Been declined or struggling to insure a construction project?
Earthquake risk. Complex builds. EPS materials.
We place what others can't.
Some construction projects don’t fit neatly into standard insurance policies. Whether it’s due to earthquake exposure, location, project size, design complexity, or past claims history, many insurers will simply decline the risk. That’s where specialist placement matters.
We work with construction businesses facing difficult or high-risk insurance placements, helping secure cover that keeps projects moving and contracts compliant.
We specialise in placing construction insurance when others can’t, helping you move forward and meet contract requirements.
Not every project is easy to insure and you’re likely dealing with one that isn’t.
Why projects get declined
A construction project may be considered high risk or difficult to insure if it involves:
- Significant earthquake or natural disaster exposure
- Large-scale or high-value contract works
- Complex structural or engineering design
- Unusual construction methods or materials such as EPS.
- Challenging site locations (Wellington, CBDs, coastal, remote, seismic zones)
- Tight contractual insurance requirements
- Previous claims or insurer hesitation
Standard insurance markets often won’t accommodate these risks or they impose restrictive terms that don’t meet contract requirements. We can place construction
risks others walk away from.
Your Insurance
How the process works
Most brokers rely on standard insurance markets so when your project doesn’t fit, they run out of options. We work with specialist insurers to secure cover for complex, high-risk construction projects.
1. Tell us about your project
You share the details of your construction project, including scope, location, contract requirements, and any challenges you’ve faced getting cover. This helps identify what makes the risk complex or hard to place.
2. We assess the risk
Your project is reviewed to understand key exposures such as earthquake risk, build type, value, timeframe, and contractual obligations. This step ensures the right insurers are approached from the start.
3. We prepare a specialist submission
Your project is presented clearly and professionally, highlighting risk controls and key information insurers need to see. How the risk is presented can make all the difference.
4. Specialist markets are approached
Rather than standard insurers, we approach specialist markets suited to high-risk construction projects. This is where experience and market relationships matter most.
5. Cover is structured and negotiated
Policy terms, limits, excesses, and wording are negotiated to align with your project and contract requirements. The goal is practical cover that actually works, not just a policy on paper.
6. Ongoing support throughout the project
From changes to scope through to claims support, you’ll have guidance from start to completion. So you stay protected at every stage of the build.
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.
- Experience placing high-risk and declined risks
- Access to specialist and non-standard insurance markets
- Clear guidance on what insurers need to see
- Practical advice to improve insurability
- Support from pre-contract through to claims
- Clear and honest advice
Yes. That’s exactly where we specialise. Many clients come to us after being turned away elsewhere.
Previous declines don’t mean cover is impossible, it often means the risk needs to be presented differently or placed with specialist insurers.
Generally yes, however there can be strict restrictions or endorsements for Earthquake prone areas, and availability depends on location, project type, and insurer appetite. We have a number of solutions to ensure you and your financers are comfortable with your Earthquake exposure.
That’s a key focus. Policies are structured to align with principal, head contractor, and contract wording requirements wherever possible.
It can be, due to the nature of the risk. However, the cost of being uninsured, or underinsured is usually far greater.