation
Environmental Liability
Cancellation & Abandonment
Marine Hull and P&I
Shiprepairers Liability
Investment Properties
Political Risk
Voluntary Workers

Businesses Relating to Customers Goods & Vehicles

Farm Insurance Cover Options

	Yes
Crop
Drones Insurance
Home Buildings
Harvested Crops
Gates & Fences
Livestock
Working Dogs
Farm Property
Farm Motor Vehicles
Farm Interruption
Machinery Farm Interruption
Motor Farm Interruption
Theft of Farm Property
Theft Farm Machinery
Other

	Yes
Home Insurance
Car Insurance
Landlord Insurance
Boat
Other

General Property

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Customise Your Liability Insurance

Preferred limit of Liability

$5M Limit$10M Limit$20M LimitNot sure / Other

Customise Your Personal Accident Insurance

Select your level of Personal Accident cover

$1000 per week Personal Accident$1500 per week Personal AccidentOther

Do you want to be covered for Accident Only OR Sickness too?

What is your Date of Birth?

Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions?

Please provide details

Customise Your General Property (Tools) Insurance

Level of General Property Cover Required

$5000 Tools Cover$7500 Tools CoverOther

Do you have any one Tool that is worth more more than $3000 in value?

Tools Over $3,000 In Value

Please specify items and values for each where value is more than $3000

Would you like us to suggest additional insurance types relevant to your Business?

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General Property

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Duty of Disclosure

Please Review Carefully

Before proceeding, ensure you disclose all relevant information. Non‑disclosure may lead to denial or reduction of claims, cancellation of your policy, or voiding of the contract (in cases of fraud). If anything below triggers a “Yes”, be prepared to provide details when requested.

Have you ever had an insurance policy cancelled, declined, or had special terms imposed?
Have you ever been declared bankrupt?
Have you ever been involved in a company or business that became insolvent or was subject to insolvency or voluntary administration (e.g. liquidation or receivership)?
Have you ever been convicted of any criminal offence (other than minor traffic convictions)?
Have you ever been liable for any civil offence or pecuniary penalty (exceeding $5,000)?

Do any of the above apply to you?

Please Provide Additional Details

Claims History

Have you ever had a claim declined or refused due to fraud, suspected fraud or suspicious circumstances?
Have you had any Business or Personal Insurance claims in the last 5 years?
Within the last 5 years, have you ever been charged or convicted of a criminal offence?

Is the answer YES to any of the above?

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Your Contact Details

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Last Name

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Your Existing Policy Details

To assist us in forwarding your enquiry to your current Insurance Broker, please provide details relating to your existing policies below.

Name of your Insurance Broker or Brokerage

If you are unable to provide the above, please provide details that may assist us in identifying your broker:
- Policy Number/s
- Insured's Name, Email or Phone Number listed on the policy
- Address listed on the policy

Details of you Enquiry

Address Details

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Expert Knowledge

A professional broker ensures you have coverage for your unique needs, giving you peace of mind with a tailored insurance program.

Save Time and Money

An insurance broker saves you time and money by understanding your business and securing quotes from leading insurers on your behalf.

We Are On Your Side

Your Ausure broker ensures you have suitable cover and handles the entire claims process, advocating for the outcome you deserve.

How Much Liability Insurance Do Earthmovers Need?

Most choose $10 million Public Liability, with higher options available up to $20 million or $50 million for large commercial or government work. Consider:

- Residential vs commercial/civil projects
- Council or government contract requirements
- Whether you work near utilities or public access areas

FAQs About Earthmoving Insurance

Can I insure just my excavator?

Yes — we offer standalone plant and machinery cover or package it with liability.

What if I hire machines occasionally?

We can include hired-in plant liability as part of your policy.

Do I need insurance if I subcontract to builders?

Yes — most builders require you to hold your own public liability and machinery insurance.

What if I finance my plant or truck?

We can issue certificates of insurance for financiers and leasing companies.

What are some examples of public liability claims?

Examples of real public liability claims include:

Underground Service Strike: An operator damaged a fibre-optic cable while digging on a residential job. The repair cost $18,500 — covered by liability insurance.
Retaining Wall Collapse: Earth was over-excavated, causing a boundary wall to collapse into a neighbouring yard. The claim was $26,000 in damages and legal fees.
Public Area Accident: A pedestrian tripped over earthworks signage left unsecured near a driveway entrance. The resulting injury claim totalled $11,200.

Earthmoving Insurance Australia-Wide

Ausure helps earthmoving businesses throughout Australia find excavation insurance policies. Whether you’re located in ACT (Australian Capital Territory), NSW (New South Wales), QLD (Queensland), SA (South Australia), VIC (Victoria), or WA (Western Australia), we can connect you with excavation insurance through our key insurance partners.

What Makes Ausure the Right Choice For Your Earthmoving Insurance?

Specialist knowledge of plant and civil contracting risks
Fast access to cover for your machines and fleet
Cover for hired-in plant and ongoing contracts
Full claims support from start to finish
Flexible payment options available

Our Story

Ausure began back in 1996, with founding offices in NSW, Victoria and the ACT. Since then, the business has grown to become one of Australia’s largest and most widely respected financial services companies.

	Yes	No
Audit & Investigation
Employee Dishonesty
Electronic Equipment
Machinery Breakdown
Machinery Business Interruption
Motor Business Interruption
Product Recall

	Yes	No	Not Sure
Customers Vehicles at Business
Customers Vehicles on Road
Driving Risk
Faulty Workmanship
Liability for Customers Vehicles

Earthmoving Insurance

Find earthmoving and excavation insurance cover at an affordable price for your business.