What are the key risks in the building and construction industry?
Construction projects involve multiple stakeholders and are often undertaken on challenging sites. Construction businesses must often manage changes to scope or orders, poorly written contracts and specifications and complex project management issues. They may need to deal with labour and materials shortages, or theft of tools and materials.
Subcontractors and suppliers can provide extra stress for construction firms, as can the rising number of extreme weather events. What’s more, cybercrime is an emerging threat to construction businesses, which often use insecure connections from mobile workplaces, and share files and data with stakeholders outside the business.
Who should consider insurance?
Whether you’re an owner builder, a contractor or a large construction company, you’ll need a range of insurance covers to safeguard your workers, building and equipment.
What insurance should you take out - and what can it cover?
Following is a summary of types of insurance covers generally recommended for your industry. However, additional covers may be required for your individual business, and your Coastsure Insurance Broker can tailor a cost effective insurance program to suit your specific circumstances.
| Type of cover | |
|---|---|
| Contract works |
Protects any buildings under construction and construction equipment. This cover may include protection against:
|
| Business pack |
Safeguards your business premises against:
|
| Cyber | Safeguards you and your business against expenses and legal costs if your website or other systems are hacked and your system cannot be used or customers’ details are stolen. |
| Management Liability | Covers your liability to third parties as businesses managers, for such things as Employment Practice Liabilities for wrongful dismissal or discrimination, Statutory Liabilities for breaches of Corporations Law, breaches of Fair trading law etc |
| Motor Insurance |
Takes care of your valuable business vehicles with cover to:
|
| Professional Indemnity | Protects you against legal action from a client for breach of professional duty. This type of insurance is often required by building contracts. |
| Workers compensation | Covers the cost of your employees’ wages, rehabilitation and medication if they become injured or sick through their work. |