Until a project is finished and occupied, no permanent property policy covers it. Builder’s risk fills that gap — protecting the structure, the materials, and the labor invested through the riskiest stage of a building’s life. In Florida, that stage overlaps with hurricane season, June through November.
What builder’s risk covers
- The structure itself while under construction.
- Materials and supplies on site, in transit, or in storage.
- Soft costs — lost interest, permit fees, and extra expense from a covered delay.
- Named-storm and wind coverage, where it’s included and properly limited.
Timing is everything
Carriers tighten or pull wind coverage the moment a storm enters the forecast — you can’t buy umbrella protection once it’s raining. The contractors who stay covered set their builder’s risk terms, including the named-storm deductible and any wind sublimits, before the season opens.
The 2026 picture
There’s some good news heading into 2026: reinsurance costs fell roughly 15–20% at January renewals after a storm-free 2025 season, which is improving property capacity across Florida. That makes this a smart year to review terms — but capacity can vanish in a single active season, so don’t wait.
Talk it through with a real advisor
Every business is different. Tell us about yours and we’ll tell you exactly where you stand — no pressure, no jargon.
Figures cited reflect 2025–2026 conditions from sources such as FSLSO, Florida OIR, and NCCI and may change. This is general information, not legal, tax, or coverage advice.