Builders risk insurance in Florida, for the building while it goes up.
Owners building a home, contractors and developers across Florida: we help you look at builders risk coverage for a structure under construction, and at what your lender or construction contract asks for. In English, Spanish or Russian.
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What builders risk insurance is
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners describes builders’ risk as coverage that “insures against loss to buildings in the course of construction,” typically written on a reporting or completed value form (NAIC glossary). In plain terms, it’s designed for the period while a structure is being built, before a regular property policy takes over. Policy forms vary, so what a specific policy covers depends on its wording.
Florida builds a lot: the U.S. Census Bureau reports 178,297 housing units in 114,415 buildings authorized by building permits in Florida in 2025.
Who typically needs it
- Owners building a new home, including owner-builders
- General contractors and home builders, when the contract makes them responsible for insuring the work
- Investors and developers building or substantially renovating a property
- Anyone with a construction loan: lenders often require builders risk, so check your loan documents for the exact requirement
How builders risk fits with other coverage
Builders risk
Covers the structure under construction. The covered causes of loss, limits and deductibles depend on the policy you choose.
General liability
A separate policy for injury or damage to others caused by the work. Contractors usually carry their own; owner-builders should ask about it too.
Workers’ compensation
A separate policy for employees hurt on the job. Builders risk does not replace it.
Tools & equipment
Contractors’ own tools and equipment are usually insured separately under an inland marine policy.
Property insurance after completion
When construction ends and the building is occupied, a permanent homeowners or commercial property policy needs to be in place.
Florida points to know
Hurricane season, rain and theft: read the policy
Builders risk policies are not all written the same way. They differ in which causes of loss they cover, how windstorm and hurricane losses are handled and which deductible applies, whether materials stored on site or in transit are included, whether theft and vandalism are covered, and when coverage starts and ends. A Florida project can run through hurricane season, so ask how the quoted policy treats wind before you buy it. We go through these points with you on the actual quote.
Building as an owner-builder?
Florida’s owner-builder disclosure statement, set out in § 489.103, says the owner-builder is the responsible party of record on the permit. It also warns that an owner-builder may be held liable for injuries to unlicensed workers on the property and that homeowner’s insurance may not cover those injuries. If you’re building this way, talk to us about liability coverage as well as builders risk.
Check your loan and your contract
Construction loans and construction contracts often spell out who must buy builders risk, for what amount and who must be named on the policy. Send us those pages with your request so the quote matches them.
What to have ready for a quote
- Project address and a short description: new home, addition, renovation or commercial building
- Construction type (for example concrete block or wood frame), number of stories and square footage
- Completed value of the project
- Start date and expected completion date
- Current stage of construction, if work has already started
- Who the owner, general contractor and lender are
- Insurance requirements from the loan or construction contract
- Site security: fencing, lighting, cameras
When the home is finished, see new construction home insurance. Contractors can also see contractor insurance.
Talk to our team
M&K Agency is a family-owned agency in Florida City serving business owners across Florida by phone, text and email. When you call, you talk to one of us, in English, Spanish or Russian.
Mikhail Kozlov
Carolina Silva
Jose Egues ChalelaBuilders risk insurance: common questions
Will my homeowners policy cover a house that’s still being built?
Don’t assume it will. A house under construction is commonly insured under a builders risk policy until it’s finished and a permanent policy takes over. Talk to us before work starts so there’s no gap.
Who buys builders risk, the owner or the contractor?
Either can, depending on the construction contract and the lender. Those documents usually say who is responsible. Send them to us and we’ll help you find that section.
Does builders risk cover hurricane damage?
It depends on the policy. Wind and hurricane coverage, the deductible that applies and any conditions tied to the stage of construction vary from one policy to another. We’ll show you how the quoted policy handles wind before you decide.
How long does a builders risk policy last?
Policies are written for a set term that should match your construction schedule. Ask us what your options are if the project runs longer than planned.
Do you only work with projects near Florida City?
No. Our office is in Florida City, but we work with owners and contractors building across Florida by phone, text and email, in English, Spanish and Russian.
This article is general information, not legal advice or policy language. Coverage depends on the terms, limits and exclusions of your policy, and eligibility rules can change. Talk with a licensed agent about your situation.
Sources
Legal facts on this page were checked against these official sources on September 26, 2026.