Specified perils in construction contracts
Construction works involve large amounts of money and are at high risk of damage. As a consequence construction contracts will generally include an obligation to insure:
- The works.
- On-site materials or goods.
- Off-site materials or goods.
- Existing structures and their contents.
This insurance may cover all risks, or may be restricted to certain ‘specified perils.’
Specified perils tend to be significant events that would cause very significant damage, such as fire, explosions, earthquakes, flooding and so on. All-risks insurance will tend to cover a broader range of risks, albeit it may not cover every possible risk.
Policies may be taken out by the contractor or by the client depending on the form of contract and the options selected, and may be for all risks, specified perils, or a combination for different parts of the cover. For example existing structures might be insured against specified perils whilst the construction works might be insured against all risks.
Insurance will generally be in the form of a ‘joint names policy’ in the names of the contractor and the client. This gives both parties their own rights to claim against the insurer. Other parties, such as funders may also be added as a joint name.
Joint-names insurance will generally prevent claims against the co-insured party for an insured loss. Whether or not claims can be made by one party against the other for uninsured losses where one of the parties is at fault will depend on whether the contract permits this or not.
NB See also relevant events.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Quality Planning for Micro and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
A CIOB Academy Technical Information sheet.
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.