Your builder's insurance
Ask for evidence of public liability cover and check:
- how much cover there is
- that it is current for the whole job
- any exclusions for party wall work, underpinning or excavation, which some policies limit
Your own home insurance
Tell your insurer about major building work. Some policies restrict cover while work is under way, and an unexpected exclusion could leave you exposed.
Non-negligence cover
Damage can happen even when nobody is at fault, for example settlement caused by necessary digging. Ordinary liability policies may not respond to that. Non-negligent liability insurance is designed for it and is worth considering for basements and other higher-risk work.
What surveyors may ask for
Surveyors often ask to see the contractor's insurance before work starts, and on higher-risk jobs the neighbour may also ask for security for expenses. See security for expenses.
If damage happens
Report it to the surveyor and your builder at once. Whatever the insurance arrangements, the building owner's duty to put damage right, or pay for it, stays the same.
Common questions
My builder says their insurance covers everything. Is that enough?
Ask for the policy schedule and any exclusions in writing.
Where this comes from in the Act
Links go to the official text of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 on legislation.gov.uk.