Can You Buy One-Month Builders Risk Insurance?
A one-month term is not assured; ask insurers whether they will offer it for your project and check minimum premium, cancellation, and extension terms.
Whether an insurer will write a one-month builders risk policy depends on its product, state, and project details. The California Department of Insurance guide describes a one-year minimum term in its commercial insurance discussion. US Assure’s remodeling instructions, for that program, ask applicants to select a six-, nine-, or twelve-month term. These examples indicate that term availability varies; they do not establish a universal minimum.
A very short project can still run past its expected finish because of inspection, delivery, or scheduling delays. If the policy expires while work or property remains exposed, a new term or approved extension may be needed.
Ask for the written shortest term available, the premium and minimum charge, cancellation calculation, and extension process. Confirm how early completion, occupancy, or acceptance changes coverage, and arrange permanent property insurance before the construction policy ends.
Related Coverage
Sources
- Commercial Insurance Guide. California Department of Insurance; Form 700, revised June 14, 2024: Commercial Property > Coverage Forms and Endorsements > Builder’s Risk; Inland Marine; How Can I Purchase Commercial Insurance?; What Should I Expect from a Broker-Agent? Accessed 2026-09-25.
- 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.
- Builders Risk Application Tip Sheet. US Assure; General policy application tips, p. 1; Remodeling policy application tips, p. 2. Accessed 2026-09-25.
