Does Builders Risk Cover Demolition?

Builders risk is generally framed around physical damage to covered construction property. Oregon guidance discusses projects involving substantial alterations, while the ISO form’s defective-work and construction exclusions illustrate that not every loss arising during the work is insured. Ask whether the scope includes demolition, debris removal, temporary shoring, and damage to the portion of the building being removed. Check pollution and asbestos exclusions, neighboring-property liability, and whether the policy starts before demolition begins. Separate contractor liability and pollution coverage may address different exposures. The demolition contractor’s general liability policy may be relevant if operations damage a neighbor’s property, while pollution coverage may matter if hazardous material is disturbed. Those policies do not settle whether the building owner’s project property is covered. Check the start date, demolition scope, shoring and debris terms, exclusions for asbestos or pollutants, and whether damage to the specific part being removed is treated differently.