Work around people and property
Site activities and completed work can give rise to third-party claims. The nature of your trade and the contracts you sign matter.
ONTARIO INSURANCE / CONTRACTORS & CONSTRUCTION
Contractor insurance. From first plans to final details.
Your work moves from site to site. Your insurance conversation should follow your trade, projects, people, tools, and the responsibilities you take on.
Request a Commercial QuoteProtect what matters, plan for more.
01 / UNDERSTAND YOUR EXPOSURES
Start with how
your business works.
A practical insurance review begins with the details of your operations and the events that could interrupt them.
Tools and equipment on the move
Equipment may be stored in vehicles, moved between sites, rented, or left on location. Review theft, storage, transit, and valuation conditions.
A project before completion
Materials and work in progress may need different property coverage from a finished building. Clarify who arranges project insurance and when it ends.
02 / COMMONLY CONSIDERED COVERAGES
Consider the pieces.
Understand the connections.
These are discussion points, not a package automatically included in a policy. Each option depends on your operations and insurer terms.
Commercial general liability
Discuss premises, site operations, products, and completed-work exposures, including limits and exclusions relevant to your trade.
Coverage overviewTools & contractors’ equipment
Review owned and rented equipment, off-site locations, theft conditions, and the cost of replacing specialist tools.
Coverage overviewBuilders’ risk
Consider insured physical damage to a project during construction, with values, project dates, and responsibilities clearly identified.
Coverage overviewInstallation & materials
Ask about materials during transport, temporary storage, and installation; the applicable protection depends on the form arranged.
Coverage overviewCommercial auto
Discuss work trucks, vans, trailers, drivers, and business use. Do not assume tools or cargo are included in vehicle coverage.
Coverage overviewProfessional liability
If you provide design, consulting, or other professional services, discuss those responsibilities separately from general liability.
Coverage overview03 / YOUR KIND OF BUSINESS
Different operations.
A thoughtful starting point.
Examples of businesses to discuss with Fortiva. Eligibility and available coverage are subject to underwriting.
- General contractors
- Residential & commercial renovators
- Electrical & mechanical trades
- Carpentry & finishing trades
- Landscaping & site contractors
- Other construction businesses
04 / WHY WORK WITH AN INSURANCE BROKER?
Turn business details
into better questions.
A broker can help you describe your operations, understand available options, and review the terms that deserve attention.
Understand the operations
Bring a description of your trade, project types and values, equipment list, subcontractor arrangements, business vehicle details, claims history, and relevant contract requirements.
Look beyond a coverage name
Compare limits, deductibles, conditions, and exclusions. Discuss the gaps between your business responsibilities and what a policy actually insures.
Keep the conversation current
Tell your broker about changes in activities, values, locations, products, or contracts so your insurance can be reviewed against the facts.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
A clearer view
of your insurance.
Start with the questions that matter to you. Your policy and circumstances always guide the details.
Does general liability pay to correct my own defective work?
Do not rely on it for that purpose. The cost of redoing work, contractual warranties, and damage to other property can be treated differently. Have the policy’s workmanship and related exclusions explained for your operations.
Is builders’ risk the same as liability insurance?
No. Builders’ risk addresses specified property exposures during construction. Liability insurance deals with certain claims by others. A project may require consideration of both, with responsibilities agreed before work begins.
Are tools left in a work vehicle automatically covered?
No. Ask about tools coverage, theft and security conditions, overnight storage, deductibles, and limits. The vehicle’s own insurance and the tools inside it may need separate arrangements.
Does a certificate of insurance change my policy?
A certificate is evidence of the coverage described; it does not itself add coverage. If a contract requires an additional insured or other change, ask your broker to review whether the policy can meet that request.
What should I disclose about subcontractors?
Explain the work subcontracted, how contractors are selected, and the insurance documentation you obtain. Your use of subcontractors and contractual responsibilities can affect how an insurer assesses your operations.
YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION / FORTIVA INSURANCE
Protect what matters.
Plan for more.
Let’s discuss your business, operations, and coverage priorities.