Course of Construction Insurance
Gain complete confidence to start your build.
A construction project carries a number of risks that can cause delays and skyrocketing costs. Acera Insurance advisors bring decades of specialized expertise to designing a course of construction policy that will cover your next project from the moment you break ground to completion.
Your guide to course of construction insurance.
Course of construction, also known as builder’s risk insurance, covers all property being incorporated into a project during the construction phase. It is designed to protect against direct physical loss or damage to a project as well as construction material waiting to be installed onsite, in transit or offsite.
This type of policy is recommended for all types of projects including:
- Residential new builds
- Renovations
- Commercial buildings
- Industrial buildings
- Civil buildings and projects (i.e. bridges, dams, etc.)
Note: Depending on the location of your project, a course of construction policy may even be required for a permit to be issued.
Supporting businesses across Canada.
Get your course of construction insurance by phone or in person at your nearest location.
Keeping your project on track.
Course of construction policies are typically issued on an “all-risks” basis, which means that all causes of loss (such as fire, wind, theft, vandalism) are covered unless they are specifically excluded.
Common Exclusions
Course of construction insurance is designed to cover damage caused by accidents, not faulty or improper material, workmanship or design. Other common exclusions include liability for property damage or bodily injury to third parties (covered under wrap-up liability insurance usually purchased for each project), equipment breakdown, work vehicles (which are covered under separate policies), employee theft as well as contractors’ equipment and tools.
Warranties
It’s critically important to be aware of any warranties in your policy wording. Common warranties for wood frame projects include having requirements for fencing, security, fire extinguishers, open flame or hot works procedures, etc. Breach of a warranty voids your insurance coverage.
Equipment Breakdown
This coverage pays for sudden and accidental damage to mechanical or electrical machinery or equipment, commonly excluded in course of construction policies. It will also pay for repair or replacement, and is particularly important during the testing and commissioning phases.
Delayed Opening/Start-up
This coverage can be purchased in addition to a course of construction policy. It provides coverage for financial losses as a result of project delays caused by covered losses, which can include increased interest on financing, increased labour costs, and loss of anticipated rental income or revenue.
Why choose Acera Insurance for course of construction coverage?
Our dedicated construction team is here to build your policy and provide hands-on claims support.
Specialized Expertise
Acera Insurance advisors have decades of experience with all types of construction projects and specialized expertise in the intricacies of construction contracts.
Deeply Connected
Our team chairs and holds active memberships in many construction associations throughout Canada. This keeps us informed on industry trends and the complexity of timelines and contracts.
Claims Support
In the event of a claim, our in-house team will guide you through every step of the process and advocate for you to settle the claim as fairly, quickly and efficiently as possible.
Helpful tips from our advisors.
Whether you’re building your new home or undertaking a major commercial construction project, our trusted advisors can design the right policy tailored to your needs.
Answering your most common questions.
How do I determine the amount of insurance required?
The insured value must include the total contract price and consider both hard and soft costs.
Hard Costs
- The value of all structures, materials, fixtures and labour that are part of the project
Soft Costs
- Interest
- Permit and design fees
- Presale and marketing costs
- Inflation
- Insurance premiums
For what time period should the course of construction policy be in effect?
It is important to secure coverage for your project before it has broken ground and it should remain in effect for the entire duration of construction.
How is pricing determined?
Pricing will be dependant on several factors that can include:
- Size and scope of the project
- Project location
- Length of the project
- Material quality
- Coverage limits and deductibles selected
- Experience of the project team
- Insurance claims history
Premium will be charged for each month in the duration of the project.
Who should be named in the policy?
Regardless of who the policyholder is, any party that has a financial interest in the project should ensure that they are named as an “additional insured,” including the property owners, contractors, sub-contractors, project managers, consultants, architects and engineers, investors and lenders.
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