March 09, 2021
Construction Insurance: How to Select Your Business’s Plan
Let’s dive deeper into what construction insurance is and how it works.
Why Invest in Construction Insurance?
If you’re a business owner in the construction industry, construction insurance is well worth the investment. When starting out, it should be immediately added to your construction business plan. It can help you mitigate the inherent risks that come with job sites. These risks can come from workers, contractors, and expensive machinery and equipment. Without it, you’ll put your construction company at a greater risk for third-party damages, bodily injuries, and litigation. With the right type of construction insurance, you can gain some much needed peace of mind.Types of Construction Insurance:
There are a variety of construction insurance options on the market. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to consider the nature of your business. Then, determine the ideal polices for your needs. Here are several types of construction business insurance you may want to look into.1. Builder’s Risk Insurance
Also known as course of construction (COC) insurance, builder’s risk insurance covers buildings while they're under construction. With builder’s risk insurance, you can choose to cover a number of property types, such as:- Foundations
- Builder’s materials
- Paving and grading
- Builder installed trees and plants
- Scaffolding.
2. Commercial General Liability Insurance
Contractor general liability insurance or commercial general liability insurance is intended to protect a business from property damage or bodily harm. Depending on where you perform business, commercial general liability insurance may be required. It’s particularly important if you work on design-build projects or offer your services to general contractors.3. Commercial Vehicle Insurance
While it’s designed for all types of businesses, commercial auto insurance is often purchased by construction businesses. It’s vital for those who depend on commercial vehicles to perform their work. It can protect against costly expenses and lawsuits that stem from auto accidents. You may opt for professional liability insurance coverage, physical damage coverage, medical bills coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage.
4. Inland Marine Insurance
Inland marine insurance may be worthwhile if your business frequently transports tools and equipment to and from work sites. This is because most business insurance policies don't offer coverage for incidents that occur during transport. For example, if your excavator was stolen from your truck, your typical business insurance probably won’t replace it. Inland marine insurance, however will cover this loss.5. Workers’ Compensation Insurance
It’s very likely that your state requires you to purchase workers’ comp insurance, regardless of your industry. If any of your employees sustain an injury while on the job, it can cover their medical expenses and lost wages. Your business type and number of employees will determine how much your premiums will cost.6. Contractor License Bonds
Depending on where you perform business, you may be required to purchase contractor license bonds. These bonds ensure that your customers receive the service they paid for and you perform your work as promised. They’re essentially legally binding contracts that protect the customers.How to Save Money on Construction Insurance
There’s no denying that construction insurance can be expensive. The good news is you can reduce its cost if you:- Shop Around: Not all construction insurance policies are created equal. Do your research and obtain quotes from different insurance companies. This way you can land the best possible deal.
- Bundle: Some insurers offer multiple types of construction insurance policies. If you purchase more than one policy from the same insurance company, they'll likely offer you a bundle discount.