This page is for project-coordinating construction businesses
General contractors, construction managers, developers and firms responsible for multiple subcontractors have project-level questions that go beyond an individual trade contractor’s annual package. A plumber, electrician, landscaper or renovation trade can start with the contractor insurance guide.
For a project-coordinating business, identify the legal entities, role on each project, maximum completed and projected values, delivery model, territories and percentage of work subcontracted. Design-build work, ownership interests and responsibility for site safety or scheduling should be stated explicitly.
Separate annual coverage from project coverage
The business may maintain annual general liability, property, equipment, automobile, pollution, cyber and office coverage. A large project can also use owner- or contractor-controlled project policies, wrap-up liability, project-specific professional liability or other arrangements.
Do not assume an owner-arranged program protects every participant or every activity. Obtain the policy, not only a certificate, and confirm insured parties, completed-operations periods, deductibles, limits, exclusions and responsibility for uninsured costs.
Assign the construction property risk
Builder’s risk can insure a project while work is underway, subject to its parties, values, period and causes of loss. The contract should establish who purchases it, whether existing structures and temporary works are included, how change orders are reported and when the project is considered complete.
Delay in startup, equipment breakdown, testing, soft costs and off-site or transit property require specific review. A contractor’s normal tools policy is not a substitute for insuring the work in progress.
Make subcontractor controls match the contract
Use written agreements that address scope, indemnity, insurance, additional insured status and evidence of coverage. Track renewals and identify high-hazard work such as excavation, hot work, structural alteration, roofing or environmental remediation.
The contractual liability guide explains why a certificate does not amend coverage. Risk transfer can reduce uncertainty, but it does not automatically remove the general contractor’s or construction manager’s own liability.
Protect the project’s critical path
Map the suppliers, specialist trades, permits, approvals and equipment that can delay completion. A covered property loss can create financing costs, extended general conditions, lost rents or postponed revenue that are not resolved simply by replacing damaged material.
Keep values, schedules and progress reporting current. Notify the broker before a material scope increase, delay, occupancy, change in ownership or extension beyond the policy term.
Safety compliance remains separate
Ontario Regulation 213/91 assigns duties to construction workplace parties and addresses project hazards and emergency procedures. Insurance does not replace these duties. Maintain site-specific plans, training, inspections, incident records and clear responsibility among the owner, constructor, employers and supervisors.
Contact Westoak with the organizational role, annual operations, contracts and largest current or planned projects so annual and project-specific insurance can be reviewed separately.