Overview of the Program from Allstar Financial Group
Allstar Financial Group’s Small Business Solutions Division offers a Builder's Risk Insurance program designed for contractors, developers and owners who need property and related casualty protection while a project is under construction. The program covers physical loss or damage during construction — fire, wind, equipment breakdown and other covered perils — and is structured to be flexible for monoline or packaged placements.
A principle of common law is that improvements to land become the property of the title holder once an improvement is made. Builder's risk coverage helps indemnify owners, contractors, and other interests for covered loss during the build phase. Allstar’s Small Business Solutions Division has streamlined placement for these accounts — contact one of our underwriters for submission guidance and program specifics.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
- Contractors and general builders working on small to mid-sized projects
- Habitational construction (multi-family and residential developments)
- Office, retail and wholesale tenant fit-outs and new builds
- Institutional projects with straightforward risk profiles
- Vacant-site projects where construction exposure is the primary concern
Typical appetite: projects with total insurable values (TIV) up to $5 million per location, standard construction methods, documented risk controls, and routine subcontractor use. Accounts with unusual hazards, long-term vacancy or high degrees of environmental exposure should be discussed with underwriting before submission.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
Property Coverage Highlights
- TIV up to $5 million (per location)
- Monoline or packaged options available
- No coinsurance options available (may vary by risk type)
- Optional coverage enhancements available, including equipment breakdown
Casualty Coverage Highlights
- Monoline or package options
- Minimum premiums starting at $500
- Primary limits up to $5 million / $5 million
- Project-specific policies available
- Uninsured subcontractor coverage available
- Optional endorsement enhancements:
- Blanket additional insured
- Waiver of subrogation
- Primary/non-contributory wording
- Per project / per location aggregate
- Hired & Non-Owned auto (certain classes)
- Miscellaneous professional liability (certain classes)
Umbrella Coverage Highlights
- Limits available up to $5 million
- Minimum premium starting at $750
- Supported or unsupported forms
Underwriting Notes and Minimums
- AM Best rating A-VI or better for underlying auto or general liability
- AM Best rating B++ or better for employers liability
- Typical GL limits requested: $1M / $2M / $2M
- Minimum premiums vary by line: casualty minimums often start at $500; umbrella minimums at $750. Final premiums depend on exposures and forms chosen.
Territories and Availability
This program is available in most states, with current appetite in: AL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA. Coverage availability and admitted vs. non-admitted placement can vary by state and by risk — discuss state-specific placements with underwriting.
Why Work with Allstar Financial Group on Builder's Risk
- Specialized underwriting for contractor and construction risks through a dedicated Small Business Solutions team.
- Flexible placement options: monoline property, packages, casualty and umbrella layers to meet contract requirements.
- Project-specific policies and endorsements to accommodate additional insureds, waiver of subrogation, and primary/non-contributory wording.
- Competitive limits up to $5M TIV and casualty/umbrella limits to support mid-market construction exposures.
Example Accounts
- A general contractor building a 30-unit multifamily project with a TIV of $3.2M seeking a project policy with blanket additional insured endorsements and equipment breakdown coverage.
- A tenant improvement for a regional retail chain requiring primary/non-contributory liability, hired/non-owned auto coverages, and a per-project aggregate for the location.
If you have a submission, bring: completed application, estimate of TIV, project schedule, contractor/subcontractor list, and safety controls. For borderline or complex risks, underwriters are available to review prior to submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this Builder's Risk program?
Small to mid-sized construction projects — contractors, habitational builds, office/retail renovations, and institutional projects — with TIVs up to $5M per location and routine risk controls are a strong fit.
Can this program provide project-specific policies and endorsements for additional insureds?
Yes. Allstar can issue project-specific policies and offers common endorsements such as blanket additional insured, waiver of subrogation, and primary/non-contributory wording where appropriate.
What are the underwriting requirements for casualty and umbrella layers?
Underwriters generally expect underlying carriers rated A-VI or better for auto/GL and B++ or better for employers liability. Typical GL limits requested are $1M/$2M/$2M; umbrella limits are available to $5M.
Are equipment breakdown and uninsured subcontractor coverages available?
Yes. Equipment breakdown is available as a property enhancement, and the program can include coverage for losses caused by uninsured subcontractors in appropriate classes.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.