The Construction industry is one of the most difficult to understand in the insurance market. Projects move quickly, exposures shift constantly, and clients expect answers with little time to spare. For insurance brokers, the challenge is finding underwriting support that matches the pace and complexity of the construction sector.
At York Underwriting, we get it.
Construction liability is one of our core focuses, built around real-world sector knowledge. Backed by security you can trust and led by expert underwriters with decades of experience, we provide the clarity, responsiveness and insight that insurance brokers need to deliver for their clients.
If you’re an insurance broker in construction, here’s how we work with you.
Why Construction Liability Needs a Different Approach
No two construction clients look the same. Risk profiles can change depending on the type of work, the subcontractor mix, the head contractor’s history, or even the state in which the project is located. A multi-residential build in Sydney carries very different exposures to a civil project in regional Queensland.
Many businesses operate across several of these areas, which adds layers of complexity. Contract terms, subcontractor arrangements and liability responsibilities often overlap, and the same activity can carry different exposures depending on local legislation and precedent.
We recognise that every trade and project stage brings its own risks. Electrical, scaffolding, concreting and groundworks all require considered advice. Add to this the pressures of labour shortages, rising material costs and tighter deadlines on client proposals, and it becomes clear why construction liability cannot be treated as a standardised placement.
Craig Elliott, Managing Director of York Underwriting, explains:
"Construction liability is not about pushing every risk through a template. It is about understanding the site, the contracts, the trades and the pressures insurance brokers face in communicating this to their clients every day. That is the service model we want to align to and strive to build at York."
At York, we not only have the capacity and coverage to support the diversity of clients in the construction sector, but we also have the experience to understand it.
The Challenges Insurance Brokers Face
Insurance brokers with construction clients consistently tell us about the pressures they face. The deadlines are tight, clients expect clear answers, and the risks often evolve as projects take shape.
Common challenges include:
- Time pressure on client proposals, where quotes are needed within days or even hours.
- Unclear underwriting appetite, leaving insurance brokers uncertain about which risks will be accepted.
- Limited authority on the desk, creating delays when decisions require escalation.
- Policy wordings that do not properly reflect the risk profiles these clients hold
- Leading to contract terms that transfer liability in ways that may not align with what your clients require.
York’s construction offering is designed to tackle these challenges directly.
Our Approach to Construction Liability
Construction insurance broking moves fast, and so should your underwriting partner.
That’s why York’s approach is built around real-world broker needs, shaped by deep sector experience and a clear understanding of how construction risks work in practice.
York Underwriting is led by Craig Elliott, our Managing Director, who has nearly two decades of experience in construction underwriting, spanning residential builds, civil works, and complex infrastructure projects.
His deep understanding of the sector, risks, exposures, and nuances informs how we build our offering and how we back our brokers.
Our underwriting for construction projects is defined by:
- Direct access to expert underwriters – every submission is handled by experienced decision-makers who can assess risk, give answers and move quickly – especially when tenders are tight
- Fast, flexible submissions – we work with your forms or ours, whatever moves things forward quickly.
- Clear appetite, upfront – we provide answers early so you know where you stand. If it doesn’t fit, we’ll tell you why – saving you time and helping you plan.
- Support beyond the quote – from policy issuance, timely certificates and mid-term endorsements through to claims advocacy, we stay engaged.
- Sector-specific expertise – our team understands subcontractor chains, labour hire exposures, contract conditions and state-based variations.
Craig Elliott sums it up:
“Our role is to support insurance brokers with practical insight and straightforward decisions. We are here to provide clarity and confidence and manage any complexity, so you don’t have to.”
At York, we’re open to tailoring insurance solutions – particularly for repeat brokers or complex risks, and because we prioritise relationships, our service only gets stronger the longer we work together.
When Insurance Brokers Need a Hand in Construction, We Show Up
Our approach is proven in the way we support insurance brokers when it matters most. It’s about creating trusted partnerships with Insurance Brokers to help them win and retain more business.
Here are a few real-world examples our team at York has had experience with:
- Cover for a complex subcontractor arrangement – a civil contractor relying on a large labour hire workforce had been declined elsewhere. We were able to work through the risk controls and exposures to provide adequate coverage that allowed the client to continue operating.
- Fast turnaround for a client proposal – an insurance broker required a tailored quote and all policy documentation in less than 24 hours so the client could begin work on site. We delivered a same-day turnaround, allowing the client to honour their contract and the broker to secure the placement.
- Helping win new business – in a competitive pitch, an insurance broker partnered with us for risk insight and responsive underwriting. They secured a new client as a result, and we wish to build a long-term relationship.
Our approach is built around responsiveness and expertise, with a focus on your success.
Construction Liability That’s Built for the Real World
At York, construction liability is one of our core focus areas. We know this sector is shaped by the realities on site – contractor/labour hire arrangements, pseudo-workers compensation exposures and different parties under different contracts, all on the same site, where a variety of risk shifts day to day. These all play a role in determining exposures.
We consider these nuances carefully. We are comfortable with complex risks and open to tailoring solutions that help insurance brokers deliver for their clients.
Just as importantly, we share insights beyond the policy. This might include highlighting contract clauses that could transfer liability unfairly or suggesting practical measures that help clients manage their own risks more efficiently, helping reduce exposures and, in turn, premiums on their insurance policies.
By combining technical understanding with a practical mindset, York Underwriting empowers insurance brokers to engage in stronger client conversations and provide advice with confidence.
How to Work with York Underwriting in Construction
We want to make it easy for insurance brokers to do business with us, offering a straightforward approach and process. Submissions are sent directly to our experienced underwriting team, and they will call you to discuss the details and make a plan on the spot. In most cases, you will receive a response on the same day or by the next business day.
Our team is open-minded and flexible when it comes to risk. If a risk case doesn’t fit the usual boxes, we’re still keen to look at it. Our goal is to thoroughly review every submission with you and provide clear feedback promptly, so you always know where you stand.
Time for a Smarter Underwriting Experience?
Construction liability is complex, but placing cover should not add to that complexity.
If you’re looking for an underwriting agency in Australia that understands construction, responds at your pace and backs you with real-world support, York is ready when you are.
If you have a risk to place, a client deadline approaching, or a proposal you want to strengthen, give us a call. You will speak directly with an experienced underwriter who knows construction liability inside out.
We’re here to help you win more business, deliver better outcomes and raise the bar on what underwriting support should look like.
If you want construction liability done right, let’s talk.
York Underwriting is Built for Brokers and backed by experience.
