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Home Builder Insurance in Ontario, Canada

Construction & Trade Insurance | Boardwalk Insurance — A Division of Oracle RMS

Home builder insurance is a specialized commercial insurance program for contractors who build new residential homes — covering the structure under construction, your liability to third parties, your tools and equipment, and the subcontractor exposures that come with coordinating a full build. From the foundation pour to final occupancy permit, Boardwalk Insurance helps Ontario home builders access fast quotes from 30+ A-rated Canadian carriers and same-day certificate issuance. Serving all provinces except Quebec.

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What Is Home Builder Insurance?

Home builder insurance is a coordinated package of commercial insurance coverages designed specifically for contractors who construct new residential homes — including custom homes, production builds, spec homes, infill projects, and townhouse developments. It addresses the two fundamentally different categories of risk that new home construction creates: liability to people and property around the build, and physical damage to the structure and materials being built.

These two categories require two distinct policies. Commercial General Liability (CGL) protects against third-party claims — a subcontractor visitor injured on site, a neighbouring property damaged during excavation, a structural defect claim filed by a buyer two years after possession. Builder's Risk insurance protects the physical asset — the home itself, the materials staged on-site, and the work completed to date — against fire, theft, vandalism, weather damage, and other physical perils while construction is underway.

Most home builders in Ontario need both policies simultaneously, and most lenders, land developers, and lot purchase agreements require proof of both before a shovel goes in the ground. A builder who carries only one — liability without Builder's Risk, or Builder's Risk without CGL — has a critical coverage gap that a single claim can expose completely.

Home builder insurance programs also commonly include Tools and Equipment coverage, Commercial Auto, Professional Liability for builders who provide design or specification input, and Umbrella or Excess Liability for builders working under developer requirements or lender mandates that specify higher limits.

The Unique Risk Profile of New Home Construction

New home construction creates a risk profile that differs from most other contracting work in three important ways. First, the dollar values at risk are high — a single-family home under construction in the GTA represents $500,000 to $2,000,000 or more in physical asset value at various stages of completion, all of it exposed to loss before any buyer's insurance or mortgage protection is in place. Second, the timeline of exposure is long — a full build from excavation to occupancy can take 8 to 18 months, during which weather, theft, fire, and third-party incidents can occur at any stage. Third, the post-completion liability window extends years into the future — structural defects, water intrusion, and HVAC failures that emerge after a buyer takes possession can generate warranty claims and completed operations claims long after the builder considers the project closed.

Who Needs Home Builder Insurance in Ontario?

Any business or individual that builds new residential homes in Ontario — whether as a primary business or as an occasional owner-builder — should carry home builder insurance. The following types are the most common:

Custom Home Builders

Custom home builders construct one-off residences on client-owned lots to individualized plans and specifications. The custom build relationship is deeply personal — the client is typically present throughout construction, has strong opinions about quality and progress, and is highly motivated to pursue defect claims post-possession if expectations are not met. Custom home builders face significant completed operations exposure and should ensure their CGL includes strong completed operations coverage with no gaps in the policy timeline.

Production Home Builders and Subdivision Developers

Production builders construct multiple homes simultaneously in planned subdivisions, typically on lots they own or have purchased from a land developer. The insurance program for a production builder is more complex than for a custom builder: Builder's Risk policies may need to cover multiple structures in various stages of completion at once, subcontractor management is critical because dozens of trades cycle through the same subdivision, and lender requirements may specify higher CGL limits or wrap-up programs that cover all trades on a given project.

Spec Home Builders

Spec home builders construct homes on lots they own with the intent to sell upon completion. Unlike custom builders, spec builders bear the full financial risk of the project from land acquisition through sale — there is no committed buyer to finance construction. This means the builder's own financial exposure is maximized: a fire that destroys a nearly-complete spec home while it is listed for sale falls entirely on the builder's Builder's Risk policy, with no buyer's insurance or purchase price to offset the loss.

Infill and Urban Lot Developers

Infill builders construct new homes on single lots within established residential neighbourhoods. This context creates specific risks that production builders in greenfield subdivisions rarely face: proximity to existing occupied structures (adjacent foundation damage, dust and debris claims, vibration from excavation), tight access for equipment, existing utility infrastructure that may be improperly mapped, and neighbours who are present and watching throughout construction. Infill builders should ensure their CGL includes strong property damage coverage for neighbouring structures and consider a Builders' Risk policy that covers adjacent property exposures if required by lot purchase conditions.

General Contractors Managing New Residential Builds

GCs who oversee new home construction — coordinating all trades, managing the schedule, holding the prime contract — carry the highest liability exposure on a residential build. Every subcontractor working under them is an extension of their scope, and a claim arising from any subtrade's work can flow back to the GC as the responsible party. GCs should require Certificates of Insurance from all subcontractors, confirm that coverage limits meet or exceed their own CGL limits, and be named as Additional Insured on each subtrade's policy.

Townhouse and Semi-Detached Home Builders

Builders who construct attached residential units — townhouses, semi-detached homes, back-to-back towns, and stacked towns — face party-wall exposure that single-family builders do not. Damage to one unit under construction — fire, flood, structural settlement — can spread to adjacent units and affect structures that may be at a different stage of completion or already sold and occupied. Insurance programs for attached residential builds should be reviewed carefully for coverage continuity across all units under construction simultaneously.

Owner-Builders

In Ontario, individuals who build their own home without hiring a licensed general contractor may act as their own "owner-builder" under specific conditions defined by the Ontario Building Code. Owner-builders face the same physical risks as professional builders — fire, theft, weather, subcontractor liability — but typically lack the commercial insurance relationships that professional builders maintain. An owner-builder undertaking a significant residential construction project should consult a commercial insurance broker about obtaining Builder's Risk and CGL coverage appropriate to their project.

What Does Home Builder Insurance Cover?

A complete home builder insurance program combines several policies that work together to address the full spectrum of risk a residential construction project creates.

1. Commercial General Liability (CGL)

CGL is the liability foundation of every home builder's insurance program. It protects against third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage arising from your construction operations, your products and materials, and your completed work — including structural defects and water intrusion claims that emerge after a buyer takes possession.

For home builders in Ontario, CGL carries particular importance because of the completed operations exposure inherent in residential construction. A foundation that begins to crack, a roof that fails under its first winter snow load, a water management system that backs up during the first spring thaw — these losses typically emerge after the builder has handed over the keys and moved on to the next project. Completed operations coverage within the CGL responds to these post-possession claims and is one of the most critical components of a home builder's insurance program.

What CGL covers for home builders:

Typical CGL limits for home builders:

2. Builder's Risk Insurance

Builder's Risk is a project-specific property policy that covers the home under construction against physical loss or damage from groundbreaking to substantial completion. It protects the insurable interests of the builder, the landowner, and any lender who has advanced construction financing — all of whom have a financial stake in the structure being built.

Builder's Risk policies for residential construction are typically written on an "all-risks" or "open perils" basis: all causes of physical loss are covered unless a specific exclusion applies. Standard exclusions include earthquake (unless added by endorsement), flood from overland water (unless added), and faulty workmanship itself — though the resulting damage caused by defective work is typically covered.

In Ontario and across Canada, lenders who advance construction draws routinely require Builder's Risk insurance to be in place before releasing funds. Without it, no institutional lender will advance money against a structure under construction, because the lender's security — the partially-completed home — would be uninsured.

What Builder's Risk covers:

Builder's Risk and the construction schedule: A Builder's Risk policy for a residential build is typically priced as a percentage of the completed construction value and runs for the anticipated construction period — commonly 12 to 18 months for a custom or production home. If construction extends beyond the original policy period, the policy must be renewed or extended before expiry. A gap in Builder's Risk coverage — even a single day — leaves the structure exposed during that period, and a lender may suspend construction advances if they discover the policy has lapsed.

Annual Builder's Risk Programs: Builders who construct multiple homes per year typically benefit from an annual Builder's Risk program rather than project-by-project policies. An annual program provides blanket coverage across all projects under construction simultaneously, with reporting requirements for individual project values. This approach is administratively simpler and often more cost-effective than binding individual policies for each build.

3. Tools and Equipment Coverage

Home builders and their site superintendents typically carry significant tool and equipment value — levels, measuring equipment, power tools, ladders, compactors, and small plant — that is exposed to theft and damage on active jobsites. Tools and Equipment coverage (Inland Marine) protects these assets wherever they are: on-site, in a locked vehicle, in a storage container at the property, or in transit.

Residential construction sites are frequent targets for organized theft. Unoccupied framed homes at night are accessible, the materials and tools inside are identifiable and resaleable, and alarm systems are often not yet operational. A single overnight theft from a residential construction site can cost $20,000 to $50,000 in tools, materials, and installed-but-not-yet-enclosed fixtures like bathtubs, windows, and HVAC units.

What tools and equipment coverage covers:

4. Commercial Auto Insurance

Home builders and their site superintendents drive constantly — to and from lots, between suppliers, between multiple active jobsites. Personal auto policies exclude commercial use, meaning any accident that occurs in the course of business activity — driving to a supplier, carrying materials, towing a trailer to the site — can be denied by a personal insurer.

Commercial auto for home builders should cover the builder's primary vehicle(s), any vehicles regularly driven by employees or site supers, and — through non-owned and hired auto endorsements — vehicles rented or borrowed for business use. Builders who operate a fleet of vehicles across multiple jobsites benefit from a fleet policy that consolidates all vehicles under one commercial auto program.

5. Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions)

Professional Liability is relevant for home builders who provide design input, specifications, or construction consulting services as part of their scope. This is most common among custom home builders who participate in the design process, builders who offer turnkey design-build services, and builders who manage the permit application process and make specification decisions on behalf of clients.

CGL explicitly excludes losses arising from professional services. A custom home builder who specifies a foundation waterproofing system that fails, or who makes a load-bearing framing decision that results in a structural defect, faces a professional negligence claim that only an E&O policy covers. Builders who provide any professional advisory services alongside physical construction work should confirm whether their CGL contains a professional services exclusion — most do — and whether Professional Liability insurance is needed to fill that gap.

6. Wrap-Up / Owner-Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIP)

For larger residential builds — subdivision projects, multi-unit townhouse developments, or high-value custom homes — a wrap-up or Owner-Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) consolidates insurance for all contractors and subcontractors on a project under a single policy purchased by the project owner or general contractor. Wrap-up programs eliminate coverage gaps between trades, prevent disputes over which contractor's policy responds to a loss, and often provide higher aggregate limits than the sum of individual contractor policies.

Wrap-up programs are most common on large subdivision projects with dozens of active subcontractors, where certificate management across all trades becomes administratively complex and coverage gaps between subtrade policies create meaningful risk exposure for the GC and project owner.

7. Commercial Umbrella / Excess Liability

A Commercial Umbrella policy provides additional liability limits above the primary CGL and commercial auto. For home builders working under developer agreements or lender requirements that specify $5 million or more in combined liability, an Umbrella is typically the most cost-effective way to reach those limits — substantially cheaper per dollar of coverage than increasing primary CGL limits.

Coverage Requirements by Builder Type

Builder Type CGL Builder's Risk Tools & Equipment Commercial Auto Professional Liability Umbrella
Custom Home Builder Required Required Required Required Recommended Recommended
Production / Subdivision Builder Required Required Required Required Recommended Often Required
Spec Home Builder Required Required Required Required Rarely Recommended
Infill Builder Required Required Required Required Rarely Recommended
Townhouse / Semi Builder Required Required Required Required Recommended Often Required
GC — New Residential Required Required Required Required Recommended Often Required
Owner-Builder Required Required Optional Optional Rarely Rarely

Builder's Risk vs. Homeowner's Insurance: A Critical Distinction

This distinction matters enormously, and a surprising number of builders — particularly those new to spec building or infill construction — get it wrong.

A standard homeowner's insurance policy is written for a completed, occupied dwelling. It covers the home against fire, theft, and weather as a finished structure with permanent systems in place. It is not designed to cover a building under active construction, and most homeowner's policies contain explicit exclusions for property in the course of construction or substantial renovation.

Builder's Risk insurance is specifically designed to cover the gap between the start of construction and the moment the completed home transitions to a homeowner's policy. During active construction, the structure is exposed to perils that a homeowner's policy does not anticipate — rain entering through unenclosed openings, theft of materials before installation, fire from hot work or temporary heating, and collapse of partially-complete structural elements.

The practical consequence: a home builder who relies on the future buyer's homeowner's policy — or who assumes the buyer's lender's insurance will cover the structure during construction — has no coverage for physical loss during the build. If a fire destroys a partially-framed home, the Builder's Risk policy is the only protection available. Without it, the builder absorbs the full cost of the loss.

Tarion Warranty Obligations and Insurance

In Ontario, builders who sell new homes to consumers are required to be registered with Tarion (formerly the Ontario New Home Warranty Program) under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. Tarion registration requires builders to provide statutory warranties to buyers: one year on materials and workmanship, two years on plumbing, heating, and electrical delivery systems and the building envelope, and seven years on major structural defects.

Tarion warranties are not the same as insurance. Tarion provides a backstop if a registered builder becomes insolvent and cannot fulfill warranty obligations — it does not insure the builder's liability for warranty claims while the builder is solvent and operating. A CGL policy with robust completed operations coverage is what protects a home builder against the cost of defending and resolving warranty claims during the active life of the business. Builders who allow their CGL to lapse after completing a project may find themselves personally exposed when a completed operations or warranty claim arrives years later with no insurance to respond.

Common Home Builder Insurance Claims in Ontario

Fire During the Framing and Rough-In Stage

The framing and rough-in phase — when wood framing is exposed, temporary heating is often in use, and multiple trades are hot-working simultaneously — is the highest fire-risk period in residential construction. A fire at this stage can destroy months of work and hundreds of thousands of dollars in materials in a matter of hours. Builder's Risk insurance is what makes the difference between rebuilding and financial ruin.

Example: A temporary heating unit malfunctions overnight in a nearly-framed custom home in Oakville. The fire spreads through the exposed framing before it is discovered, causing $340,000 in structural damage. The project's Builder's Risk policy covers reconstruction costs and soft costs associated with the eight-week delay.

Coverage responds: Builder's Risk Insurance

Weather Damage Before Building Envelope Completion

In Ontario's climate, partially-complete structures are vulnerable to weather throughout the construction season. Rain entering through unroofed structures soaks subfloors and framing. Ice loading on partial roof systems causes structural deflection. Freeze-thaw cycles heave foundation walls before they are backfilled. Builders who construct through winter or who experience unexpected weather events before the building envelope is complete face significant weather-related property exposure.

Example: A production home in Brampton has its roof framing complete but no sheathing installed when an early October rainstorm dumps 80mm of rain over 24 hours. Subfloor panels swell and delaminate, framing lumber absorbs moisture requiring replacement, and insulation scheduled for installation that week is destroyed. Total loss: $47,000. Builder's Risk covers the claim.

Coverage responds: Builder's Risk Insurance

Theft of Materials and Installed Fixtures

Active residential construction sites are targeted for theft of copper, electrical panels, HVAC equipment, plumbing fixtures, windows, doors, and appliances — often by organized groups who surveil neighbourhoods for construction activity. Materials theft is one of the most frequent Builder's Risk claims in Ontario, particularly in the GTA where construction density is high and overnight site security is typically minimal.

Example: A spec home in Mississauga is broken into during a long weekend. Thieves remove all copper plumbing, the electrical panel, a staged HVAC unit, and a pre-delivered appliance package. Total theft loss: $41,000. The builder's Builder's Risk policy responds to materials theft and the tools and equipment policy responds to stolen staging equipment.

Coverage responds: Builder's Risk Insurance (materials), Tools and Equipment Coverage (staging equipment)

Excavation Damage to Neighbouring Property

Infill construction and lot development in established urban and suburban neighbourhoods requires excavation in close proximity to existing occupied structures. Excavation for basements, foundation footings, and underground services can destabilize adjacent foundations, crack party walls, and damage landscaping, driveways, and underground utilities. These claims are expensive and frequently disputed, making CGL coverage with adequate limits essential for any builder working in tight urban lots.

Example: Foundation excavation for an infill build in Toronto destabilizes the sandy soil beneath the footings of the adjacent 1940s-era home. The neighbouring foundation settles unevenly, cracking interior plaster throughout the main floor. Structural stabilization and cosmetic repair costs total $145,000. The builder's CGL responds to the property damage claim.

Coverage responds: Commercial General Liability (CGL)

Visitor and Subcontractor Injury on the Active Jobsite

Construction sites are high-injury environments. Subcontractors, suppliers, municipal inspectors, potential buyers visiting the site, and the builder's own employees all share a space filled with trip hazards, open excavations, stacked materials, and operating equipment. A serious injury to any non-employee visitor becomes a CGL claim. A serious injury to an employee becomes a WSIB matter. Either way, the builder needs to understand which insurance responds and confirm they are adequately covered.

Example: A prospective buyer visits an active residential build site in Vaughan without the builder's supervision. They trip over a lumber pile in an unfinished basement stairwell and sustain a fractured knee, requiring surgery. The resulting liability claim, including medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering, totals $88,000. The builder's CGL responds.

Coverage responds: Commercial General Liability (CGL)

Structural Defect Claims After Possession

Post-possession structural defect claims are one of the most financially significant risks home builders face — and one of the most commonly misunderstood. Buyers who discover foundation cracking, framing movement, envelope failures, or water intrusion after moving in will pursue the builder for repair costs, remediation costs, and — in severe cases — diminution of value and relocation expenses. These claims arrive long after the builder considers the project closed and may not be contemplated when choosing insurance limits.

Example: A buyer in Hamilton takes possession of a new home in March. The following November, they notice horizontal cracking in the poured concrete foundation wall and evidence of water seepage in the utility room. An engineer determines the foundation was inadequately reinforced for the soil conditions. Remediation costs — including excavation, waterproofing, and interior finishing repair — total $92,000. The builder's CGL completed operations coverage responds; the Tarion warranty provides an additional backstop for any amounts not recovered through insurance.

Coverage responds: Commercial General Liability (CGL) — Completed Operations

Subcontractor-Caused Losses Flowing Back to the Builder

A home builder who coordinates multiple subcontractors bears the risk that any subtrade's negligence can generate a claim that flows back to the GC as the responsible prime contractor. This is particularly acute when a subcontractor is uninsured or underinsured. The builder's CGL may be called upon to respond to losses caused by a subtrade, even if the subcontract agreement assigns that liability to the subtrade.

Example: A plumbing subcontractor on a new build in Kitchener fails to pressure-test supply lines before drywall is installed. Six months after possession, a pinhole leak behind the kitchen cabinets causes $38,000 in water damage to cabinets, flooring, and the ceiling of the lower level. The plumber carries only $500,000 in CGL and the claim exceeds their limit. The builder's CGL is pursued for the balance.

Coverage responds: Builder's CGL — Completed Operations (with right of recovery against the plumbing subcontractor)

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Builder Insurance in Ontario

What insurance does a home builder need in Ontario?

A home builder in Ontario typically needs Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance at a minimum of $2 million per occurrence, plus a Builder's Risk policy for each home under construction. Builders who use a vehicle for work need Commercial Auto insurance. Builders who carry their own tools and equipment need Tools and Equipment coverage. Builders who provide design input or specification services need Professional Liability (E&O). Larger production builders, subdivision developers, and builders working under developer agreements may also need a Commercial Umbrella policy to reach required limits of $5 million or more.

Is Builder's Risk insurance required by Ontario lenders?

Yes, in practice. Virtually every institutional lender — chartered bank, credit union, or mortgage company — that advances construction financing on a new residential build in Ontario requires Builder's Risk insurance to be in place before releasing the first construction draw. Lenders are secured creditors whose collateral is the structure being built. An uninsured construction fire or storm loss destroys their collateral, so they require Builder's Risk as a condition of the loan advance. Many lot purchase agreements and developer contracts also require Builder's Risk independently of any lender requirement.

What is the difference between Builder's Risk and a homeowner's insurance policy?

A homeowner's insurance policy covers a completed, occupied dwelling against fire, theft, weather, and liability as a finished structure. It is not designed to cover a building under active construction and typically contains explicit exclusions for property in the course of construction. Builder's Risk insurance is specifically designed to cover the period between the start of construction and the moment the completed home transitions to a homeowner's policy. During construction, Builder's Risk covers the structure, materials, and work in progress against the perils specific to the construction phase — temporary heating fires, rain ingress through unenclosed openings, theft of materials, and collapse during construction.

How much does home builder insurance cost in Ontario?

CGL for a home builder typically costs $2,000 to $6,000 or more per year depending on annual revenue, number of homes built, average project values, and subcontractor use. Builder's Risk is priced per project as a percentage of the completed construction value — typically 0.5% to 1.5% of project value for standard residential construction, though rates vary by insurer, project type, and construction schedule. A home with a $700,000 construction value might carry a Builder's Risk premium of $3,500 to $10,500 depending on risk factors. Builders who construct multiple homes per year often benefit from an annual Builder's Risk program with blended per-project rates that are more cost-effective than individual project policies.

Does completed operations coverage protect home builders from Tarion warranty claims?

Completed operations coverage within the CGL policy is the primary insurance protection a home builder has against post-possession defect and warranty claims. Tarion is not an insurance policy for the builder — it is a consumer protection fund that provides buyers with a backstop if a registered builder cannot or will not fulfill warranty obligations. A solvent builder who receives a Tarion-backed warranty claim from a buyer must respond and fund any valid repairs out of their own resources, with their CGL completed operations coverage providing the insurance layer. Builders who allow their CGL to lapse after completing a project lose completed operations protection and may face warranty claims with no insurance backstop.

Do I need insurance for a spec home I'm building to sell?

Yes. A spec home builder bears the full financial risk of the project from start to sale. There is no buyer to fund the construction, and there is no buyer's insurance to protect the structure during the build. If a fire destroys a nearly-complete spec home before sale, the entire loss falls on the builder's Builder's Risk policy. The future buyer's homeowner's policy does not attach until possession is taken. Additionally, the builder's CGL covers liability to third parties — injuries on the active site, damage to neighbouring properties — throughout construction. Spec builders who carry Builder's Risk and CGL are protected throughout the project; those who carry only one have a coverage gap that a single claim will expose.

What subcontractor insurance requirements should home builders impose?

Best practice for home builders in Ontario is to require all subcontractors to provide, before starting work: a Certificate of Insurance (ACORD 25) confirming active CGL coverage with limits of at least $2 million per occurrence; the builder named as an Additional Insured on the subtrade's CGL; confirmation of WSIB coverage or exemption documentation; and commercial auto coverage for any vehicle driven to the site. Builders who coordinate larger subdivision projects or who use the same subtrades repeatedly should establish a subcontractor prequalification process that verifies insurance on file before each new project. Gaps in subcontractor coverage create direct exposure for the builder as the prime contractor.

What is a wrap-up insurance program and when does a home builder need one?

A wrap-up or Owner-Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) is a single insurance policy that covers the project owner and all contractors and subcontractors working on a specific project. Rather than requiring each subtrade to carry and coordinate their own insurance, the project owner or GC purchases a consolidated program that provides uniform coverage for everyone on the site. Wrap-up programs are most commonly used on subdivision projects with many active subcontractors, large custom homes with complex subcontractor scopes, and townhouse or multi-unit residential builds where coordination of multiple individual policies creates administrative risk. The primary benefits are coverage consistency, elimination of gaps between subtrade policies, and simplified certificate management.

How long does Builder's Risk insurance last?

A project-specific Builder's Risk policy runs from the start of construction to the earlier of: the date the home is sold and possession transfers to the buyer; the date the home is occupied (if the builder retains ownership after completion); the completion date specified in the policy; or the policy expiry date. Policies are typically written for 12 to 18 months for standard residential construction. If construction extends beyond the original policy period, the policy must be renewed or extended before it lapses — a lender will typically require evidence of renewal before advancing additional construction draws on an extended timeline. Annual Builder's Risk programs eliminate this per-project renewal requirement for builders who maintain multiple concurrent projects.

Can I get same-day Builder's Risk and CGL certificates for a new project?

Yes. Boardwalk Insurance issues Certificates of Insurance the same business day for active policyholders — including lender Additional Insured endorsements, Waiver of Subrogation, and any other endorsements specified in your lot purchase agreement or lender's conditions. For new clients, most quotes are returned within one business day and coverage can be bound immediately, with certificates issued the same day. If you have a lender draw request pending or a lot possession date approaching, contact us directly at +1-416-477-9771 to discuss urgent timelines.

Why Home Builders Choose Boardwalk Insurance

Boardwalk Insurance is a RIBO-registered commercial insurance broker and a division of Oracle RMS. We specialize in contractor and construction insurance, with direct experience placing coverage for custom home builders, production builders, spec builders, and infill developers across Ontario and nationally. We access 30+ A-rated Canadian carriers — including Intact, Aviva, Economical, Northbridge, Chubb, Travelers, CNA, and Gore Mutual.

Advisors Who Understand Residential Construction Risk

You work directly with licensed Ontario brokers who understand the risk profile of new home construction — the interaction between CGL completed operations and Tarion, the difference between project-specific and annual Builder's Risk programs, and what lenders and lot purchase agreements actually require in a Certificate of Insurance. No generalists, no call centres.

Annual Builder's Risk Programs for Volume Builders

Builders who construct multiple homes per year benefit from annual Builder's Risk programs that provide blanket coverage across all active projects without per-project policy administration. We structure these programs based on your annual construction volume and project profiles and can accommodate builders with multiple concurrent builds at various stages of completion.

Same-Day Certificates for Lenders and Lot Owners

We issue contract-ready Certificates of Insurance the same business day — including lender Additional Insured endorsements, Waiver of Subrogation, and Primary and Non-Contributory wording. Builders who need to satisfy lender conditions or lot purchase insurance requirements quickly will not wait days for paperwork from Boardwalk Insurance.

Competitive Pricing Across 30+ Carriers

We compare your submission across more than 30 A-rated Canadian carriers to find the best pricing for your specific builder profile — custom, production, spec, or infill. Our carrier relationships regularly produce pricing that builders cannot obtain by approaching insurers directly.

Claims Advocacy

When a claim arises — a fire on an active build, a theft, a post-possession defect claim — our team advocates on your behalf from first notice of loss through settlement. We ensure your insurer meets its obligations and that your claim is resolved efficiently.

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Where We Serve Home Builders

Boardwalk Insurance is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario — one of the most active new home construction markets in Canada — and serves residential builders across the GTA, Southern Ontario, and all Canadian provinces except Quebec.

Ontario Markets We Serve

Toronto | Mississauga | Vaughan | Oakville | Hamilton | Kitchener | Brampton | Markham | Richmond Hill | Burlington | Guelph | London | Ottawa | Windsor | Sudbury | Thunder Bay

National Coverage

We also serve home builders in Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton), British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria), Manitoba (Winnipeg), Saskatchewan (Regina, Saskatoon), Nova Scotia (Halifax), Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John's), and New Brunswick. Coverage is available in all Canadian provinces and territories except the Province of Quebec.

Get a Home Builder Insurance Quote Today

Whether you build one custom home per year or manage a production subdivision, Boardwalk Insurance builds coverage programs that protect your projects from groundbreaking to final possession, satisfy your lender and lot owner requirements, and keep your business financially protected for years after the last key is handed over.

We compare quotes from 30+ A-rated Canadian carriers with no obligation, and most builders receive a quote within one business day.

Speak with a licensed home builder insurance advisor at +1-416-477-9771 or email sales@myboardwalk.ca. Our office is at 10 Great Gulf Dr, Suite 202, Vaughan, ON L4K 0K7. Business hours are Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM EST.

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