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Construction
Built for complexity.
Construction risk takes shape early, but insurance decisions are often made too late
Construction projects are becoming more complex to plan and deliver
Owners, contractors, designers, and lenders all play a role in assessing and managing risk, with decisions shaped by financing, delivery models, and contractual obligations that evolve throughout a project.
Those decisions are difficult to revisit once work is underway, even as conditions shift. At the same time, construction timelines are shortening and costs are increasing, leaving less room for adjustments or delays.
In that high-pressure environment, there’s little room for error. Yet when commercial construction insurance programs are arranged after key decisions are already made, it can leave owners responsible for losses they expected to be covered, including property damage, disputes with other stakeholders, and litigation.
What’s crucial is how construction insurance is handled. It’s often treated as a one-time purchase or renewal, rather than integrated into long-term strategic planning. A more effective approach connects insurance decisions to how projects are planned, financed, and delivered, and keeps them aligned as conditions change.
Construction risk becomes harder to manage once projects are underway
Risk management needs to be part of every construction project from day one
As work progresses, the impact of earlier decisions becomes clear. Contract terms and shifting responsibilities can expose gaps in how responsibility is defined across owners, contractors, and subcontractors.
These challenges often show up through construction liability exposures, including defects, project delays, and legal disputes between stakeholders. Design responsibilities can blur, increasing the risk of contractor errors or omissions. Jobsite conditions and changes in scope can also lead to damage, rework, and schedule disruption as work progresses.
Construction and contractors insurance is expected to respond in these situations, but issues can arise when it doesn’t reflect how the work was structured or how responsibilities were allocated. This can affect how claims are resolved and increase overall costs, particularly on large or multi-party developments.
That’s why risk management needs to be in place from the start.
The construction risk and insurance products we offer include
Construction liability insurance
General liability protection for third-party injury, property damage, and construction defects to match contractual obligations.
Professional liability and contractor E&O
Professional liability protection for design-build and advisory work, addressing errors and omissions across project stakeholders.
Builders risk insurance and construction all risk insurance (CAR)
Coverage for property under construction, including damage, vandalism, and theft of materials.
Project and wrap-up insurance programs
Project-wide insurance programs, including OCIP and contractor-led arrangements, bringing multiple parties into a single program and clarifying liability on complex builds.
Construction equipment insurance
Construction equipment insurance for owned and rented equipment, including heavy machinery, addressing damage, theft, and breakdown, with flexibility for short-term use across different job sites.
Surety and construction bonding
Supports performance and payment bonds to help contractors demonstrate financial strength and meet obligations to owners and project partners.
Other Howden capabilities that are important for your industry
Construction insurance program design
Structuring insurance around contracts and project delivery, including coordinating across parties and incorporating environmental exposures within programs as needed.
Claims advocacy
Active involvement in construction liability insurance claims, working with carriers and legal teams to manage disputes and improve outcomes.
Independent advisory and market access
Objective advice and flexible placement with insurers across global construction markets.
Ready to talk?
Connect with Howden advisor to review your construction insurance program and project risks. Meet our Construction team
CEO, US Construction PracticeCEO, US Construction PracticeMark leads the Howden U.S. Construction Team and brings over three decades of legal and insurance industry experience.
Mark and his team provide risk management consulting services for Construction firms, Architects, Engineers, Developers and Owners. The Howden Construction team provides services and expertise across a variety of disciplines including Casualty, Builders Risk, Surety, Professional, SDI and Environmental.
In addition to leading the team, Mark assists clients with negotiating complex construction projects and is experienced with the full spectrum of contractual models used to deliver these assets.
Prior to joining Howden, Mark led a Professional Liability team at a competing broker, providing guidance on professional liability risks and consultive services to clients when claims or coverage issues arose. He is particularly adept at guiding firms through the legal and liability challenges inherent in large-scale construction projects.
Earlier in his career, Mark was a partner at Stinson Leonard Street LLP in Omaha, Nebraska, and a shareholder at Koley Jessen P.C., where he built a national litigation practice focused on intellectual property, construction, engineering, and professional liability disputes.
Executive Vice President, COO, US Construction PracticeExecutive Vice President, COO, US Construction PracticeDave serves as Executive Vice President – Chief Operating Officer for our US Construction practice. With over 20 years of experience spanning construction brokerage and management, Dave offers a well-rounded perspective on the industry and a proven track record of driving results. He is highly skilled in risk management, strategy, and operations, with a passion for building and leading high-performing teams. Dave is focused on strengthening our construction operations, developing robust systems, and enhancing the strategic value we deliver to client relationships.
Dave brings over 20 years of experience split between construction brokerage and construction management and enhances Howden’s ability to add valuable insight to our client relationships as well as to strengthen operations.
Prior to joining Howden, Dave was a Partner at The Baldwin Group in Fort Lauderdale, where he was responsible for Florida Construction operations. Dave also previously held roles as Vice President at Moss Construction in Fort Lauderdale, as well as various brokerage positions at Marsh, Willis, and Alliant in the Boston area.
Dave holds a Bachelors’ Degree from Connecticut College, and a Masters’ degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. A Risk & Insurance Magazine Risk All-Star in 2019 and 2020, Dave is also a 2020 South Florida Business Journal 40-Under-40 honouree, and a 2020 Engineering News Record Top Young Professional nominee. He holds a professional designation as a Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS).