PAS 2030 / PAS 2035 Insurance & Risk Guide for Retrofit Installers, Designers & Coordinators
The PAS 2030 / PAS 2035 framework introduces new responsibilities for installers, designers, assessors and coordinators involved in domestic energy retrofit. These responsibilities come with complex risks, long-tail liability and potential for high-value claims — so specialist insurance is critical.
This PAS 2030 / PAS 2035 Insurance & Risk Guide, created by SRS Insurance, explains:
- The key risks retrofit contractors face
- Essential insurance protections
- Common claim scenarios
- Dangerous exclusions often found in generic policies
- How to protect your business from long-term liability
This is insurance and risk guidance only — not PAS 2030/2035 compliance advice.
Who This Guide Applies To
This guide supports insurance protection for:
- PAS 2030 Installers
- Retrofit Assessors
- Retrofit Designers
- Retrofit Coordinators
- Insulation installers (EWI / IWI / CWI / Loft / Floor)
- Heating & ventilation installers
- Window/door installers
- Air tightness testers
- ECO4 contractors
- Whole-house retrofit companies
Key Risks Under PAS 2030 & PAS 2035
PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 require a coordinated, risk-based approach to retrofit — and each role carries specific liability exposures.
1. Moisture Risk, Damp & Mould Claims (Highest PAS-related exposure)
Caused by:
- Poor moisture risk assessment
- Incorrect ventilation strategy
- Thermal bridging
- Interstitial condensation
- Unmanaged moisture pathways
- Wrong insulation selection
Claims frequently exceed £10,000–£100,000+.
2. Incorrect Design or Assessment (PAS 2035 Roles)
Retrofit Designers and Coordinators face significant PI exposure.
Claims arise from:
- Incorrect risk pathways
- Poor design documentation
- Wrong insulation system type
- Incorrect ventilation requirements
- Failure to identify moisture risk
- Incorrect EPR ratings
- Wrong sequencing of measures
3. Installation Failures (PAS 2030 Installers)
Poor installation can cause:
- Damp
- Failed ventilation
- Water ingress
- Thermal bridging
- Structural deterioration
Most common claim types for PAS 2030 installers.
4. Mis-Specification or Unsuitable Measures
Examples:
- EWI installed on unsuitable walls
- IWI causing interstitial condensation
- Loft insulation causing cold bridging
- Floor insulation blocking air flow
- Glazing installed without adequate ventilation
Installer or designer may be liable.
5. Long-Tail Liability Exposure
Retrofit claims can arise:
- Months later
- Years later
- After occupants change
- After new damp/mould occurs
This is why continuous PI & PL is essential.
6. Biomass System Risks
Biomass boilers introduce:
- Commissioning
- Design
- Sizing
- Extraction
- Airflow balancing
…can lead to condensation and mould claims.
Essential Insurance Covers for PAS 2030 / PAS 2035 Contractors
1. Public Liability Insurance (PL)
Covers injury or property damage caused during installation.
PL for retrofit contractors must include:
- Insulation installation
- Ventilation installation
- Moisture damage cover
- Thermal bridging claims
- Property being worked upon
- Water ingress
- Work at height (if applicable)
- Structural damage
Recommended limits:
- Small contractors: £2m–£5m
- ECO4 / large projects: £5m–£10m
2. Professional Indemnity Insurance (PI)
Vital for:
- Retrofit Coordinators
- Retrofit Designers
- Assessors
- Anyone advising on suitability
- Anyone specifying materials or measures
PI protects against:
- Specification errors
- Incorrect design
- Moisture risk mistakes
- Poor ventilation strategy
- Documentation errors
- Inaccurate reporting
- Wrong retrofit pathway
Recommended limits:
£500k – £5m depending on role and project size.
3. Employers’ Liability Insurance (EL)
Required for businesses employing:
- Installers
- Surveyors
- Coordinators
- Fitters
- Labour-only subcontractors
Legal minimum: £10m.
4. Tools, Equipment & Plant Insurance
Retrofit contractors use:
- Blower doors
- Moisture meters
- Drilling equipment
- Insulation machines
- Power tools
- Ventilation commissioning tools
These are expensive to replace if stolen.
5. Contract Works Insurance
Important for:
- Large retrofit upgrades
- ECO4 schemes
- EWI/cladding projects
- Multi-measure installs
Covers:
- Materials on site
- Work in progress
- Weather damage
- Fire
- Vandalism
- Theft
Common Insurance Mistakes PAS 2030/2035 Contractors Should Avoid
No condensation, thermal bridging or moisture cover
Most cheap PL policies exclude this — completely unsuitable for retrofit.
No PI for designers or coordinators
If you design, specify or advise, you need PI.
Incorrect trade descriptions
Policies should list:
- Insulation installation
- Retrofit design/coordination (if applicable)
- Ventilation installation
- Energy retrofit services
PL without cover for water ingress
This is a primary retrofit claim type.
No retroactive PI cover
Claims often appear years later.
PL that excludes “property worked upon”
This exclusion will block cavity, loft, wall and internal damage claims.
No cover for subcontractors
Labour-only subcontractors MUST be included under EL and PL.
Not checking height limits
Many installers use scaffolding or access towers.
Typical Claims Faced by PAS 2030 / PAS 2035 Contractors
Moisture Ingress Claim (£20,000–£80,000)
Wrong design or incorrect insulation detail.
Thermal Bridging Claim (£10,000–£40,000)
Missed cold spots or incorrect installation.
Ventilation System Failure (£6,000–£30,000)
Poor commissioning leads to damp and mould.
Internal Property Damage (£3,000–£15,000)
Caused during insulation or ventilation installation.
Incorrect Retrofit Assessment (£5,000–£25,000)
Assessment errors leading to unsuitable measures.
Installation Failure Claim (£10,000–£50,000)
CWI/EWI/IWI installation problems.
Tool Theft (£1,000–£10,000)
Common for retrofit teams.
Recommended Insurance Checklist for PAS 2030 / PAS 2035 Contractors
Ensure your insurance includes:
- Insulation installation
- Ventilation installation
- Moisture ingress cover
- Condensation / thermal bridging cover
- Professional indemnity
- Retrofit design / advice cover
- Tools & equipment cover
- Employers’ Liability
- PL £2m–£10m
- “Property worked upon” cover
- Retroactive PI protection
- Contract Works
This is risk guidance, not PAS compliance advice.
Why PAS 2030 & PAS 2035 Contractors Choose SRS Insurance
- Specialists in insulation, retrofit & ECO installer insurance
- Proper moisture, ventilation & condensation protection
- A-rated UK insurers
- Tools & plant cover available
- Same-day certificates available
- Ideal for small installers, coordinators & large ECO contractors
We insure retrofit specialists across the UK.
