Author: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Research Division

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 58

ISBN-13:

In Canada, home builders acquire protection via various forms of insurance, including, among others, builders risk insurance, wrap-up general liability insurance and contractors comprehensive general liability insurance. Together, these types of coverage, whether purchased on a project-by-project or continuous basis, not only provide builders with protection for loss and liability throughout and following construction projects but also act as a means of securing the interests of financial stakeholders associated with the project(s). This study was designed to satisfy the following key objectives: Ÿ Develop an understanding of the issues surrounding builders risk insurance; and Ÿ Develop an understanding of the issues surrounding post-construction liability insurance. Primary research for this study consisted of conducting nationwide interviews of residential construction companies, insurance underwriters and brokers, and associations and lending organizations, while secondary research consisted of documentation and literature reviews of previously published articles, research and proprietary association and company materials. According to the research conducted, the insurance market for all types of commercial coverage has hardened over the last three years. A "hard" market designates an environment characterized by rising prices and reductions in capacity to underwrite insurance. The market has reacted to the events of September 11, reductions in reinsurance capacity, poor underwriting results and a difficult investment climate. The insurance industry's appetite for insuring residential construction projects has been particularly weak in response to widely publicized catastrophic fires at construction sites at several different locations across Canada and the emergence of new risks such as mold and terrorism. The insurance market for residential construction is contracting, with lower risk tolerance and fewer companies participating in the market. Over the last three years, home builders have identified construction insurance as a critical problem area with reports of higher premiums and deductibles, reduced levels of coverage, new warranties and conditions attached to the policies, as well as refusals of coverage. These recent developments are a cause of concern in the housing industry with respect to the cost and availability of insurance. The cost of insurance ultimately affects housing affordability and the profitability of the home builders' business.