Chubb vs 
Markel Insurance: How Do They Compare for Builders Risk Insurance?
What Is Chubb?
Chubb fits technology firms seeking DigiTech ERM or small businesses with up to $30 million in revenue seeking a BOP; buyers wanting an instant direct purchase should compare online carriers. Agents can quote eligible small accounts, with a faster cyber route. 1,2,3
Markel Insurance: Specialty Business and Products
Markel Insurance is Markel Group's specialty and small-business insurance business, with offerings across packages, workers' compensation, cyber, professional and management liability, property, marine, and surety. Products use different insurers and distribution routes, so compare the issuer and terms shown on the specific quote. 5,6
What Is Builders Risk Insurance?
Builders risk protects the project you are building, including materials meant for it, against physical loss until construction ends. The gaps that cost owners money are materials in storage or transit, the existing building in a renovation, and coverage ending when you occupy early. 8,9,10,11
Key Differences in Builders Risk Insurance
Project Programs and Project Duration
Chubb describes both individual-project and master builders risk programs, with physical damage and delay-in-opening coverage among its listed options. Markel instead highlights projects ranging from basic structures to infrastructure and power work, and says coverage periods may extend up to 60 months. For a portfolio of projects, ask Chubb how its master program applies; for a long schedule, ask Markel whether the stated period fits the specific build. 4 7
Construction Scope and Eligibility
Chubb targets contractors, developers, owners and homebuilders with active construction programs and strong property-preservation practices. Markel names civil and mechanical engineering and completed civil projects such as bridges, dams, tunnels and power facilities. Those descriptions point to different project profiles: bring Chubb evidence of your construction controls, and ask Markel how it treats the project’s engineering and completed-works phases. 4 7
Capacity and Risk Advice
Chubb says it can take primary, full-limit, quota-share, buffer or excess positions and offers bundled or unbundled loss-control services. Markel says it may write 100% or participate as a subscriber, but requires project-specific capacity confirmation. Ask both markets for the dollar amount and layer they will actually commit; Chubb also asks for project values and delay-of-opening details when that coverage is requested. 4 7
What to Confirm in Builders Risk Insurance Quotes
- Ask Chubb whether delay-in-opening coverage applies to your project’s soft costs and what waiting period and indemnity period are quoted. 4
- Ask Markel to confirm the offered project period, dollar capacity, and whether it is the lead insurer or a subscriber. 7
- Compare the stated construction-control requirements and treatment of completed works in both proposed forms. 4 7
Review Scores
These averages can combine ratings for different products, locations, and customer groups, including approximate BBB grade conversions. Read each review for the sources, scope, and calculation.
Chubb
Review Score
5 rated sources
Chubb earns 5/5 from NerdWallet, which reports fewer-than-expected commercial property and liability complaints. Customer ratings are mixed across products and locations.[1][4][7][8][9]
Read Chubb reviewsMarkel Insurance
Review Score
2 rated sources
There is little public customer feedback on Markel. Trustpilot shows 2.5 out of 5 from just 5 reviews, and BBB lists 12 complaints closed in the last three years.[4][3]
Read Markel Insurance reviewsOffering Details
Chubb vs Markel Insurance: Builders Risk Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | Chubb Builders' Risk Insurance | Markel builders risk |
|---|---|---|
| Role in This Line | Chubb underwrites builders' risk insurance directly for commercial and residential contractors and for engineering construction such as bridges and tunnels. 4Company-reported. Builders' Risk Insurance product page. | Markel offers builders-risk coverage for construction projects from basic four-wall risks to complex infrastructure and power projects. 7Company-reported. Large builders-risk page; specific project underwriting applies. |
| Who It’s For | Chubb targets contractors, developers, owners or homebuilders with an active construction program and a strong property-preservation management approach. 4Company-reported. Target clients section. | Targeted exposures include civil engineering, mechanical engineering and completed civil engineering projects, including bridges, dams, tunnels and power facilities. 7Company-reported. Published target examples; no eligibility guarantee. |
| 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. 4Company-reported. Coverage list; subject to the policy as issued. | Confirm in your quote. |
| Limits and Retentions | Chubb says it offers capacity in a variety of positions, including primary, full limit, quota share, buffer and excess layer, but the reviewed page does not publish specific dollar limits. 4Not found in reviewed sources. Coverage list and Benefits section. | Markel states coverage periods may extend up to 60 months and that it may write 100% or participate as a subscriber; project-specific capacity must be confirmed. 7Company-reported. Program capability, not a commitment for an individual risk. |
| 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. 4Company-reported. Coverage list Benefits section. | Confirm in your quote. |
| 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. 4Company-reported. Submission requirements section. | Confirm in your quote. |
Full Comparison
More Chubb vs Markel Insurance Comparisons
Other Builders Risk Insurance Comparisons
Sources
Chubb
- Insurance For Technology Companies. Chubb; Industry overview; Who we serve; Products and services: commercial package insurance (BOP, Benchmarq, Customarq), E&O/Cyber, Financial Lines, workers’ compensation, auto and umbrella; dedicated underwriting, claims and risk engineering. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Terms Of Use. Chubb; Acceptance of Terms identifying Chubb Group Holdings Inc.; surplus-lines producer restriction; products not available to all users or jurisdictions; Chubb Limited safe-harbor language; Internet Portals for Chubb Business. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Cyber Insurance Coverage & Products. Chubb; Cyber insurance product catalog: Cyber ERM, DigiTech ERM (technology E&O, media and cyber) and Pro ERM (non-licensed professional services); Marketplace quoting for eligible risks under $100 million revenue; first- and third-party coverage summaries. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Builders' Risk Insurance. Chubb; Coverage list: Individual Project and Master Programs, DIC, physical damage and delay in opening, International Builders Risk; Target clients; Submission requirements. Accessed 2026-09-23.
Markel Insurance
- About us. Markel; Markel at a glance; description of Markel Insurance within Markel Group Inc. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; filed by Markel Group Inc.; Cover page; Part I, Item 1 Business—Markel Insurance, U.S. Wholesale and Specialty, Programs and Solutions; Part II, Item 7/8 for group and segment risks. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Builders Risk Insurance. Markel; Coverage features; construction projects and builders-risk scope. Accessed 2026-09-29.
Builders Risk Insurance Guide
- Glossary of Insurance Terms. National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Builders’ Risk Policies; Ocean Marine; Auto Physical Damage; All-Risk. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Commercial Insurance Guide. California Department of Insurance; Commercial Property; Inland Marine; What Should I Expect from a Broker-Agent. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Builders Risk Coverage Form. Insurance Services Office, Inc.; hosted by Touchpoint Markets; A.1–3 p.1; B.3.c p.11; C,D,E p.12. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Builders Risk Application Tip Sheet. US Assure; General policy application tips p.1; Remodeling tips p.2. Accessed 2026-09-16.
