can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance? 3 Powerful Benefits 2025
Protecting Your Construction Project: The Insurance You Need
So you’re ready to build your dream home or tackle that major renovation. Exciting times! But have you thought about what happens if a storm damages your half-finished roof? Or if those expensive custom windows get stolen from the job site overnight?
Can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance? Yes, absolutely! As a homeowner, you can purchase builder’s risk insurance directly when you have a financial stake in a construction project. This specialized coverage acts like a safety net during construction, protecting against risks like theft, fire, vandalism, and weather damage that your standard homeowners policy typically waves its hands at and says, “Not my problem!”
| Quick Answer: Can Homeowners Get Builder’s Risk Insurance? |
|---|
| ✓ Yes, if you own the lot or property being built/renovated |
| ✓ Available for new construction, major renovations, and additions |
| ✓ Typically costs 1-4% of total construction budget |
| ✓ Policies usually last 9-12 months (renewable if needed) |
| ✓ Anyone with financial interest in the project can be named on the policy |
Here’s the thing about standard homeowners insurance that many people don’t realize until it’s too late: it simply doesn’t cover buildings under construction. That beautiful home-to-be exists in an insurance limbo during the building phase. This is where builder’s risk insurance steps in to fill that critical gap.
“Whether you need insurance depends on your contract,” notes Carol A. Brunetto, an insurance agent quoted in our research. This highlights an important reality of construction projects – sometimes your contractor provides this coverage as part of your agreement, but often the responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders as the property owner.
I’ve seen too many homeowners find this coverage gap the hard way. Picture this: months of progress on your new home, and then a fire breaks out, or a storm tears through the partially completed structure. Without proper coverage, you’re looking at significant delays and potentially devastating financial losses.
Builder’s risk insurance (also called course of construction insurance) is specifically designed to protect your investment during this vulnerable phase when materials might walk off with “midnight shoppers,” weather could damage unfinished work, or accidents might set your timeline back months.
I’m Geoff Stanton, and as the President of Stanton Insurance with over 20 years of experience helping homeowners protect their construction investments across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, I’ve guided countless clients through the process of securing proper coverage for their dream projects. The question of can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance comes up in almost every initial conversation about new builds and major renovations.
Looking at the timeline above, you can see how these two policies work together – builder’s risk covers the vulnerable construction phase, then your homeowners policy takes over once you move in. It’s a seamless handoff of protection when done right.
Related content about can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance:
- what is builder’s risk insurance
- how does builder’s risk insurance work
- who pays for builders risk insurance
What Is Builder’s Risk Insurance?
Builder’s risk insurance, often called “course of construction” insurance, is a special type of coverage that protects your building project while it’s still under construction. Think of it as a safety net specifically designed for the vulnerable construction phase of your property.
Unlike your regular homeowners policy, builder’s risk is typically written as an inland marine policy—which might sound like it involves boats, but actually just means it provides flexible coverage for property and materials that move around (like construction supplies being delivered to your site).
“The short answer is no,” explains Benjamin Saine, a product manager for homeowners insurance, when asked if standard homeowners policies cover construction projects. “There are just too many coverage gaps and inadequate limits for new construction or remodeling.”
Builder’s risk fills these protection gaps by covering:
- Your structure as it’s being built
- Materials and supplies waiting to be installed
- Supplies being transported to your property
- Temporary structures like scaffolding
- Damage from fire, wind, theft, and vandalism
Construction sites face unique risks that completed homes don’t typically encounter. Expensive materials might be stolen overnight, a sudden storm could damage unfinished walls, or vandals might target your unoccupied property. Can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance to protect against these specific threats? Absolutely—and it’s often essential.
Core Purpose & Players
Builder’s risk insurance serves several key people involved in your construction project:
For you as the homeowner, it protects your financial investment whether you’re building from scratch or renovating your existing home.
For your contractor, it safeguards against losses that could derail the project timeline or eat into profits.
Your mortgage lender may actually require this coverage as a condition for your construction loan—they want to protect their investment too!
Even architects and engineers can be named on the policy to protect their interests in the project.
“We recommend that you get a copy of your builder’s insurance to check for adequate coverage,” advises Benjamin Saine. This simple step can save you thousands by ensuring you understand who’s responsible for what if something goes wrong.
Builder’s Risk vs. Homeowners Insurance
While both policies protect your property, they work in different ways during different phases of homeownership:
Builder’s Risk Insurance is your temporary construction bodyguard. It typically lasts just for the duration of your project (usually 9-12 months) and focuses on protecting the building materials, supplies, and fixtures before they’re permanently installed. It doesn’t include liability coverage for injuries—you’ll need a separate policy for that. And once construction wraps up, so does this coverage.
Homeowners Insurance takes over when your home is complete. It provides ongoing protection for your finished house, your personal belongings, and attached structures like garages. It also includes liability coverage if someone gets hurt on your property and can cover additional living expenses if disaster strikes and you can’t live in your home.
“Most insurance companies will steeply discount the premiums because the home hasn’t been completed,” explains Benjamin Saine regarding builder’s risk policies. This makes sense—the risk exposure grows as your project progresses and more value is added to the property.
When considering can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance, this specialized coverage bridges the critical gap between an empty lot and a completed home that’s ready for standard homeowners insurance. For more detailed information about how this coverage works, check out the scientific research on Builder’s Risk Insurance.
Can a Homeowner Get Builder’s Risk Insurance?
Can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance? Absolutely. In fact, homeowners are often the most appropriate party to purchase this coverage, especially when they own the lot or property where construction is taking place.
According to our research, anyone with a financial interest in a construction project can purchase builder’s risk insurance. This includes homeowners who own the lot, property owners undertaking renovations, those who have taken out a construction loan, and investors in residential construction projects.
The key qualifying factor is having an insurable interest in the property—meaning you would suffer a financial loss if the property were damaged or destroyed.
“Sometimes, the general contractor is responsible for insurance, while other contracts say the homeowner needs to purchase builder’s risk insurance,” notes Carol A. Brunetto. This highlights why reviewing your construction contract is so important—it often spells out exactly who needs to secure this coverage.
Understanding Eligibility: can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance?
To be eligible for builder’s risk insurance as a homeowner, you typically need to demonstrate three key things:
First, you must have a financial interest in the project, such as owning the property or having a construction loan. Second, you’ll need proof of insurable value—insurance companies require documentation of your project’s worth, usually through construction contracts, budgets, or loan documents. Finally, be prepared to share project details including scope, timeline, contractors involved, and construction methods.
It’s worth noting that insurance companies have different “underwriting appetites.” Some are perfectly comfortable with homeowners living in a house during renovation, while others might require the property to remain vacant during construction. This is where working with an experienced agency makes all the difference.
At Stanton Insurance Agency, we partner with multiple carriers across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine to find the right coverage custom to your specific project needs. We understand that every construction project is unique, and we’ll help you steer these requirements with ease.
Legal & Lender Mandates
In many cases, obtaining builder’s risk insurance isn’t just a good idea—it’s required by various stakeholders in your project.
Construction lenders typically require builder’s risk insurance before releasing funds. This makes perfect sense—they want to protect their collateral during the vulnerable construction phase. Many municipal building departments also require proof of insurance before issuing permits for major projects.
Your construction contract might specify who’s responsible for obtaining builder’s risk coverage. If you’re the designated party, you’ll need to provide a certificate of insurance to your contractor before work begins.
As a homeowner, you should review these requirements early in your planning process. Don’t wait until the last minute only to find your project can’t proceed without proper coverage. At Stanton Insurance Agency, we help you understand exactly what coverage is required for your specific project and location, whether you’re building in Boston, MA, Portsmouth, NH, or Portland, ME.
More info about Who Pays for Builders Risk Insurance?
When and Why Homeowners Need Builder’s Risk Coverage
Imagine waking up to find your half-finished kitchen renovation soaked from an overnight rainstorm, or finding that expensive building materials have been stolen from your new home construction site. These scenarios happen more often than you might think, and they highlight exactly why builder’s risk insurance becomes so crucial during construction projects.
Your standard homeowners policy simply wasn’t designed with construction projects in mind. As one industry expert bluntly puts it: “There are just too many coverage gaps and/or inadequate limits” in regular policies when it comes to protecting properties under construction. This protection gap is exactly where builder’s risk insurance steps in to save the day – and potentially thousands of your hard-earned dollars.
Key Scenarios
Ground-Up Construction projects are perhaps the most obvious situation where can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance becomes relevant. When you’re building a new home from scratch, you don’t yet have a homeowners policy because, well, there’s no home to insure! Builder’s risk fills this critical gap, protecting your investment from the moment the first shovel hits dirt until your dream home is ready for you to move in.
I recently worked with a Massachusetts family who experienced this firsthand. They had purchased a beautiful vacant lot and were midway through framing their custom home when a severe windstorm swept through the area. The partially completed structure suffered significant damage, and building materials were scattered across the neighborhood. Thankfully, their builder’s risk policy covered all $42,000 in damages, allowing construction to continue without depleting their budget.
Structural Remodeling projects that involve opening walls, removing roofs, or other major changes typically fall into a coverage gray area with standard policies. A New Hampshire family I worked with learned this lesson when they decided to add a second story to their existing ranch home. While the roof was temporarily removed, an unexpected rainstorm caused extensive water damage to their first floor. Their builder’s risk policy covered both the damage to the existing structure and the new construction materials – a claim that would have likely been denied under a standard homeowners policy.
Investment Property Flips almost always require specialized construction coverage, especially since these properties are typically vacant during renovation. Standard homeowners insurance simply isn’t designed for unoccupied properties undergoing major work.
Home Disaster Rebuilds present a unique situation. While your homeowners insurance may cover the initial damage from a fire or other disaster, the reconstruction process might require builder’s risk coverage, particularly for extensive rebuilds that will take months to complete.
Benefits Over Relying on Standard Home Policy
When comparing builder’s risk to standard homeowners insurance during construction, the advantages become crystal clear. Builder’s risk policies offer broader coverage scope specifically custom to construction risks that homeowners policies explicitly exclude. They typically provide higher coverage limits too – for example, offering up to $50,000 for debris removal on projects valued up to $5 million, compared to the typical 5% of dwelling coverage limit on standard policies.
Using builder’s risk also helps protect your claims history on your regular homeowners policy. Filing construction-related claims under a separate builder’s risk policy rather than your permanent homeowners coverage can prevent potential rate increases down the road.
Another significant benefit is coverage for materials in transit and storage. Builder’s risk typically protects those expensive custom cabinets or specialty materials even while they’re being transported to your site or stored temporarily off-premises – protection that standard policies simply don’t provide.
Finally, these policies are custom-custom to construction timelines and can be extended if your project runs longer than expected (which, let’s be honest, happens more often than not with construction projects!).
The protection gaps in standard homeowners policies during construction can be substantial. The most concerning include no coverage for theft of building materials (a common occurrence at construction sites), limited or no coverage for structures under construction, exclusions for vacant properties during renovation, inadequate debris removal limits, and no coverage for materials in transit or temporary storage.
At Stanton Insurance Agency, we’ve seen too many homeowners learn these lessons the hard way. That’s why we take the time to explain these coverage gaps before your project begins, helping ensure your investment remains protected from foundation to finishing touches.
Coverage Essentials: What’s Included and What’s Not
When you’re considering builder’s risk insurance, knowing exactly what’s covered—and perhaps more importantly, what isn’t—can save you from costly surprises down the road.
Included Protections
Builder’s risk insurance wraps your construction project in a protective blanket against many common perils. Think of it as a safety net designed specifically for buildings in their most vulnerable state.
Your policy typically shields you from fire and smoke damage, which can be particularly devastating on construction sites where exposed wood framing acts like kindling. Wind and hail protection keeps your project safe during storms, though coastal areas might have some limitations due to increased risk.
Other covered perils include lightning strikes, explosions, and even vehicle or aircraft collisions with your property—rare but potentially catastrophic events. Your materials are also protected against theft and vandalism, which unfortunately are all too common at construction sites.
“Let’s say your client needs debris removed after a loss—the Builders Risk Plan will cover $50,000 for projects up to $5 million,” notes one insurance provider. This generous coverage for debris removal significantly outshines the typical homeowners policy, which usually limits this to just 5% of your dwelling coverage.
Your builder’s risk policy doesn’t just protect the structure itself. It extends to building materials and supplies both on-site and, in many cases, while they’re being transported to your property or sitting in temporary storage. Those expensive custom cabinets waiting to be installed? They’re covered too.
Many policies also include coverage for temporary structures like scaffolding and construction forms that are essential during the building process, typically up to specific sublimits outlined in your policy.
Common Exclusions & Endorsements
Even the most comprehensive builder’s risk policies have their limits. Standard policies typically draw the line at several key perils:
Flood damage is almost universally excluded from standard policies. If your construction site sits in a flood-prone area, you’ll want to ask about a flood endorsement to close this significant coverage gap. Similarly, earthquake damage requires a separate endorsement, especially important if you’re building in a seismically active region.
Don’t expect coverage for employee theft either—if someone working on your project walks off with materials, that’s typically not covered. Neither are losses due to faulty workmanship or design, normal wear and tear, or mechanical breakdowns of construction equipment.
Once construction wraps up, your builder’s risk policy does too. Damages after completion fall outside its scope, which is why transitioning to a homeowners policy at the right time is crucial.
Fortunately, many of these exclusions can be addressed through endorsements—optional coverage add-ons that improve your policy’s protection:
A soft costs endorsement is particularly valuable, covering indirect expenses like additional interest, real estate taxes, and architectural fees that might result from construction delays after a covered loss. If you’re creating an eco-friendly home, consider a green building endorsement that covers additional costs to restore green building certifications after a loss.
“We recommend that you get a copy of your builder’s insurance to check for adequate coverage,” advises Benjamin Saine. This simple step can help you identify potential gaps before they become expensive problems.
At Stanton Insurance Agency, we’ll walk you through these options to ensure your construction project has the right protection. We understand that can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance is just the starting point—knowing what that insurance actually covers is where the real value lies.
Does Builders Risk Insurance Cover Flood? provides deeper insights if you’re concerned about water damage protection for your project.
Cost, Duration & Customization
Wondering how much builder’s risk insurance will set you back? Most homeowners can expect to pay between 1% and 4% of their total construction budget. To put that in real terms, if you’re building a $500,000 dream home, your builder’s risk premium might range from $5,000 to $20,000 for the entire project duration.
The good news? As Benjamin Saine points out, “Most insurance companies will steeply discount the premiums because the home hasn’t been completed.” This makes perfect sense—the financial risk grows gradually as your project progresses and more value gets added to the property.
What determines where you’ll fall in that 1–4% range? Several key factors come into play:
Your total project value (including materials and labor) forms the foundation of your premium calculation. The type of construction matters too—frame construction typically costs more to insure than masonry due to increased fire risk. Your project timeline affects exposure duration, while your location might trigger higher rates if you’re building in a high-crime area or natural-disaster zone.
Don’t forget that your choice of coverage options and valuation method (Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost) will also influence your final premium.
Price Drivers & Saving Tips
Where you build has a huge impact on what you’ll pay. Properties along the Massachusetts coast, for example, often come with higher premiums or special wind/hail deductibles due to hurricane exposure. The materials you choose matter too—concrete structures generally cost less to insure than wood-frame buildings.
Smart homeowners can often lower their premiums by implementing security measures like fencing, lighting, and surveillance cameras. These small investments can pay for themselves by reducing theft and vandalism risk.
Working with experienced contractors with solid safety records might positively influence your rates too. Many of our clients at Stanton Insurance are surprised to learn that their contractor’s reputation can affect their insurance costs.
Your deductible choice offers another way to manage costs—opting for a higher deductible typically lowers your premium but means more out-of-pocket expense if something goes wrong.
Want to save on your builder’s risk policy? Consider securing your construction site with proper fencing and lighting. For very large projects, phasing your construction might help manage insurance costs. Don’t forget to ask us about bundling policies—some insurers offer meaningful discounts when you combine builder’s risk with other coverages. And as always, can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance at the best rate? Absolutely—by shopping multiple carriers, which is exactly what we do at Stanton Insurance Agency.
Comparing Builder’s Risk and Homeowners Premium Impact
| Project Type | Construction Budget | Builder’s Risk Premium (1–4%) | Potential Claim Impact on Future Homeowners Premiums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Remodel | $75,000 | $750–$3,000 | Filing under homeowners could increase rates 25–30% for 3–5 years |
| Home Addition | $150,000 | $1,500–$6,000 | Claims history affects insurability with preferred carriers |
| New Home Construction | $500,000 | $5,000–$20,000 | No impact on future homeowners premiums when filed under builder’s risk |
This comparison reveals something crucial that many homeowners miss: while builder’s risk premiums might seem substantial upfront, they can actually save you money in the long run. Filing construction-related claims under your standard homeowners policy could haunt you for years through significantly increased rates or even difficulty finding coverage.
I’ve seen too many homeowners try to save a few dollars by skipping builder’s risk coverage, only to face thousands in uncovered losses or years of increased homeowners premiums after a claim. When you consider the true cost of inadequate coverage, builder’s risk insurance often proves to be money well spent.
For more detailed information about costs, check out our guide on How Much Does Builders Risk Insurance Cost?
How to Buy, Manage & Avoid Mistakes
Navigating builder’s risk insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. As someone who’s helped hundreds of homeowners protect their construction projects, I’ve seen how proper preparation makes all the difference.
Step-by-Step Purchase Guide
Starting your builder’s risk insurance journey begins with clarity about your project. Think of this as creating a roadmap for your coverage needs.
First, gather your construction plans and specifications. Having detailed blueprints and a comprehensive budget that includes both materials and labor costs gives insurers the information they need to provide accurate quotes. Don’t forget to establish a realistic timeline with an anticipated completion date – this directly impacts your policy term.
Next, compile specific details about your project. Insurers will want to know about your construction type (frame, masonry, etc.), square footage, and total project value. They’ll also ask about your contractor’s experience and what security measures you’ll have at the site. These details help determine your risk level and premium.
“When we’re helping homeowners with builder’s risk policies, having complete project information upfront saves everyone time and ensures the right coverage,” I always tell my clients at Stanton Insurance.
With your information in hand, it’s time to seek multiple quotes. I recommend working with an independent agency (like ours) that can shop various carriers to find the best coverage and rates. Try to request quotes at least a month before construction begins to avoid rushing this important decision. Make sure all quotes are based on identical project details for a fair comparison.
Before making your decision, carefully review policy details. Pay attention to coverage limits, deductibles, excluded perils, and available endorsements. Don’t forget to check the policy term and extension options – construction delays happen more often than not!
Finally, bind your coverage before construction begins or any materials arrive on site. Verify that all interested parties (lenders, contractors, etc.) are named on the policy and obtain certificates of insurance as needed.
Mistakes Homeowners Make About Builder’s Risk
Over the years, I’ve seen homeowners make the same mistakes repeatedly when it comes to builder’s risk insurance. Learning from others can save you significant headaches.
Assuming the contractor’s insurance covers your property is perhaps the most common misconception. Your contractor’s general liability policy protects against third-party claims – not damage to your property under construction. Always clarify who’s responsible for builder’s risk coverage in your construction contract.
Many homeowners also make the mistake of under-insuring their project. Your coverage should be based on the completed value, including both materials and labor. I remember one Massachusetts client who insured only for material costs, then faced a significant shortfall after a fire damaged their nearly-completed home addition.
Neglecting soft costs is another oversight I frequently see. While physical damages are obvious concerns, indirect costs like architectural fees, permits, and financing charges that could result from a construction delay are equally important. The right endorsements can cover these expenses.
Failing to plan the transition to homeowners insurance creates dangerous coverage gaps. Builder’s risk policies terminate when construction is complete, so arrange for your permanent homeowners policy to take effect immediately afterward. I always remind clients about this critical transition about a month before their anticipated completion date.
Lastly, ignoring policy exclusions can lead to unpleasant surprises. Standard policies contain important exclusions that vary by carrier. Review these carefully and consider endorsements for excluded perils relevant to your location and project.
Quick Answer: can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance during renovations?
Can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance during renovations? Yes, homeowners can and absolutely should obtain builder’s risk insurance for significant renovation projects. Your standard homeowners policy typically excludes or severely limits coverage during major renovations, especially those involving structural changes or when you need to vacate the property.
Working with an experienced insurance broker is particularly valuable for renovation projects. Coverage needs become complex when dealing with both existing structures and new construction. At Stanton Insurance Agency, we help ensure your policy appropriately covers both aspects.
Your coverage should begin before any materials arrive on-site and continue until the renovation is complete. Once finished, we’ll help update your homeowners policy to reflect the increased value and any changes to the property.
Construction projects represent significant investments. As one client told me after their builder’s risk policy covered $30,000 in storm damage to their half-completed sunroom: “That policy seemed expensive at first, but now I realize it was the best money I ever spent.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Homeowners & Builder’s Risk
What happens if construction delays exceed the policy term?
Construction timelines rarely go exactly as planned. Weather delays, permit issues, contractor scheduling problems—all these can push your completion date beyond what you initially expected. If your project extends past your builder’s risk policy term (typically 9-12 months), don’t panic! Most insurance carriers offer extensions.
To keep your coverage intact when facing delays, you’ll need to be proactive. Contact your insurance agent at least 30 days before your policy expires—we always recommend this to our Stanton Insurance clients to avoid any coverage gaps. You’ll typically need to provide an updated completion timeline and explain what caused the delay.
“We see extensions requested on about 40% of residential construction projects,” I often tell my clients. “It’s a normal part of the construction process, especially for larger projects.”
Most carriers will grant one or two extensions without much hassle, though each extension may involve a brief underwriting review. The important thing is maintaining continuous coverage until your project is complete and your regular homeowners policy takes effect.
Does builder’s risk cover liability for on-site injuries?
This is one of the most common misconceptions I encounter when discussing can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance. The simple answer is no—builder’s risk insurance does not cover liability for injuries that occur on your construction site.
Builder’s risk is fundamentally a property insurance policy that protects the physical structure and materials, not the people working on or visiting your site. For liability protection, you need separate coverage arrangements:
First, ensure your general contractor carries adequate general liability insurance—this is absolutely essential. Request to be added as an additional insured on their policy, which provides you with protection under their coverage. If you’re acting as your own general contractor (which I generally don’t recommend unless you have construction experience), you’ll need to purchase a separate owner’s liability policy.
As one of my contractor clients wisely puts it, “The moment someone steps foot on your construction site, you’re exposed to liability. Making sure that exposure is covered is just as important as protecting the physical structure.”
Even with a builder’s risk policy in place, maintain your homeowners liability coverage if you already own the property. This creates an additional layer of protection during the vulnerable construction period.
Who should be named on the policy besides the homeowner?
When setting up your builder’s risk policy, including all the right parties isn’t just a formality—it ensures everyone’s investment is protected and simplifies the claims process if something goes wrong.
Beyond the homeowner, your policy should typically name:
Your mortgage or construction lender as a loss payee. They have a significant financial interest in the property and most will actually require this. Your general contractor should be listed as an additional insured, as they have both financial and professional stakes in the project’s successful completion.
For larger projects, consider including major subcontractors, particularly those supplying expensive materials or systems like custom cabinetry or specialized HVAC equipment. If architects or engineers have a significant financial interest in your project (perhaps through a design-build arrangement), they should be named as well.
I recently helped a client in Portsmouth who was building a custom home with an architect-designed kitchen featuring imported materials. By naming both the architect and the specialty kitchen contractor on the policy, we ensured that everyone’s interests were aligned if anything happened to those expensive imported cabinets sitting in the garage awaiting installation.
At Stanton Insurance Agency, we walk through your specific project arrangements to determine exactly who should be included on your policy. This personalized approach helps prevent coverage gaps that could lead to disputes if a loss occurs during construction.
Conclusion
When starting on a construction project—whether it’s building your dream home from scratch or tackling that major renovation you’ve been planning for years—proper insurance protection deserves as much attention as selecting quality materials and hiring skilled contractors. Builder’s risk insurance provides that crucial safety net during the vulnerable construction phase of your property.
So to address the question we started with—can a homeowner get builder’s risk insurance?—absolutely yes. Not only can you purchase this coverage as a homeowner, but in many cases, you absolutely should, especially when you own the property where construction is happening. This specialized policy bridges that critical gap between having no coverage at all and the standard homeowners policy that will eventually protect your completed home.
I’ve seen how builder’s risk insurance has saved homeowners from financial disaster after unexpected events during construction. One client in coastal Massachusetts had nearly completed their new beach house when a nor’easter caused significant damage to the structure. Their builder’s risk policy covered the repairs completely, allowing the project to continue without depleting their savings or delaying completion.
The benefits of builder’s risk insurance are substantial for homeowners:
Protection against theft, vandalism, fire, and weather damage during the vulnerable construction phase when your property is most exposed to these risks. Many of my clients are surprised by how common construction site theft can be—those stacks of copper pipes and expensive fixtures are tempting targets!
Coverage for building materials both on-site and in transit gives you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected from the moment materials are purchased until they’re installed in your home.
Higher limits for construction-specific concerns like debris removal mean you won’t be caught short if cleanup is needed after a covered event. This is especially important since standard homeowners policies often have more restrictive limits.
By keeping construction claims separate from your permanent homeowners insurance, you preserve your claims history and avoid potential premium increases on the policy that will cover your home for years to come.
At Stanton Insurance Agency, we understand the unique insurance challenges faced by homeowners throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine who are undertaking construction projects. Our experienced team can help you steer the process of obtaining appropriate builder’s risk coverage custom to your specific project needs.
Don’t leave your construction investment unprotected during its most vulnerable phase. Contact Stanton Insurance Agency today to discuss your builder’s risk insurance needs and ensure your project has comprehensive protection from groundbreaking to completion. We’ll help you build with confidence, knowing you’re covered every step of the way.
