Construction insurance
Straightforward
Complex
High-risk
Hard-to-place
From everyday commercial builds to projects others can’t insure, we make sure you get cover and are ready to move foward.
Construction Insurance
Builders and Contractors
Construction projects come with tight deadlines, large financial commitments, and risks that can change overnight. Whether you’re a contractor, developer, or builder, the right construction insurance helps protect your project, your reputation, and your bottom line from unexpected setbacks. From securing bonds to protecting work in progress and meeting contract requirements, having the right cover in place means you can focus on delivering the job, knowing your project is properly protected from start to finish.
Builders
Commercial contractors
Residential developers
Civil contractors
Subcontractors
Project managers
Types of Construction Insurance
The cover you need to keep projects moving
Construction projects come with real risk and real requirements. We structure cover to protect your business, meet contractual obligations, and keep your project on track.
Core Construction Cover
- Contract Works
- Public Liability
- Machinery and Plant
- Tools
Project & Compliance Cover
- Contract Works
- Builders Warranty
- Professional Indemnity (if required)
- Advance Loss of Profits / Delay in Start-Up
Contract Requirements
Meeting contract insurance requirements
Many construction contracts require specific insurance structures, limits, and documentation. If cover isn’t right, projects don’t proceed. We make sure everything is structured properly, so you’re compliant and ready to move.
If your project has been flagged as difficult or declined, we can help get it placed.
High-risk or difficult projects
Projects with high earthquake exposure, unusual design, large values, or prior claims can be difficult to insure. Where most brokers run out of options, we will work with specialist markets to secure practical solutions when standard insurers decline.
We specialise in placing construction risks others can’t, so your project can get underway or doesn’t stall.
Types of Insurance
Extra cover to consider
Depending on how your business operates, you may need additional protection beyond standard policies. We can help you identify optional extensions and specialist cover that strengthen your protection and reduce potential gaps.
Business Insurance
Even if your main risk is the advice you provide, your physical assets still matter. Business insurance can protect your office contents, equipment, and income if you experience damage, theft, or an unexpected interruption.
It brings together key covers like property, public liability, and business interruption into one practical policy, helping keep your business running if something disrupts operations.
Management Liability
If you run a professional services business, you carry responsibilities beyond client work. Management liability insurance helps protect you and your directors against claims relating to employment disputes, regulatory investigations, statutory breaches, and alleged mismanagement.
It’s designed to safeguard your leadership team and business decisions, not just your professional advice.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance
If your business relies on cars, utes, vans, or light trucks, having the right cover in place is essential. Commercial vehicle insurance helps protect your vehicles against accidental damage, theft, fire, and third-party liability, whether you operate a single vehicle or a fleet.
It can cover response costs, legal expenses, client notification, and business interruption, helping you recover quickly and protect your reputation.
Specialist experience matters.
Why work with us?
With 26 years of experience, Sentinel Insurance has helped New Zealand construction businesses secure insurance for some of the most challenging projects in the market.
- Access to specialist and non-standard insurance markets
- Experience placing high-risk and declined risks
- Clear guidance on what insurers need to see
- Practical guidance to get your project insurable
- Ongoing support from placement through to claims
- Straight answers: no wasted time, no false promises
Faq
Answers to common construction insurance questions
Here are some of the most common questions New Zealand business owners ask when arranging construction cover. Not sure where to start? Contact us today.
In many cases, no, the head contractor or principal will arrange Contract Works insurance for the entire project. However, you should never assume this. Always check the contract to confirm whether you’re covered under the main policy or required to arrange your own cover for your portion of the works, tools, or plant.
It depends on the project, we’ll advise what’s required and structure it properly.
There isn’t one standard limit, but many councils and commercial principals in New Zealand require public liability limits of $10 million or $20 million. Contract Works limits typically need to reflect the full contract value of the project, including materials and labour. It’s important to match the limit to the contract to avoid non-compliance.
Yes, in many cases you can. A previous claim doesn’t automatically mean you can’t get insurance but it may affect terms, deductibles, or pricing. The key is presenting the full context of the claim and demonstrating what risk management improvements have been made since. Specialist placement can make a significant difference here.