What you need to know about builders risk claims: Builders risk forms are types of contracts that insure building contractors for damage to property under construction. The completed value form requires a 100% coinsurance because insurance carried must equal the completed value of the structure. The reporting form allows coverage to be carried according to the stage of completion of the structure.
Builders risk insurance (also known as course of construction or inland marine coverage) is defined as insurance that protects a person’s or organization’s insurable interest in materials, fixtures and/or equipment awaiting installation (or after installation) during the construction or renovation of a building or structure, should those items sustain physical loss or damage from a covered loss.
However, the differences in covered exposures and policy types between providers (and even between those types of policies offered by a single provider) can make it difficult to determine precisely what you and your clients can expect from builders risk insurance. A public loss adjuster can help you best understand your policy coverage and make sure you receive the maximum benefit from your builders risk claims.
Builders Risk Claims: Insurance Clients
There are several groups of potential clients for a commercial or residential builders risk policy – all of which can purchase the policy in their name, including the following:
- Homeowners / property owners
- Builders
- Contractors
- House flippers
- Development / investment companies
- Retail companies
- School districts
Considering filing builders risk claims? Builders risk policies (and the projects they cover) are typically available for ground-up new construction, remodeling (including or excluding the existing structure), and installation.
These projects are classified as either residential or commercial risk. Bear in mind that the definition of those categories changes from provider to provider.
Builders risk is designed to protect construction sites from loss and damage. While exact coverages and limitations vary between providers, comprehensive builders risk policies may offer coverage for theft and vandalism, as well as additional coverage including (but not limited to) soft costs, flood, windstorm, earthquake, ordinance and law, and business income and extra expense. Policies may also cover damage to construction material, temporary structures, fencing, scaffolding, subdivision signs and landscaping.
If you have a new builders risk claim to file or have been denied previous builders risk claims, contact us and let us help you get the benefits you’re entitled to!
~Marco V.