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
ECA Industry Awards 2024 shortlist revealed
22 leading businesses from across the electrotechnical and engineering services sector.
Government unveils Skills England strategy
Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
New Government Hub for York Given Planning Green Light
For up to 2,600 civil servants, due for completion by 2028.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards
July update on Professionally Qualified and Academically Qualified Person Cards.
BSRIA Briefing 2024, November 22
Sustainable Futures: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
The CLC on driving competency in the retrofit sector
Previously published roadmap on skills for net zero.
The first labour government King's speech in fifteen years
Construction industry reactions, support and some concern.
CIOB Retrofit of Buildings Technical Information Sheet
What retrofit is, the approach to be taken and processes to be followed.
Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency
Historic England advice note 18, free download published.
10 retrofit projects revisited 10 years after completion.
Information orders, building liability orders and SPVs
Key BSA terms and how they impact special purpose vehicles.
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.
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.