when is course of construction insurance needed

by Ms. Brigitte Jaskolski PhD 6 min read

Usually, lenders will require course of construction insurance before issuing construction financing. They will generally require this coverage before funding remodeling projects as well. A common example when this type of coverage is needed is when a business breaks ground on a vacant lot.

Usually, lenders will require course of construction insurance before issuing construction financing. They will generally require this coverage before funding remodeling projects as well. A common example when this type of coverage is needed is when a business breaks ground on a vacant lot.

Full Answer

Why do I need course of construction insurance?

Builders risk insurance, also known as course of construction (COC) insurance, or sometimes construction all risk insurance, is insurance coverage for buildings and other structures while they are under construction. Other policies like homeowners insurance or commercial property insurance will typically not cover structures during construction.

Is construction insurance required by state law?

Course of construction insurance is needed because most commercial property policies will exclude or null and void coverage if major renovations or construction to the building is above a certain threshold and not fully/properly disclosed to the incumbent property insurance company.

What is course of construction insurance (COC)?

Course of Construction (COC) or Builder’s Risk insurance is coverage meant to protect property owners, developers, and contractors while major renovation/construction work is being completed — and in some cases for a specified period of time afterwards. Considering the values typically associated with these projects, it only makes sense to protect your investment with COC …

Do construction companies need Builders Risk Insurance?

Construction general liability insurance is absolutely necessary for every construction project to cover costs such as lawsuits and financial impacts that come from injuries, accidents or other unexpected occurrences. However, you want to ensure that the property on a project is also covered, ranging from the contractors’ equipment to the structure itself. This is where a Course …

What is the difference between builders risk and course of construction?

There is no difference between Builder's Risk Insurance and Course of Construction Insurance. These two terms are used interchangeably.

What does course of construction mean?

More Definitions of Course of Construction

Course of Construction means that period after construction begins until the entire project has been: (a) finally accepted by its current owner or purchaser; and (2) put to its intended use; and (3) permitted for occupancy.

Which insurance is generally required on a construction project?

Commercial General Liability
Almost all construction contracts require that contractors and subcontractors carry Commercial General Liability (“CGL”) insurance. Good contracts also specify the CGL industry forms permitted for the project, the minimum coverage amounts, the required endorsements, and the policy duration.Jan 28, 2015

What is Course of construction insurance BC?

Course of Construction (COC) or Builder's Risk insurance is coverage meant to protect property owners, developers, and contractors while major renovation/construction work is being completed — and in some cases for a specified period of time afterwards.

What does a COC policy cover?

A COC policy covers property losses due to causes including burning, vandalism, and theft. This policy provides reimbursement for these losses. Insurance agencies have a list of what the policy will cover. It is common that particular coverages are excluded from the policy.

What are liabilities in insurance?

Liability insurance provides protection against claims resulting from injuries and damage to people and/or property. Liability insurance covers legal costs and payouts for which the insured party would be found liable. Provisions not covered include Intentional damage, contractual liabilities, and criminal prosecution.

Why is construction insurance important?

Protects you against claims made in the event of accidents or damage to property. If you have an accident that pollutes land, air or water, or harms natural resources and/or biodiversity, the clean up can land you with a huge bill.

What are the 4 types of insurance that is generally required for a commercial construction project?

Construction Works Insurance – The 'Works'
  • Liability Cover. ...
  • Public Liability. ...
  • Products Liability. ...
  • Legal Costs.

What is insurance in building construction?

This cover provides indemnity in respect of Construction related Risks Resulting in Death of Site Workers; Death of Third Parties; Injury to Site Workers or Third Parties; damage to Site Workers' or Third Parties' property and even legal costs.

Is personal accident insurance a contract of indemnity?

Most contracts of insurance are contracts of indemnity. Personal accident insurances are not contracts of indemnity as the payments due under those contracts for loss of life or bodily injury are not based on the principle of indemnity.

Is the amount of indemnity is always equal to the sum insured?

In other words, the insured shall get neither more nor less than the actual amount of loss sustained. This, of course, is always subject to the limit of the sum insured and also subject to certain terms and conditions of the policy.

What is a Course of Construction Insurance Policy?

Course of Construction Insurance, sometimes known as Builder’s Risk Insurance, is a policy which specializes in protecting properties under construction from devastating financial losses. Common impacts that may be covered by your Course of Construction insurance policy are:

Course of Construction Insurance Carriers

When looking for a Course of Construction Insurance policy, it’s essential to shop around for the policy and price that fits your needs best. At Meslee, we specialize in business insurance solutions and partner with the country’s top insurance companies to find the best policies for your business needs.

Do You Need a Course of Construction Insurance Policy?

Course of Construction Insurance Policies are beneficial for both developers and general contractors (when the general contractor is also charged with procuring insurance for property damage); that said, we believe it is always best for the developer or owner to carry and control the Course of Construction Policy and not rely on the General Contractor for this.

Protection and Peace of Mind with Meslee

Purchasing a Course of Construction Insurance Policy is the right idea for any construction business owner or project manager. Starting a construction project without holding a COC policy puts the entire company at financial risk. Course of Construction Insurance offers monetary security if an unexpected disaster takes place.

What is general liability insurance?

General liability insurance, sometimes called commercial general liability (CGL) insurance or contractor general liability insurance, is a class of insurance that provides liability protection to businesses in the case of bodily harm or property damage during the course of business. Insurance providers create various versions of these policies available to professionals in construction and for construction projects. Whether you are the property owner, a construction company, or a contractor, liability insurance policies are available to protect policyholders from unnecessary risk. So often, these plans will be advertised as Contractor General Liability Insurance or General Liability Insurance for Builders.

What is commercial auto insurance?

Commercial auto insurance, or commercial vehicle insurance, isn’t exclusively available for construction projects. It is insurance intended to provide auto insurance to vehicles used by businesses. The coverage provided by commercial auto insurance is intended to help policyholders avoid high vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, or lawsuits resulting from auto accidents.

What is COC insurance?

Builders Risk (Course of Construction) Insurance. Builders risk insurance, also known as course of construction (COC) insurance, or sometimes construction all risk insurance, is insurance coverage for buildings and other structures while they are under construction.

What factors determine the type of construction insurance coverage?

These factors include, the person’s relationship to the project (contractor, property owner, subcontractor, etc.), the type of entity buying the insurance (business or individual), and the type of property to be covered.

What happens if you don't have Progressive insurance?

If you get into an accident with someone who does not hold this coverage, you still want to be covered from high medical or repair costs. Insurance providers like Progressive or Nationwide offer coverage for many types of commercial vehicles, including vehicles that are commonly used during construction projects.

What is construction insurance?

Construction insurance is a broad categorization of insurance policies that provide protection during construction projects. In reality, the term “construction insurance” refers generally to insurance that relates to construction projects, and it is not itself an actual form of insurance.

What is physical damage insurance?

Physical Damage Coverage – This covers damages to company vehicles after a covered collision. This could also include comprehensive coverage, which protects against stolen vehicles, damaged from vandalism, or destruction from natural disasters.

What is construction insurance?

Building construction insurance is a type of property insurance specifically designed to cover property during the course of construction, including renovation and repair. Typically, it is purchased by either the property owner or contractor. Course of construction insurance is needed because most commercial property policies will exclude or null and void coverage if major renovations or construction to the building is above a certain threshold and not fully/properly disclosed to the incumbent property insurance company.

What is careful planning?

Careful planning is the foundation for a smooth construction project, which includes the right course of construction insurance throughout the building period.

Who should be included in a building construction policy?

This may include the owner, contractor, subcontractors, the financial institution funding the project and, in some cases, the architects and engineers too.

What are the hazards of construction?

Another hazard is high wind. Some structures on site are temporary and subsequently, not properly secured. Another common problem in construction. Damages occur to the equipment as well as the building itself. Property Replacement. This insurance provides coverage for the same amount as the property lost.

How long does a construction insurance policy last?

The policy has a commencement and a termination date. Construction must fall within this time. You can buy a policy with a 3 month, 6 month or 12 month term.

What is a construction policy?

A policy covers the cost of construction and the equipment and materials that are being used. Some common inclusions in a policy include: This is a common occurrence on a building site. Some of the common causes are hot work, temporary electrical installations, heating equipment, and cooking equipment.

What is course of construction insurance?

Course of Construction Insurance is also known as Builder’s Risk Insurance. This specialized insurance has the following characteristics: 1 available for certain types of building projects 2 provides coverage for the duration of the construction process 3 customized coverage for each client and/or project

What was the problem with the risk management specialist?

Upon examining the mechanical room and system with his thermography camera, the risk manager noticed a cold spot coming off one of the copper pipes. Upon closer examination the risk manager discovered there was a pin-hole leak at a coupling that needed to be fixed.

What is COC insurance?

If you are a Commercial Lines client, COC insurance provides access to risk professionals who may be able to help detect minor problems, through risk management advice or site inspections, before they become major ones. Please see the following case study.

What is a COC?

Course of Construction (COC) or Builder’s Risk insurance is coverage meant to protect property owners, developers, and contractors while major renovation/construction work is being completed — and in some cases for a specified period of time afterwards. Considering the values typically associated with these projects, it only makes sense to protect your investment with COC insurance. Through its purchase, all project stakeholders are protected in the case of loss and when a rebuild is required.

What would happen if a leak in a mechanical room was not caught?

If this leak had not been caught and fixed quickly, there could have been excessive damage to a custom wood wall on the other side of the mechanical room. Not only could this have been a very expensive claim, it could have meant a delay in occupancy for the clients who were excited to move into their new home.

What is a loss due to inherent vice?

Loss due to inherent vice (faulty design, material, workmanship ) or wear and tear. Motor vehicles on the work site. Pollution.

Does coverage include deductibles?

Coverage will be to specified policy limits and deductibles may apply. Remember to read your insurance policy carefully for a complete list of coverage inclusions. Coverage inclusions may vary by policy and the province in which you are insured.

Who needs to purchase COC insurance?

Although it can be assumed that the property owner needs to purchase COC insurance, contractors, project managers, or even engineers can all purchase the insurance. This is due to the fact that COC insurance provides coverage to a number of different parties involved in construction projects and not just the owner.

What is Tri State Insurance?

At Tri-State Insurance Agency, we want to ensure your high-net-worth homes are protected during the holidays and year-round. Our homeowners’ insurance policies are designed specifically to protect affluent homes like yours. To learn more about our coverage options, contact our specialists today at (973) 579-6776.

What is the purpose of testing a building?

Testing. Certain areas of the building must be tested to ensure they are functioning. Heating and air conditioning systems, for example, must be working before the building is complete. If malfunction of these machines occur, it is likely to result in a fire or explosion.

What is COC insurance?

A COC policy covers property losses due to causes including burning, vandalism, and theft. This policy provides reimbursement for these losses. Insurance agencies have a list of what the policy will cover. It is common that particular coverages are excluded from the policy.

What is a COC policy?

A COC policy is designed to protect a structure under construction from the most common unfortunate events and can even insure materials stored on the site waiting to be installed. Oftentimes there are other options available to add to your coverage; such as flood and windstorm coverage, and losses due to law changes.

Why is general liability important in construction?

Construction general liability insurance is absolutely necessary for every construction project to cover costs such as lawsuits and financial impacts that come from injuries, accidents or other unexpected occurrences. However, you want to ensure that the property on a project is also covered, ranging from the contractors’ equipment to the structure itself. This is where a Course of Construction (COC) policy, also known as Builder’s Risk, becomes necessary.

What is national insurance?

Nationwide is a high quality builders risk insurance option for construction contractors because they offer a full suite of other insurance policies specifically designed for construction contractors. This means contractors could go with Nationwide for all of their construction insurance needs.

Why is it important to understand the items and types of incidents that fall outside of the scope of the builders risk policy?

It is important to understand the items and types of incidents that fall outside of the scope of the builders risk policy so owners, contractors, and builders can appropriately manage their risk with other insurance policies that fill their gaps in coverage.

Why do builders risk policies exist?

Because builders risk insurance policies are designed specifically to cover structures under construction and some related items, builders risk policies leave a significant amount of the construction project unprotected. It is important to understand the items and types of incidents that fall outside of the scope of the builders risk policy so owners, contractors, and builders can appropriately manage their risk with other insurance policies that fill their gaps in coverage.

How much does builders risk insurance cost?

So, depending on the project, builders risk insurance costs will typically be between $1,000 and $5,000 per $100,000 of construction spending.

What is Builders Risk Insurance?

Builders risk insurance (also known as course of construction insurance) covers buildings and other structures while they are under construction. There is a lot to know about builders risk insurance before purchasing a policy.

What is commercial property insurance?

Commercial property insurance covers all types of commercial property (buildings, inventory, furniture, etc.) against covered causes of loss, such as fire, theft and natural disaster. However, when businesses renovate or build new buildings on their property, the additions are not covered by standard commercial property insurance policies while they are being built.

What is general liability insurance?

General liability insurance, in construction, protects policyholders (usually contractors or construction companies), from third-party liability. An example would be if a third party alleges that the contractor caused an accident or injury. Most contractors or construction businesses carry general liability insurance.

How long does a builder's risk insurance last?

And you’re protected until the project is completed, usually within 12 months. Builder’s Risk Insurance also protects against weather and water damage, mechanical breakdown, and theft. In some cases, a policy can be extended to cover debris removal and temporary structures. As you can see, Builder’s Risk Insurance or Course ...

What happens when you have a data breach?

When you have a data breach and documents are lost, your policy will pay to replace them. This avoids lengthy delays in construction while the documents are recovered. Cleanup Costs: Pollutants from a fire or flood cause hazards. Cleanup is expensive but necessary.

Is Builder's Risk the same as Course of Construction?

So, know we know Builder’s Risk Insurance and Course of Construction Insurance are just two names for the same policy. Let’s look at exactly how this policy protects your business.

What is the risk of a new construction site?

New home construction sites are vulnerable to theft, vandalism and weather-related losses – make sure you’re properly protected with a builders risk insurance policy.

How long does Builders Risk Insurance last?

Builders risk insurance generally lasts for nine to 12 months. But it can be renewed if the construction delays for some reason. Don't forget to ask your contractor about the insurance policy they carry and what their limits are. The cost of Builders risk insurance can be between 1% and 4% of the budget, depending on multiple factors like ...

What is Builders Risk?

Builders risk is a type of home construction insurance that offers some financial protection during construction projects. A construction project could be anything from a new home build to a home renovation. Builders risk insurance is often required by construction lenders and is sometimes called construction loan insurance, ...

How long does a home insurance policy last?

Policies are generally written for nine to 12 months. Most can be renewed if there are construction delays, says Saine, but the insurance company will usually assess the project to make sure progress is being made on the home.

Who pays for insurance policy?

Typically, this is a decision to be made between the homeowner and contractor. It is a fair assumption that if the contractor pays for the insurance policy, the cost will get passed on to the homeowner in some way. However, this is something you should mutually agree upon with your contractor.

Does Builders Risk cover a thief?

For example, if your contractor drops off a load of expensive lumber and an opportunistic thief steals it, your builders risk policy should cover you for that loss once your deductible is paid.

Do contractors need general liability insurance?

Your contractor still needs to have their own general liability insurance policy to cover things like bodily injury and property damage where they are deemed at fault.

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Types of Building Projects

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Course of Construction Insurance applies to the construction of new buildings or structures. It is applicable from the ground up, starting with the preparation of the site. With this in mind, it also applies to the renovation or restructuring of an existing building. Examples of this are projects involving the reinforcement of fou…
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Coverage For The Duration of Construction

  • This insurance has a term limit. It covers the building project over the course of its construction. The policy has a commencement and a termination date. Construction must fall within this time. You can buy a policy with a 3 month, 6 month or 12 month term. When the project is complete and the building is ready for occupancy new property insurance is required. It is possible in certain ci…
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Customized Coverage

  • A Course of Construction Insurance policy is customized for a particular project and/or client. No two policies look the same as each project is different. A policy covers the cost of construction and the equipment and materials that are being used. Some common inclusions in apolicyinclude: 1. This is a common occurrence on a building site. Some of the common causes are hot work, te…
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