Chubb vs 
Harper: How Do They Compare for Builders Risk Insurance?
Harper is a broker running one application across many markets, with same-day certificates; Chubb underwrites its own builders risk for contractors, developers and homebuilders, including master programs.
Chubb writes individual-project and master builders-risk policies with delay-in-opening cover; Harper bundles builders risk with construction coverage and promises same-day additional-insured certificates. 1,2
What Are the Key Differences Between Chubb and Harper Builders Risk Insurance?
Carrier Versus Construction-Package Broker
Chubb targets active construction programs, including commercial, residential and engineering projects such as bridges and tunnels. Harper describes builders risk from ground break to handover alongside jobsite liability, which can help contractors coordinating construction coverage and certificates. 1 2
Engineering Projects Versus Trades Coverage Callouts
Chubb targets contractors, developers, owners or homebuilders with an active construction program and writes commercial, residential and engineering construction such as bridges and tunnels, with master programs, delay-in-opening, DIC, green endorsements and contract-penalty cover. Harper describes builders risk as covering structure, materials and fixtures from ground break to handover for GCs, specialty trades, remodelers, residential and commercial builders and construction managers, alongside jobsite liability. 1 2 3
Submissions, Certificates and Consulting
Chubb lists submission requirements including values, locations and delay-in-opening details, and offers loss-control consulting bundled or unbundled. Harper says it takes one application for construction risk, quotes admitted and excess-and-surplus markets, and writes additional-insured, waiver-of-subrogation and primary-and-non-contributory certificates the same day. Neither publishes builders-risk dollar limits. 1 2
What Should You Confirm in Chubb and Harper Builders Risk Insurance Quotes?
- Ask Harper whether Chubb is among the construction markets it quotes and whether delay-in-opening is available. 2 1
- Ask Chubb whether the account needs an individual project policy or a master program. 1
- Confirm certificate wording and timing if the contract requires same-day AI/waiver language. 2
- If the work is a bridge, tunnel or other engineering job, ask whether Harper’s trades package or Chubb’s engineering construction appetite is the intended path. 1 2
Chubb vs Harper Builders Risk Insurance Compared
Chubb vs Harper: Builders Risk Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | Chubb Builders' Risk Insurance | Harper Builders Risk Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Who It’s For | Chubb targets contractors, developers, owners or homebuilders with an active construction program and a strong property-preservation management approach. 1Company-reported. Target clients section. | Harper says Construction & Contractors coverage, including builders risk, is for general contractors managing subs, specialty trades such as roofing, framing, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, remodelers and handymen, residential and commercial builders, and construction managers. 2Company-reported. Construction & Contractors industry page 'Who this is for' section; not builders-risk-specific eligibility criteria such as project value or completion timeline. |
| How to Apply | Chubb says submissions should include a project description, statement of values, locations, limits and coverage requirements, plus a breakdown of soft costs, pro forma and period of indemnity if delay-in-opening coverage is requested. 1Company-reported. Submission requirements section. | Harper says it takes one application for construction risk, including builders risk, and quotes it across every market it says writes construction, admitted where pricing allows and excess-and-surplus lines when the work demands it. 2Company-reported. Construction & Contractors industry page 'Why Harper' section; specific markets contacted for a given project are not named. |
| Coverage Features | Chubb offers Individual Project Builders Risk and Master Programs, difference-in-conditions coverage for selected construction projects, both physical-damage and delay-in-opening coverage, International Builders Risk for U.S. domestic clients, a portfolio of green endorsements, and contract-penalty coverage tied to a covered physical-damage loss. 1Company-reported. Coverage list; subject to the policy as issued. | Harper describes builders risk as covering the structure, materials and fixtures of a project from ground break to handover, alongside jobsite liability and the certificates a project requires to start. 2,3Company-reported. Construction & Contractors industry page coverage callouts and homepage industries carousel; the issued policy and declarations would control actual terms. |
| Role in This Line | Chubb underwrites builders' risk insurance directly for commercial and residential contractors and for engineering construction such as bridges and tunnels. 1Company-reported. Builders' Risk Insurance product page. | Harper places builders risk as one piece of its Construction & Contractors insurance package, describing itself as calling every market that writes construction and presenting the options back, rather than underwriting the coverage itself. 2Company-reported. Construction & Contractors industry page; describes Harper's placement role for the package that includes builders risk, not a standalone builders risk product page. |
| Risk Services | Chubb offers loss-control and risk-consulting services on both a bundled and unbundled basis, with underwriters averaging more than 20 years of builders-risk experience. 1Company-reported. Coverage list Benefits section. | Harper says it writes certificates of insurance with additional-insured, waiver-of-subrogation and primary-and-non-contributory wording the same day a contract calls for it, and checks subcontractors' certificates so their risk does not become the general contractor's. 2Company-reported. Construction & Contractors industry page; describes the certificate and risk-review service Harper says it provides around construction projects, which includes builders risk jobs. |
