The DOXA Solution for Insurance Agents Navigating Complex Construction Risks

Are you navigating the complex risks of construction? From crane collapses to scaffolding falls, securing the right insurance is crucial but challenging. How can you ensure your clients’ projects are covered? DOXA provides tailored solutions to help safeguard their construction endeavors.

The Unique Risks of Heavy Construction

Construction is a demanding business requiring specialized skills, equipment, and risk management strategies. Whether it’s safety on site, potential litigation years after project completion, or insuring complex machinery, insurance agents must navigate an intricate landscape. High-risk activities—such as crane operations, scaffolding installation, and concrete pumping—can make securing the right coverage a challenge.

DOXA understands these risks and provides specialized solutions tailored to the needs of construction firms. Our expertise in excess and surplus markets ensures agents can find coverage even for difficult-to-place risks.

CRANES: Managing Elevated Risk

Cranes are essential for heavy lifting on job sites, but they also present significant liability concerns. From erection to operation, every stage carries risk. In 2023, a 180-foot boom collapse in Manhattan injured a dozen people, highlighting the potential for catastrophic claims.

Key insurance considerations for crane risks:

• On-hook coverage for lifted property
• Experience and training of operators and riggers
• Wind and weather risks affecting crane stability
• Radius and weight capacity concerns for urban projects

DOXA provides access to specialized primary coverage for cranes and works with excess markets that understand the complexity of these risks. With our underwriting expertise, insurance agents can secure broad terms for crane operators while navigating exclusions that often challenge coverage availability.

SCAFFOLDING: Addressing Legal Complexities

Scaffolding presents another challenge due to frequent and severe losses. Falls account for nearly 40% of construction fatalities, and New York’s Scaffold Law imposes absolute liability on companies, further complicating the insurance landscape.

Key scaffolding risks include:

• Fall-related injuries leading to costly litigation
• Action-over claims that shift liability to contractors
• Dismantling and maintenance risks for long-term projects
• Limited excess market appetite due to high claim severity

With DOXA, agents gain access to markets that understand scaffolding risks and can structure coverage accordingly. We ensure clients meet indemnification and safety requirements, reducing exposure and improving insurability.

CONCRETE PUMPING: Heavy Equipment, Heavy Liability

Concrete pumping trucks are indispensable for modern construction, but their weight and operational risks present substantial insurance challenges. These trucks can tip over, strike power lines, or cause hose-related injuries.

Key insurance concerns include:

• Tipping risks requiring site assessments and safety measures
• Electrocution hazards from boom operations near power lines
• Product liability considerations when concrete quality is questioned
• Residential vs. commercial project distinctions affecting coverage

DOXA helps agents secure comprehensive policies that align with the unique exposures of concrete pumping operations. Our expertise ensures that residential exclusions, wrap-up policy limitations, and subcontractor requirements are clearly addressed within policies.

RESIDENTIAL HOMEBUILDING: Managing Long-Tail Exposure

Residential homebuilding remains a difficult sector to insure due to class-action litigation and defect claims that can surface years later. Even minor issues in a small number of homes can lead to broad legal actions affecting an entire development.

Key challenges include:

• Coverage restrictions based on project size and location
• Subcontractor vetting to ensure quality control
• Completed operations coverage concerns for long-term risk
• Litigation-prone markets like Texas and Florida

DOXA works with agents to structure policies that align with evolving market conditions. By working with underwriters who specialize in homebuilding risks, we help agents secure the right balance of protection for developers and general contractors.

FIRE SUPPRESSION: Protecting Against High-Severity Claims

Fire suppression systems are critical for mitigating fire risks but can also cause extensive water damage if they fail. Malfunctions often lead to high-value claims, limiting market participation.

Key risk factors include:

• Water damage claims due to system malfunctions
• Installation errors leading to costly failures
• Building conversion risks affecting coverage terms
• Limited excess market options for professional liability

DOXA partners with specialized carriers that offer tailored fire suppression programs, ensuring coverage includes general liability, professional excess, and auto as needed. Our solutions help agents navigate exclusions and optimize policy structures.

The DOXA Advantage: Expertise That Moves Construction Forward

Construction is a dynamic industry requiring expert risk management. The complexities of crane operations, scaffolding safety, concrete pumping, residential homebuilding, and fire suppression demand specialized insurance solutions.

DOXA delivers:

• Deep market expertise in placing difficult-to-insure construction risks
• Access to specialty programs with broad coverage options
• Excess market relationships that enhance coverage availability
• Underwriting insights that improve policy structuring

Insurance agents working with DOXA gain a trusted partner who understands the nuances of construction risks and provides the tools to secure the best possible coverage. Let’s build smarter, safer insurance solutions together.

Take Action Today

Navigating the insurance needs of heavy construction requires expertise and access to the right markets. Partner with DOXA to secure tailored solutions for your clients’ most complex risks.

Connect with DOXA today to learn how we can help you place difficult construction accounts with confidence.