Builders Risk Insurance
What is Builders Risk Insurance?
Coverage is provided for materials, supplies, machinery, equipment, fixtures designed to be a permanent part of the fabrication, erection, installation, alterations , or completion of the project while at the project site, as well as in transit, or at any temporary location.
Builders risk insurance is a form of property insurance that covers property owners and builders for projects under construction, renovation or repair. This insurance is similar to Building and Personal Property coverage; the difference being, this coverage is used to cover buildings during the course of construction.
Builders risk provides coverage on an all risk basis, including theft and vandalism, for accidental losses, damage, or destruction of property for which the insured has insurable interest. This property can include an entire building or other structure in the course of construction including the building supplies and materials at the job site to be used in the project. The contractor can be named as an additional insured if requested. The contractor’s equipment and tools are not covered and should be specially insured by the contractor.
Builders risk policies do not cover losses occurring before construction begins or after completion of construction. Construction must be in progress for coverage to exist.
The limit of insurance may equal the full value of the project. Where only a limited percentage of the full project may be exposed to a single loss, coverage may be available for loss limit.
When the project is finished, an appraisal is conducted to update any changes.
Optional coverage can be requested to include “soft cost” not directly related to construction (financial costs, additional interest expenses, leasing and marketing expenses, legal and accounting expenses and miscellaneous carrying cost); delayed opening loss of income, should a delay in completion result in loss revenue. Flood and quake coverage’s are also available upon request.
If your organization will be engaged in any construction related activities please contact W. A. George Insurance Agency in Chicago, Il for details on obtaining builders risk coverage.
Liability Insurance
General Liability
A broad commercial policy that covers general liability exposures of a business. Coverage typically includes product liability, completed operations, premises and operations, and personal and advertising injury. We recommend that all businesses operating have general liability coverage in place.
Business Owners Policy (BOP)
A business insurance policy that combines property, liability and business interruption coverages for small to medium-sized businesses. This packaged set of coverages is generally less expensive than if each coverage was purchased separately. A Business Owners policy is typically available to businesses and industries that are viewed as having relatively low liability exposures.
Workers Comp & Employers Liability
This coverage pays for medical care and physical rehabilitation of employees injured at work and helps to replace lost wages while they are unable to work. Additionally, this coverage protects an employer from being sued by an injured worker in most cases. A commonly overlooked exposure for companies who employ mostly office workers is the potential injury to employees while driving their own vehicles on company business. This could be as simple as an employee driving to a sales call, the bank or office supply store. If you have employees, it is critical that you consider this important coverage.
Professional Liability (E&O)
E&O covers professionals for negligence and errors or omissions that injure their clients. In addition to covering licensed professionals such as accountants, attorneys, insurance agents, architect and engineers, technology companies frequently have a professional liability exposure. This typically arises from the fact that the general liability policy excludes damage to data. Technology E&O can protect your company in the event that your negligence, error, or omission causes damage to a third party’s data. We recommend that all professional and technology companies have E&O coverage.
Umbrella
This business insurance policy provides coverage for losses above the limit of an underlying policy or policies such as General Liability, Employers Liability and Automobile Liability. Due to the unpredictable nature of jury awards, Northwest Insurance recommends that your business insurance program have this coverage.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
Employment Practices Liability Insurance for employers that covers employment-related liabilities other than on the job injuries. EPLI will cover legal fees and damages for suits such as wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and other alleged violations of employees’ legal rights. Although only three percent of Employment Practices lawsuits go in favor of the plaintiff, the average cost to defend yourself in one of these is well over $200,000. If you have employees, we recommend considering this coverage.
Directors and Officers (D&O)
D&O covers directors and officers of a company for negligent acts or omissions and for misleading statements that result in lawsuits against the company. There are a variety of D&O coverages. Corporate reimbursement coverage indemnifies directors and officers of the organization. Side-A coverage provides D&O coverage for personal liability when directors and officers are not indemnified by the firm. Entity coverage, for claims made specifically against the company, is also available. D&O policies may be broadened to include coverage for employment practices liability.
Why W.A. George Insurance Agency
W.A. George is a highly reputable insurance agency in Chicago, Illinois who will provide the right coverage for the right price.
Commercial Property Insurance
Building
If you own a commercial building, replacement cost coverage is needed. Although cost estimators are available, W.A. George Insurance Agency recommends that you secure an appraisal from a third party to accurately determine the current replacement cost of the building.
Flood
Most commercial property policies and homeowners’ policies exclude flood as a covered cause of loss. A separate policy must be purchased to protect you from damage due to a flood.
Business Personal Property
This provides you coverage for your business personal property at a specified location and covers furniture, fixtures, equipment and inventory. Be aware that most commercial property policies have very limited coverage for property taken off the specified location. If you have equipment that is frequently taken off site to various locations, it is important that you have an inland marine policy (equipment or installation floater) to cover this property.
Business Income (Business Interruption Coverage)
This coverage reimburses a business owner for lost profits and continuing fixed expenses during the time that a business must stay closed while the premises are being restored because of physical damage from a covered event, such as a fire. Business income insurance also may cover financial losses that may occur if civil authorities limit access to an area after a disaster and their actions prevent customers from reaching the business premises. Depending on the policy, civil authorities’ coverage may start after a waiting period and last for two or more weeks. It is strongly recommended that all businesses acquire this coverage.
EDP
Electronic Data Processing coverage is separate property coverage specifically designed to protect your computer related equipment. Most commercial property policies have limited coverage for computer networks. EDP broadens the causes of loss to include things like power surges and in some cases virus attacks.
Why W.A. George Insurance Agency
W.A. George Insurance Agency of Chicago, Il will provide a policy that covers your property in the Chicago, Illinois area or nationally as well.