
Builders Risk in New Hampshire
New Hampshire requires a shoreland permit before construction, excavation, or filling within a protected shoreland, with a permit-by-notification path for qualifying low-impact projects. Separately, the current Env-Wq 1503.09 rule requires floodplain boundary, elevation, and compensatory-storage information for projects proposing fill in a 100-year floodplain under an alteration-of-terrain permit; additional analysis is required for larger fill volumes or bridge and culvert crossings. These rules apply to defined activities and do not decide policy coverage.
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. Read the national Builders risk guide.
What to Watch for With Builders Risk in New Hampshire
Check whether the work is within protected shoreland
RSA 483-B:5-b bars starting construction, excavation, or filling in protected shoreland without a department permit. It allows permit-by-notification for qualifying projects, including impacts under 1,500 square feet and no more than 900 square feet of added impervious area, if they meet the other standards. Ask the permitting authority which route fits the actual work. 1
Budget time for floodplain mapping and compensatory storage
For an alteration-of-terrain application involving fill within a 100-year floodplain, current Env-Wq 1503.09 requires boundary and elevation information and compensatory-storage locations and volumes. Share the fill plan and affected site areas with the engineer and permitting team before setting mobilization dates. 2
Ask when a bridge, culvert, or larger fill needs hydraulic analysis
The New Hampshire rule calls for watershed information, bank photographs, and a stamped HEC-RAS analysis for fill over 0.5 acre-feet or a proposed bridge or culvert crossing, subject to stated details and exceptions. If those features are in the contract, get the project engineer and permit reviewer to confirm required studies and sequence. 2
Present site and water exposures as insurance questions
A shoreland or floodplain permit identifies a regulatory work area; it does not establish which losses a builders-risk policy covers. Give the broker the parcel, work limits, fill and crossing details, material locations, and project dates, then ask how flood, water, erosion, stored materials, and term extensions are treated in the actual quote. 1,2
Which Builders Risk Providers Have New Hampshire License Records?
No provider in our research has both a state license record and a listing for this coverage line. This does not establish that providers are unlicensed. Check the regulator’s license lookup and confirm availability with a provider when requesting a quote.
Who Regulates Insurance in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire Insurance Department
The New Hampshire Insurance Department licenses insurance producers and insurers, oversees insurance markets and investigates complaints concerning entities within the Commissioner’s authority. Its consumer services line is 800-852-3416. 3,4,5,6
Surplus-Lines Tax and Stamping Office in New Hampshire
Reported tax rate. 3% on the New Hampshire allocation; other-state allocations use those states’ rates and fees 7,8,9
New Hampshire charges 3% on gross premium allocated to New Hampshire; for multistate coverage, premium allocated elsewhere is taxed at the rates and fees applicable in those jurisdictions, less qualifying returned premium. The policy notice states that the New Hampshire Guaranty Association will not be liable for surplus-lines policies; placement ordinarily requires proof that admitted coverage cannot be obtained.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy Builders Risk in New Hampshire
- Is any construction, excavation, or filling within a protected shoreland, and does the project qualify for permit by notification?
- Does the project require an alteration-of-terrain permit with fill in a 100-year floodplain, a bridge or culvert, or more than 0.5 acre-feet of fill?
- Do the quote's scheduled locations, values, flood and water terms, materials storage, and completion date match the permitted construction plan?
Builders Risk Insurance in New Hampshire: Frequently Asked Questions
Can some New Hampshire shoreland projects use permit by notification?
Yes. The statute allows the route for projects with no water-quality impact that meet department rules; listed criteria include certain projects under 1,500 square feet with no more than 900 square feet of added impervious area. The agency must first give written notice that the completed notification was accepted. 1
What information is required when a permitted New Hampshire project places fill in a 100-year floodplain?
Env-Wq 1503.09 requires floodplain-boundary and elevation information and compensatory-storage locations and volumes. A bridge or culvert or fill over 0.5 acre-feet triggers additional analysis specified in the rule. 2
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Other coverage in New HampshireEvery coverage guide for New Hampshire, plus the regulator and surplus-lines details.


