Builders Risk vs. an Installation Floater: What’s the Difference?

Compare the forms for transit, storage, and installation so materials stay covered as they move onto the project.

Builders risk covers specified property for a construction project; an installation floater may cover property being installed, but the names alone do not show whether either policy covers your materials or parties. Compare their limits for property in transit, storage, and installation, then resolve any gaps or overlap with the broker.

The practical question is where each policy’s coverage begins and ends. Materials may be at a supplier, in transit, stored temporarily, or waiting for installation. The specimen form extends coverage to some property in transit or temporary storage, but only under its defined terms and limits. Another policy may have different location restrictions.

Compare covered property, named insureds, transit, storage, installation, testing, and the point at which coverage transfers to the completed building policy. Ask the broker to identify and resolve any overlap or gap between the project form and the installation coverage.

Sources

  1. Glossary of Insurance Terms. National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Builders’ Risk Policies. Accessed 2026-09-25.
  2. Builders Risk Coverage Form. Insurance Services Office, Inc.; hosted by Touchpoint Markets; IH 00 70 05 17, copyright 2017 (illustrative specimen): A.1–3, printed pp. 1–2; B, printed pp. 9–11; C–E, printed p. 12. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Updated . Answers describe typical policies, not your coverage; your policy wording decides what is covered. See the editorial policy or contact Spot with a correction and supporting source.

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