Frequently Asked Question:

Does my Builder’s Risk Insurance cover subcontractor work?

Insurance Type
Related Industries
Construction
Contractors & Trades
Related Coverages
Builder’s All Risk

The Short Answer

It depends, but Builder’s Risk policies often cover your subcontractors.

The Full Answer

Builder’s risk insurance covers the project itself including buildings under construction, materials, and certain soft costs, regardless of whether the work is performed by you or your subcontractors. However, the details are critical. Many policies protect the financial interests of the owner and prime contractor first, and do not automatically extend full protection to every subcontractor’s property or interests.

Key Questions We Help You Clarify

  • Who is an insured? We confirm whether the policy includes “contractors and subcontractors as their interests may appear” or specifically names subs as additional insureds on the builder’s risk policy.
  • What property is covered? Most policies cover the structure, temporary works, and materials on-site or in transit. Subcontractors’ tools and equipment are often excluded or only minimally covered.
  • Whose policy responds? If the owner carries builder’s risk, we ensure your contract and the policy align. If you, as GC, carry it, we align subcontract agreements and additional insured status to eliminate gaps.
  • What is not covered? Builder’s risk does not replace your general liability or your subcontractors’ GL and workers’ compensation for bodily injury or third-party property damage arising from construction activities.

How Liberty Protects Your Project

Liberty’s construction team reviews your builder’s risk wording alongside your subcontracts so you know exactly how subcontractor work and materials are treated—and where you need separate coverage or contract language to close gaps.

Related Questions

Usually not for the water-side exposure. Commercial general liability policies commonly exclude liability from owning, operating, or caring for watercraft, with narrow exceptions, so businesses with vessels, docks, or customers’ boats need marine liability coverage.

Ship repairers legal liability (SRLL) insurance covers a repair yard’s legal liability for damage to customers’ vessels while they are in the yard’s care. It fills the gap left by general liability policies that exclude property in the insured’s custody.

Yes. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault state system, while Jones Act claims are negligence lawsuits that crew members bring under federal maritime law. Employers with seamen on staff typically need maritime employers liability coverage, added to a workers’ compensation policy or written separately.

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