Contract Works Insurance for Started Works

Sometimes, but it's difficult. Once physical work has commenced, many contract works insurers step back because part of the risk has already begun. Some specialist construction underwriters will consider started works case by case, with full disclosure and often after reviewing the current site condition. Cover, where available, generally responds to events from the date it incepts forward - it cannot cover damage or defects that already exist.

Insurance is designed for uncertain future events. Once a slab is poured, a frame is up or materials are on site, some of the risk has already crystallised and there's no clean baseline to rate from, so this typically sits outside the appetite of generalist and online insurers. Specialist markets can take a more considered view, but they need detail and disclosure to do it.

Generally, any physical activity on the project site - site establishment, excavation, demolition, delivery of materials, or actual construction. Design, planning and approvals before anyone is on site usually don't count as commenced works, but it's safest to assume cover should be in place before any physical work begins.

Tell us as much as you can about where the job is up to, the contract value, the remaining works and anything that's happened on site. We'll approach the specialist construction markets that will consider started works and present the risk properly. The earlier you call, the more of the remaining build there is to protect.

Arrange contract works cover before any physical work begins, ideally as soon as the contract is signed and the start date is known. For builders running several jobs, an annual contract works policy covers each project within the period automatically, which removes the risk of a job starting before a single-project policy is in place.