Course of construction insurance
For new builds and major renovations anywhere in BC. A building under construction needs its own policy, from the first delivery until someone moves in. I set it up for owners, builders and owner builders.
What I look at for you
- Start date: cover should begin before the first delivery, not when framing starts.
- Who is named: the owner, the builder and the lender all need to be on the policy.
- Renovations: the existing building and the new work are insured differently, and both need cover.
- Timeline: the policy period should match a realistic schedule, with room to extend.
- Handover: your home or business policy must start the day construction cover ends.
- Owner builders: if you're your own general contractor, insurers need to know who does the work.
Before you call
Estimates are fine at the quote stage. Your lender's requirements often decide the limits, so send them early.
- The site address, and whether it's a new build or a renovation
- The construction value and the planned start and finish dates
- Your builder's name, or that you are the owner builder
- Your lender's insurance requirements
- Site security: fencing, lighting or cameras
Questions people ask me
Does my home insurance cover a major renovation?
Often not fully. Many home policies restrict cover during big renovations, or while a home sits empty for the work. Tell me before work starts and I'll set up the right cover alongside your home policy.
Who should buy it, the owner or the builder?
Either can, and your contract usually says who must. What matters is that one policy names everyone with a stake in the project, so a loss doesn't turn into an argument.
What if the project runs late?
Most policies can be extended. Tell me before the end date, because cover normally stops when the period runs out or the building is occupied. Extending is much simpler than restarting cover after a gap.
Tell me about the project and the timeline, and I'll have options ready before your first delivery.