Building delays could void your insurance

Going over the maximum construction period

What is a ‘maximum construction period’ clause?

All Contract Works and Liability insurance policies contain a Construction Period clause that sets out a maximum period a builder is permitted to take to complete their project; it’s typically 12 months but can be shorter.

What happens if I cannot complete the work during this period?

If a project extends beyond this maximum period, then the policy may no longer provide cover for that project.

What should I do to ensure my insurance policy continues to protect me?

To avoid this occurring to you, members should:

• Check their insurance policies to find their maximum construction period; and
• Contact HIA Insurance Services or your broker/insurer if your project is likely to take longer than the maximum construction period.

Long periods of no site activity

What is a cessation of work clause?

Contract Works and Liability insurance policies also contain a "cessation of works" clause.  This clause states a maximum period for which a project can be “on hold”.  For example, some policies will allow works to be on hold for 30 days.

What happens if work is delayed for longer than the cessation of work period?

If you are unable to continue working on-site for more than the 30 days or whatever period your policy states, then that job may no longer be covered for things like liability or material damage incidents.

To avoid this occurring, members should refer to their individual policies to determine the period of cessation of works and keep records of any activity on a site within that period even if it’s just a security check.

If in doubt, contact HIA Insurance Services or your broker/insurer.  For further information and guidance about what to do during a site shutdown, members should refer to the ‘Site shutdown - dealing with clients & contracts’.

Building out of the normal sequence

Members are looking for ways to keep working while waiting for the necessary materials or labour to be available. Doing building work ‘out of order’ or in a way that sits at odds with industry custom and practice may keep you busy, but it could have consequences for your insurance coverage.

For example, if you install the interior before the exterior cladding the insurer may deny any contract works claim on the grounds that you did not take “Reasonable Care and Precautions”. This may jeopardise your ability to make a claim if, for example, there is rain damage to interior work when the exterior cladding is incomplete.

Before making any changes to the order of building work, members should contact HIA Insurance Services or their broker/ insurer.

Take me there

The above is intended to provide general information in summary form. The content does not constitute specific advice and should not be relied upon as such. Formal advice should be sought by members and customers with respect to particular matters before taking action.