Builders Risk Insurance
Insurance designed to cover damage to property under construction, materials used in the course of construction and delay in completion
Why choose Zurich for your Builders Risk Insurance?
Choosing a Builders Risk insurer is about more than securing capacity. It is about working with a team that understands construction risk and can bring together specialized underwriting, risk engineering and claims experience throughout the life of a project.
Zurich offers a broad Builders Risk product suite designed to support the evolving needs of the construction industry, including Project Builders Risk, Master Builders Risk, Mass Timber and Data Center solutions. Our construction underwriters bring technical experience to complex risks and work with customers and brokers to structure programs around the specific characteristics and exposures of each project.
Risk engineering is an integral part of our underwriting approach. Zurich Risk Engineers work alongside our underwriters and customers to evaluate project-specific exposures, identify potential hazards and recommend practical loss-prevention measures. Areas of focus can include fire and water prevention, weather protection, site security and other controls designed to strengthen the project’s overall risk profile. Zurich's underwriting guidance expressly incorporates Risk Engineering consultation for certain complex exposures.
When a loss occurs, our construction claims experience becomes equally important. Our claims professionals work with customers and their project teams to understand the circumstances of the loss and help move the claim toward resolution. Just as importantly, insights from claims experience can help inform the broader conversation around underwriting and loss prevention.
Whether supporting a single complex project, a portfolio of projects under a master program, a mass timber development or the rapidly evolving needs of data center construction, Zurich brings together underwriting, engineering and claims capabilities to help customers understand risk, helping protect their projects and keeping construction moving forward.
Related industry and insurance
Builders Risk Insurance solutions for every project
Large-scale construction projects are significant investments that demand robust risk management. Zurich’s Builders Risk Insurance is specifically designed to help protect your financial interests—covering materials, fixtures and equipment—throughout the construction, renovation or installation of buildings and structures. Whether you’re overseeing a complex high-rise, major renovation, or a multi-year infrastructure build, Zurich offers tailored solutions for midsized and large construction companies, owners and contractors.
Zurich supports Builders Risk coverage for new construction, renovation, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, government, commercial real estate and other complex construction projects. Our solutions include:
- Commercial & residential Builders Risk Insurance
- Coverage for new construction, renovations or installations
- Master Builders Risk programs for project portfolios (reporting or project-specific placement)
- Project Builders Risk programs for single projects of $50 million or larger
- Delay in completion coverage including loss of gross earnings, loss of rental income and soft costs
- Natural catastrophe coverage within high hazard zones
- Flexible deductibles and customized sublimits
- Coverage for both owners and contractors
- Margin clauses to help protect against value changes from change orders
- Protection for hard costs, materials, labor, management fees, contractor profit, overhead and temporary structures
Types of Builders Risk Insurance Coverage
Zurich offers flexible Builders Risk insurance solutions designed to support both single projects and portfolios of construction projects.
Project Builders Risk (Single Project)
Designed for individual construction projects, this solution provides tailored coverage aligned to the unique scope, value, and risk profile of a single build.
Master Builders Risk (Portfolio Program)
Designed for organizations managing multiple construction projects, Master Builders Risk provides a single program that can cover a portfolio of projects under consistent terms and conditions. The solution helps streamline administration, simplify project enrollment and provide dedicated capacity across a growing construction portfolio.
Fronted Master Builders Risk Insurance for Large Construction Portfolios
Designed for large, complex construction programs of +$250 million, Zurich's Fronted Master Builders Risk solution combines coverage, claims administration, risk engineering and multinational coordination into a single program. Ideal for organizations managing domestic and global project portfolios, the solution provides multi-year continuity, global reach and a simplified customer experience through a single point of contact.
Benefits of a Fronted Master Builders Risk Program
- Consistent coverage across enrolled domestic and global projects
- Efficient deployment of insurance capacity across large project portfolios
- Streamlined underwriting, risk engineering, invoicing and claims administration
- Multi-year coverage options that support project planning and forecasting
- Simplified claims experience through a single point of contact
Mass Timber Builders Risk Insurance
As mass timber construction continues to grow across commercial, residential and mixed-use developments, Zurich offers specialized Builders Risk solutions designed for engineered wood construction, including cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam and other mass timber products. Our coverage supports sustainable construction projects from planning through completion.
Zurich combines specialized coverage with dedicated Mass Timber Risk Engineering expertise to help customers manage project-specific risks. Coverage enhancements can address exposures related to pre-assembly locations, temporary offsite storage, monitoring equipment and key project participants. Solutions are available for both standalone projects and Mass Timber Master Builders Risk programs.
Expanded Coverage Options
Depending on the size and scope of your project, Zurich has expanded coverage options within its Builders Risk program to help meet your needs.
- Design Professional Fees: Coverage for additional design and engineering costs required after a covered loss.
- Testing Coverage (Cold and Hot Testing): Protection during commissioning and testing phases of construction systems and equipment.
- Expediting Expenses: Coverage for costs incurred to accelerate repairs and reduce project delays.
- Property in Transit and Offsite Storage: Protection for materials and equipment while in transit or temporarily stored away from the job site.
- Debris Removal: Coverage for the cost of removing debris following a covered loss.
- Pollutant Cleanup and Decontamination: Limited coverage for cleanup of pollutants caused by a covered event.
- Emergency Property Protection: Coverage for reasonable expenses incurred to protect property from further damage.
- Permission to Occupy: Allows partial occupancy of a project while construction is still ongoing.
- Ordinance or Law Coverage: Protection for increased costs related to building code upgrades, including damaged and undamaged portions.
- Owner’s Extra Expense: Coverage for additional expenses incurred by the owner to minimize financial impact following a delay.
Capacity & Flexibility for Complex Projects
Zurich Builders Risk solutions offer the scale and flexibility needed to support large, complex construction projects.
- High-limit capacity for large-scale developments
- Flexible deductible options tailored to project risk
- Customizable sublimits aligned to business needs
- Margin clause protection to address project value increases due to change orders
- Capability to support projects in high-hazard zones
Flexible Enrollment Options
Zurich supports multiple enrollment and reporting structures, including:
- Project-specific certificates
- Total project value reporting
- Gross receipts reporting
- Hybrid approaches for increased flexibility
Ready to help protect your next project?
Risk Engineering
Through Zurich Resilience Solutions, we provide specialized insights and tools to support our customers with solutions addressing traditional and evolving risks – above and beyond insurance.
Claims Services
Zurich Claims specialists are strategically deployed in the U.S. and around the globe to help customers mitigate and respond to loss events, and to gain insights into becoming more resilient against future losses.
Learn moreFAQs
Builders Risk Insurance, often referred to as Course of Construction (COC) insurance, helps protect buildings, materials and equipment during construction or renovation. It provides financial protection against covered physical loss or damage that could impact a project before completion.
Builders Risk Insurance is designed to cover damage to property under construction, materials used in the course of construction and delay in completion. We work with you to understand the full scope of your project and recommend coverage options that align with your risk tolerance and budget. Our goal is to provide you with a policy that is as unique as the project you are building.
Builders Risk Insurance is designed to protect the total value of a construction project, including:
- Materials and supplies used in construction
- Labor costs and installation expenses
- Construction management fees
- Contractor profit and overhead
- Temporary structures, including scaffolding, formwork, and shoring
- General conditions and project-related soft costs
It is important to note that a standard Builders Risk policy does not typically cover liability for accidents or injuries on the job site. For this, you would need a separate General Liability policy.
Zurich Builders Risk solutions support a wide range of construction stakeholders and industries including property owners & developers, general contractors, mid-sized & large construction firms, and various industry segment leaders.
- Owners & Developers: Protect large-scale investments and maintain project continuity from ground-up construction through completion.
- General Contractors: Ensure financial protection for materials, labor, and project-related costs throughout the construction lifecycle.
- Mid-Sized & Large Construction Firms: Leverage scalable coverage designed for complex or multi-project portfolios.
- Industry Segments: Serving sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, energy, commercial real estate and government projects
Yes, coverage can include materials and equipment while in transit or stored temporarily offsite, depending on the policy structure.
A Master Builders Risk policy provides coverage for multiple projects under a single program, offering efficiency and consistency across a portfolio.
Fronted Master Builders Risk Insurance is designed for large, complex construction portfolios that may span multiple projects, years or countries. The solution combines Builders Risk coverage, risk engineering, claims administration and multinational coordination into a single program supported by Zurich and its reinsurance partners.
Mass Timber Builders Risk Insurance is designed for construction projects utilizing engineered wood products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam. Coverage is tailored to address unique project exposures associated with mass timber construction, fabrication, transportation, storage and installation.
Coverage may include delay in completion, including certain financial impacts such as lost income or additional expenses, depending on policy terms.