Overview
A brick and block plant forms clay or concrete into brick, pavers, and concrete masonry units, then fires or cures them for use in construction. The process moves enormous amounts of heavy, dense material through molding, kilns or curing chambers, and palletizing, and finished products are typically delivered by the plant's own trucks to job sites and yards. Because masonry units are structural and heavy, both product performance and material handling create meaningful exposure. A tailored program may help align kiln and plant property, equipment breakdown, product liability, and fleet coverage with the heavy-materials nature of the operation.
Part of our manufacturing insurance guidance.
Risk profile
Brick and block production is heavy, energy-intensive, and equipment-dependent. Kilns and curing chambers operate at high temperatures and represent both a major property value and a fire and breakdown exposure, while forming presses, conveyors, and forklifts move dense material continuously. Workers handle heavy units and operate machinery, producing crush, strain, and silica-dust exposures that weigh on workers' compensation. Finished masonry is structural, so a defective unit incorporated into a wall can raise product and completed-product questions. Most plants run delivery fleets that haul palletized brick and block to contractors and yards, adding auto and cargo exposure, and large outdoor inventories of finished product are subject to weather and handling damage.
Common risks
Kiln and curing system loss
High-temperature kilns and curing chambers carry fire and breakdown exposure, and a failure can halt the entire plant.
Heavy material handling injuries
Moving dense brick and block with presses, conveyors, and forklifts exposes workers to crush and strain injuries.
Silica dust exposure
Cutting and handling masonry generates respirable silica dust, creating worker health and regulatory exposure.
Defective masonry units
A brick or block that fails structurally after being built into a wall can lead to product and completed-product claims.
Delivery fleet accidents
Trucks hauling heavy palletized product to job sites and yards face collision, cargo, and loading exposure.
Equipment breakdown
Forming presses, conveyors, and mixing equipment are essential, and a sudden failure can stop production.
Outdoor inventory damage
Large stockpiles of finished brick and block stored in the yard are exposed to weather and handling damage.
Recommended coverages
Coverages commonly relevant to brick and block plant operations. Not every business needs the same policies.
Operational Coverage
Why tailored insurance matters
A brick and block plant is defined by heavy material flow, high-temperature kilns, and its own delivery fleet, a combination most generic policies do not address well. Coverage should reflect the kiln and equipment values, the structural nature of finished products, the silica-dust profile, outdoor inventory levels, and fleet size. A program coordinated across property, equipment breakdown, product, and auto may help the plant respond to a kiln loss or delivery accident without leaving gaps, subject to policy terms, and coverage availability depends on underwriting and loss history.
Hypothetical claim examples
Kiln breakdown halts production
A kiln control system fails and production stops while repairs are made. Equipment breakdown coverage may help with repair and lost income, depending on policy terms and exclusions.
Delivery truck collision
A loaded delivery truck is involved in a collision en route to a job site. Business auto coverage may respond to liability and damage, subject to the specific policy and facts.
Forklift injury in the yard
A worker is injured moving palletized block in the yard. Workers' compensation may respond to medical and wage costs, depending on policy terms and jurisdiction.
Hypothetical scenarios for illustration only. Coverage depends on the specific policy, endorsements, exclusions, and facts of each claim.
What affects insurance cost
- Kiln, curing, and forming equipment values
- Annual production volume and product mix
- Silica dust controls and safety programs
- Size and type of the delivery fleet
- Payroll and number of production employees
- Outdoor inventory levels and yard exposure
- Prior workers' compensation and auto claims
How much does it cost?
There is no single price for brick and block plant insurance — it depends on which of these coverages you carry and the specifics of your business. As a rough guide, here are general national averages for the coverages this business commonly needs.
- $1,000–$3,000 per year, depending heavily on property value and location
- $200–$800 per year, often added to a property policy
- $500–$1,500 per year, often bundled with general liability
- $500–$1,500 per year for many small businesses
- $1,500–$3,000 per vehicle per year
- $500–$3,000 per year, driven largely by payroll and job class codes
These are general national averages shown for comparison only — not a quote. Actual premiums vary widely with underwriting and depend on the factors above and the specifics of your business, including size, revenue, location, claims history, and the limits you choose. See how we estimate costs.
Coverage considerations
- Match property limits to kiln and equipment values
- Confirm equipment breakdown for kilns and presses
- Review silica-dust safety and workers' comp exposure
- Assess fleet limits for heavy delivery loads
- Consider outdoor inventory coverage for the yard
Common underwriting considerations
When insurers review a brick and block plant business, they commonly evaluate factors like these. This is educational information — nothing here is collected or submitted.
- Products manufactured and their end use — especially any safety-critical applications
- Annual revenue, production volume, and export activity
- Quality-control procedures, testing, and recall planning
- Property and equipment values, including specialized machinery
- Payroll, employee count, and workplace-safety programs
- Claims history, particularly product-liability and machinery losses
Common contractual insurance requirements
Contracts, leases, and licenses in this industry commonly impose insurance requirements such as these. Always review the specific wording in your own agreements.
- Supply agreements with larger customers commonly set minimum liability and umbrella limits
- Vendor and distributor agreements frequently require additional-insured status on product liability
- Equipment lessors and lenders require property coverage on financed machinery
- Contracts often include hold-harmless wording backed by contractual-liability coverage
- Some customer agreements require product-recall or contamination coverage
Common coverage mistakes
Mistakes businesses in this industry commonly make when arranging coverage — worth reviewing before you buy or renew.
- Carrying product-liability limits far below the exposure of the products made
- Underestimating business-income needs when a key machine or line goes down
- Overlooking equipment-breakdown coverage for presses, ovens, and production systems
- Missing coverage for tooling, dies, and customer-owned property in your care
- Failing to review completed-operations exposure on installed products
Frequently asked questions
What coverage does a brick and block plant typically need?
Plants commonly carry property, equipment breakdown, product, general liability, auto, and workers' compensation. The right mix depends on equipment, fleet, and operations, subject to underwriting.
Is the kiln covered if it breaks down?
Equipment breakdown may respond when a kiln or forming equipment suffers sudden mechanical or electrical failure, helping with repair and lost income, subject to policy terms.
Do we need product liability for masonry units?
Because brick and block are structural, product coverage may respond if a unit is alleged to have failed after construction, depending on the policy, endorsements, and exclusions.
How is silica dust treated by insurers?
Underwriters scrutinize silica controls because of worker health exposure. Strong dust management can affect workers' compensation terms, depending on the operation and jurisdiction.
Are deliveries to job sites covered?
Business auto is commonly needed for trucks hauling heavy product, responding to collision and liability exposure, depending on operations and the specific policy.
How are premiums for a brick plant determined?
Underwriters weigh equipment values, production, dust controls, fleet, and payroll. Not every plant needs the same policies, so pricing reflects the specific operation.
How do I get a quote?
Call The Southern Agency at 1-800-777-1872 or request a quote online for guidance tailored to your brick and block plant business.