The construction and real estate industry continue to grow and so do the risk exposures from a fundamental inconsistency between a contract’s commercial intent and insurance policy language. “Additional Insured” is a very common requirement in a real estate or construction contract and many times there is a distinct lack of specificity with what is, actually, being required and why the provision is appropriate. Additional Insured status provides vicarious liability coverage to an outside entity, usually, an owner or general contractor, under the subcontractor’s policy. It is often a requirement in construction contracts, and it can be the source of insurance disputes if not handled correctly given the changes in the regulatory framework of today’s insurance policies.
Topics: Construction, Construction Accidents, Construction Premiums, Construction Project Risk, Insurance, Limit of Liability, Property Risk, Real Estate, Risk management, Risk Management Blog, Strategic Risk Management, The ALS Group, Total Cost of Risk
Soft cost, or delay in the project completion coverage has been a hot topic of discussion and concern recently due to the unique claims scenarios that occur during a construction phase of a project. At first glance, the term “soft costs” seems easy to explain. But it's actually a more complex subject.
Topics: Construction, Construction Premiums, Construction Project Risk, Real Estate, Risk Management Blog, Strategic Risk Management, The ALS Group
It should not be surprising that as technology evolves, so does the way that these innovations are implemented in everyday business. The construction industry tends to exemplify this notion, as new equipment that increases efficiency at the worksite is utilized and embraced. Construction giant, Komatsu, announced this month that it plans to release a series of drones that will be capable of providing the heavy lifting of the foundation work in new construction, deeming the process: “Smart Construction.” This includes equipment such as “aircraft, bulldozers, and excavators” operating unmanned, all of which could, drastically, change the landscape of construction contracting.
Topics: Construction, Construction Project Risk, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Property Risk, Risk Management Blog, Strategic Risk Management
The global outbreak of the Ebola virus not only has long term social ramifications but economic ones as well. Recently, this issue has become more and more prevalent on construction projects in developing nations. When a local government considers a substantial construction project it is expecting certain economic outcomes to follow. In light of the Ebola crisis, risk managers of construction companies and material supply companies must now factor into their budgets the real likelihood of a project being delayed or shut down even after a substantial amount of funds have been expended. A recent WSJ article, "Mining Projects Take Hit From Ebola Crisis", spoke about how major mining efforts have come to a virtual halt in the regions where Ebola is most prevalent. Work is now being disrupted by contractors pulling out of the area. This could lead to a variety of claims being filed – which may or may not be covered.
Topics: Construction, Construction Project Risk, Ebola, Risk Management Blog
In 2012, the most recent year for which data is available, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 849 construction worker fatalities. Crane accidents make up a large number of these deaths and an even greater number of construction-related injuries each year. Not only can a crane accident cause significant injury to workers on a construction site, but it can also cause injury and death to innocent passersby of the site. Given the risk associated with crane operation on a construction site, what should you – owners and contractors – do to mitigate this risk and limit your exposure?
Topics: Construction, Risk Management Blog
As you may or may not have heard, there is currently a bill sitting in the New Jersey Legislature, which, if passed, would swiftly alter the landscape of commercial liability policies for New Jersey construction contractors.
Topics: Construction, Risk Management Blog
Contracts, Insurance and Certificates…..the saga continues….
As a follow-up to my colleague’s recent post in Construction Executive, I wanted to emphasize the need for properly written contracts. In construction projects, the contract documents form the basis of the agreement between the parties involved in the project. Written construction contracts impose many duties, obligations and liabilities on contractors. Although project owners pay great attention to the operational issues addressed in these contracts, many pay too little attention to the risk and insurance implications of various contract provisions.
Topics: Construction, Construction Accidents, Risk Management Blog
Jury verdicts for premises liability against those who own or manage land, stores, taverns, shopping malls and apartment complexes just keep climbing. A few California verdicts include a $7.5 million judgment after a chiropractor slipped and fell in a Starbucks and a $55 million verdict for a gang-related shooting against a security company that oversaw on-site safety at an apartment complex.
Topics: Claim Reporting, Claims Handling, Claims Management, Construction, Limit of Liability, Property Risk, Real Estate, Risk Management Blog, Strategic Risk Management, Total Cost of Risk (TCoR)
Each week, landlords and authorities discover 300 methamphetamine labs in the United States, according to National Public Radio. If you own apartments, rent hotels or run boarding homes, you may run into a tenant who decides your rental properties are a great place to cook meth. Better check your commercial property policy now, because recent changes in commercial property insurance coverage forms may significantly restrict coverage for the resultant clean-up from meth “cooking” operations.
Topics: Construction, Political Risk, Property Risk, Real Estate, Risk Management Blog, Strategic Risk Management, TCoR, The ALS Group, Total Cost of Risk, Total Cost of Risk (TCoR)
One of the most commonly found clauses in any construction contract is the requirement of one party to name another party as an additional insured. It is found in The American Institute of Architects (AIA) documents, the Consensus DOCS, and was inserted in almost all manuscript agreements.
Topics: Claim Reporting, Claims Handling, Claims Management, Claims Management Process, Construction, Construction Accidents, Healthcare, Human Capital, Real Estate, Risk Management Blog, Strategic Risk Management, Total Cost of Risk, Total Cost of Risk (TCoR), Worker's Compensation