What Is a Course of Construction Policy, and Why Job Sites in Ontario Use It
You’re building something real, with real deadlines, real tools, and real weather. If a windstorm tears off tarps, someone breaks in overnight, or a water line lets go mid-reno, the question hits fast: who pays, and how long does the project stall?
This post explains what this policy is in plain language, what it usually does (and doesn’t) respond to, and a simple field-ready checklist you can use before the next job starts.
Quick definition in plain language
A course of construction policy is insurance that’s meant to protect a project while it’s being built or renovated. It’s focused on the structure and materials during the build, not the finished “home insurance” stage.
Why it matters: job sites are full of gaps—temporary heat, open walls, stored materials, rotating crews—and a single loss can knock cash flow sideways.
The job-site test: 3 questions to pick the right fit
Before you call it “covered,” run these three questions. They’re simple on purpose.
What exactly is at risk right now?
Think: framing lumber, windows waiting to be installed, cabinets in boxes, partially completed work, rented heaters, and temporary fencing.
Where is it located? Where could it be damaged or stolen?
On-site storage, a sea can, a garage, a locked room inside the structure, or in transit to the site can all be treated differently.
Who has an insurable interest?
Owner, GC, or a specific trade—sometimes more than one party is exposed. If the policy name doesn’t match the real money at risk, claims get messy.
Quotable line: “If the policyholder isn’t the one who loses money, expect delays when it’s time to settle.”
Concrete example: A crew installs windows on a Friday. Overnight, thieves remove several units and damage the frames. The structure is still “in progress,” so a construction-phase policy is typically the one that gets looked at first, not the owner’s regular home policy.
What it often includes, and what to watch for
Most policies are designed around physical loss or damage during construction. The details vary by insurer and project type, so treat this as a practical starting map.
Common areas to review:
Materials on site (what’s included, and what needs to be listed)
Work in progress (partially completed portions of the build)
Temporary structures (scaffolding/hoarding may need separate attention)
Tools and equipment (often not automatic, sometimes handled under a contractor package)
Transit/storage limits (especially if materials sit off-site)
Ask your broker for a one-page “coverage snapshot” you can share with the site lead.
A reusable “Coverage Snapshot” template (copy/paste)
Use this as an email or text outline when you’re lining up coverage for a new project:
Project address (Ontario):
Build type: new build / major reno/addition
Start date + expected completion date:
Total project value (labour + materials):
Materials stored: on-site/off-site (address)/in transit
Security: fencing, lighting, cameras, lockbox, overnight storage plan
Any hot work, temporary heat, or vacant periods expected:
Who should be named (owner/GC/company name):
Any lender/municipality requirements:
Fast contact for the site if something happens after hours:
Quotable line: “Clear inputs at the start beat rushed fixes after a loss.”
5 common mistakes construction crews see (and the fix)
1) Understating the project value
Fix: include labour, materials, and what it would cost to redo completed work.
2) Assuming tools are automatically included
Fix: confirm if tools are separate and set realistic limits per trailer/sea can.
3) Not matching the dates to the real schedule
Fix: Set a completion date with a buffer, and update it when the schedule shifts.
4) Weak site security on paper
Fix: align the application with what you actually do—locks, lighting, storage, and who has keys.
5) Confusing liability with property protection
Fix: confirm you have both sides covered: job-site liability for third-party injury/damage, and construction-phase property coverage for the build itself.
Where to get the Ontario details nailed down
If you want the plain-English version of how this works for your kind of job—custom home, reno, small commercial build, or multi-trade project—start here: builders risk insurance, and then review the fine points that change claim outcomes, like limits, storage, and named parties: builders risk insurance coverage.
Take five minutes today: write down the project value, where materials sit overnight, and who needs to be named. That’s usually enough for a broker to spot gaps before they turn into delays.
For more information: builders insurance












