What Contractors Must Know About Builders Risk Insurance
Builders risk insurance policies are pivotal for construction projects; hence, contractors should understand what they involve.
The risk insurance policy for the builder differs widely. It is the contractor who decides what fits for the project situation and timeframe. There are standard situations that are covered by most, if not all, policies such as theft, vehicular accidents, vandalism, wind (varies depending on the area), lightning, and vandalism.
However, there are certain exclusions to these policies that are often mistakenly associated with those that are included. It is important that you understand what these exclusions are. They usually involve employee theft, weather damage to property, water damage, war, and earthquakes. Separate earthquake insurance can be bought from most insurance companies.
Selecting the right timeframe for reporting your projects to be insured is also very important. There’s a Single Shot, Monthly Report, and Annual Report.
The annual report type may be the most ideal, especially for volume builders. Annual reporting requires contractors to give an estimate of their startups for the upcoming year as well as a rough estimate of the completed buildings the year after that. If, by chance, the number of completed houses exceeds the anticipated number, it will simply be adjusted at the time of audit.
The monthly report is similar to the annual report, except that contractors must report startups every month prior to the start of the project.
The single shot is a one-time report and is a separate process. For this type, the contractor must report per project. This type is only advisable for those who do large projects that take around a year to complete.
Three Things You Need To Know About Builders Risk Insurance Policy
What is builders risk insurance policy?
Builders risk insurance policy is taken when a building is being constructed. It can be just for the construction alone or it can include both the construction site and all the materials stored there and also the materials that are being brought to the site.
Who is responsible for buying the insurance policy?
It is normally the building owner who is responsible for buying insurance cover. This cover will be for the entire structure plus all the materials but the land cost will not be included in the policy.
What are the basic coverage provisions of a builders risk insurance policy?
Basic coverage includes accidents like fire, windstorm, lightning. Theft and vandalism is normally covered. Depending on the issuer of the policy earthquake, theft by employees and any damage done by unexpected weather are normally not included. They are called as standard exclusions.
The user must understand that this policies normally exclude poor construction design and if any loss happens due to it they will not be covered with this type of insurance policy.
With this type of builders insurance you will not get coverage for tools and equipments and there is no coverage for any liability. This policy does not include coverage for any construction accidents happening in the site insured.
However, the client can get insurance coverage extension for various things like debris removal, scaffolding, construction forms and temporary structures.
Like other policies, builders risk insurance policy also has standard deductibles built into the policy and the higher the deductibles you will pay lower premiums.
The buyer of the policy should understand that the policy will become null and void as soon as construction is ended or it’s occupied.
Any one on the market for builders risk insurance policy should approach an experienced insurance broker. By using an experienced broker, you will be safe with the kind of insurance required for your site.




