Builders Risk Answer
What Is the Difference Between Builders Risk and Installation Floater?
Both protect construction property — but they serve different parties in completely different ways. Here’s exactly how they differ and when you need each one.
- ✓Builders risk: project-specific, covers the whole build
- ✓Installation floater: contractor-specific, follows materials from warehouse to acceptance
- ✓Both can coexist on the same project — no duplication
- ✓Subcontractors need floaters; owners and GCs need builders risk
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The Direct Answer
Builders risk and installation floaters both protect property associated with construction — but they serve different parties, cover different scopes, and operate on completely different terms.
Builders risk: A project-specific policy purchased by the owner or GC. It attaches to a single project and covers the entire structure, all materials on-site, and work in place from groundbreaking through completion. One project, one policy.
Installation floater: A contractor-specific inland marine policy purchased by a subcontractor. It covers their specific materials and equipment from the time they leave the contractor’s warehouse through delivery, on-site storage, installation, and acceptance. It follows the contractor across multiple projects — not tied to one job.
| Feature | Builders Risk | Installation Floater |
|---|---|---|
| Who buys it | Owner or GC | Subcontractor |
| Scope | Entire project | Specific contractor’s materials |
| Coverage start | Groundbreaking | Materials leave warehouse |
| Project-specific | Yes | No — follows contractor |
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