Construction insurance

Helvetia construction all-risk insurance is property insurance for building projects. It covers damage caused to the building under construction, such as through accidents, malicious damage or theft. The insurance also covers all building materials and components.

What risks does construction all-risk insurance cover?

• Building accidents, e.g. if parts of the building collapse, walls securing the excavation fail or objects are destroyed due to water damage
• Fire and natural forces, such as storms, flooding or landslides (as an option in cantons with no cantonal building insurance)
• Theft
• Loss or damage due to civil commotion (such as riots or disturbances)
• Damage caused by sprayers and vandals
  

The following costs are covered:

• to rectify structural damage
• to locate the damage and identify its causes
• for clean-up and disposal
• to tear down and rebuild undamaged structural elements
  

Helvetia covers costs arising out of structural damage for up to two years after the date of acceptance:

• that was caused during the building phase but only became apparent after acceptance
• that occurs while an insured subcontractor is performing warranty work

Optional additional cover

Depending on your individual requirements, you can cover additional risks. You can supplement your basic construction all-risk insurance with one of three possible packages:

The Light combi supplementary insurance package covers 

• materials for scaffolding, excavation support and sheet piling
• subsoil, spoil and fill
• existing buildings and movable property
• additional costs for clean-up, locating the damage, tearing down and rebuilding
  

The Plus combi supplementary insurance package covers the above risks as well as

• expert opinion / survey costs and damage location costs
• movable property 
• additional costs for overtime and work on Sundays, public holidays and at night
• construction machinery, equipment and tools
  
• The Top combi supplementary insurance package covers the above risks as well as
  building delays and interruptions
• scratches on glazing
  

Helvetia offers other supplementary insurance that you can conclude separately:

• Drilling for geothermal probes
• Earthquake
  

Builder’s liability insurance is a type of financial loss insurance. As the client, you are responsible for any injury or damage your construction work causes to third parties. The insurance protects you against financial claims arising out of such cases of personal injury or property damage. It indemnifies justified claims and helps you mount a defence against unjustified ones.

Builder’s liability insurance covers claims in relation to

• personal injury, including health impairments and death
• damage to property, including destruction, damage or loss
• pure financial losses
  

The following costs are covered:

• the cost of justified claims for damages brought by third parties
• the cost of mounting a defence against unjustified claims
• the cost of expert opinions and legal fees
• damage prevention costs (action taken to avert impending damage)
• loss mitigation costs (action taken to limit the extent of the damage)
• Legal expenses insurance in criminal cases

Example As the jib of a crane is turning, a pallet of bricks slips off the hook, damaging the neighbour’s garage. As the exact cause of the accident cannot be determined, the client is liable in full for the damage.