Smarter business insurance

Earthmoving & Excavator Insurance.
Protection for Civil and Excavation.

Get personalised cover for your earthmoving or excavation business. Keep your equipment, team and operations protected.

100%

AU Owned

24h

Typical Turnaround

50+

Civil Risks

Recognition

Industry Awards

Access to Australia's leading insurers and underwriting agencies, including:

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What is Earthmoving & Excavator Insurance?

Earthmoving and Excavator Insurance is a customised insurance package that protects businesses, contractors and owner-operators involved in earthmoving and excavation work.

This includes activities like digging, grading, land clearing, site preparation and landscaping which rely on heavy machinery. The insurance combines various types of coverage to address the specific risks of operating expensive equipment in potentially hazardous environments, such as construction sites or mining operations.

RISK ARCHITECTURE

What does Earthmoving & Excavator Insurance cover?

Provides cover for accidental damage to your machinery, such as hitting a rock, overturning, or mechanical failure during operation. Excavators and bulldozers are significant investments that require robust protection.

Theft is a major concern on unsecured or remote worksites. Specialist cover can help protect your business from the significant costs associated with equipment theft.

Excavation work can accidentally damage nearby property, such as underground utilities: water mains, gas lines or adjacent structures. This cover handles the resulting repair costs.

Operating heavy machinery can lead to injuries to bystanders, workers or pedestrians. This insurance can cover costly compensation claims resulting from such incidents.

Excavation can disturb hazardous materials, causing soil contamination or spills. This may lead to clean-up costs or regulatory fines, which can be covered by the right policy.

Equipment breakdowns, theft or legal disputes can halt operations, causing lost income and project delays. This cover helps bridge the gap during periods of downtime.

Earthmoving and excavator insurance is not a single policy but a combination of coverages tailored to your business.

SECTOR ANALYSIS

Who can benefit from Earthmoving & Excavator Insurance?

Our insurance solutions are designed for a wide range of professionals and businesses in the excavation and civil construction space.

Abstract engineering detail

Businesses or sole traders hired to perform excavation, land clearing, grading or site preparation for construction projects, roadworks or landscaping.

Firms managing residential, commercial or infrastructure projects that use earthmoving equipment, either owned or hired.

Businesses that lease out earthmoving equipment, either without an operator (dry hire) or with one (wet hire).

Professionals involved in landscaping, road construction or civil works, using equipment like bobcats or mini-excavators.

Companies operating heavy machinery in resource extraction or quarrying, often in remote or high-risk environments.

Independent operators who own or lease a single piece of equipment, such as an excavator or skid-steer loader, for small-scale projects.

Close up of heavy machinery hydraulics

Why these risks matter

The earthmoving and excavation industry faces unique challenges that can disrupt your business without proper coverage:

  • High Costs: Equipment repairs or replacements and liability claims can cost tens of thousands.
  • Regulatory Requirements: Many construction sites in Australia require proof of insurance to comply with Work Health and Safety regulations.
  • Frequent Incidents: Utility strikes, equipment theft and accidents are common in civil works.
  • Business Continuity: Uninsured losses can lead to downtime, project delays or even bankruptcy for small operators.

The earthmoving industry operates with high-value assets in high-risk environments. Proper coverage is a fundamental requirement for business continuity and regulatory compliance.

KNOWLEDGE BASE

Frequently asked questions

Yes, most policies can cover your equipment across multiple worksites. You will need to declare all equipment and sites when setting up your policy to ensure full coverage. If you frequently move equipment, you can reach out to us at Tank Insurance about Road Risk Liability to cover transport-related incidents.
Yes, Earthmoving & Excavator Insurance can cover older or second-hand equipment, like a used bulldozer or grader, as long as it is in good working condition and its value is declared accurately. Insurers may require an inspection or maintenance records for older machines to assess risk.
Standard Earthmoving & Excavator Insurance typically does not cover breakdowns due to normal wear and tear as these are considered maintenance issues. However, some policies offer optional Breakdown Cover for mechanical or electrical failures which can be helpful for high-use equipment.
Striking underground utilities, like water mains or cables, is a common risk in excavation. Public Liability can cover third-party damage, such as repair costs for a damaged gas line.
Yes, short-term Earthmoving & Excavator Insurance is available for specific projects such as a three-month site preparation job. These policies can cover equipment, liability and contract works for the project’s duration.

Get a quote

Protect your equipment and your business with a tailored insurance package. Call us on 02 9000 1155 or request a quote online.