Markel Canada has launched a dedicated Contractors & Trades sector, giving brokers a single package for contractors, tradespeople and specialist construction-related businesses that would otherwise need several policies from different markets.
The offering, announced October 13, brings together commercial general liability, excess liability and property cover, along with options for contractors’ equipment, tools and installation floaters. Depending on the risk, brokers may also be able to add contractors pollution liability and errors and omissions cover. Business interruption, equipment breakdown and selected coverage extensions are also available.
Markel said the sector draws on its existing environmental liability and P&C underwriting expertise.
The initial appetite covers mechanical, HVAC, plumbing and electrical contractors, along with interior finishing and building envelope trades. Facility maintenance and building services firms are included, as are fire protection and restoration contractors. Markel will also consider specialist equipment installers, environmental and remediation contractors, engineers, and selected non-residential building and infrastructure-related operations.
Markel was clear about the limits. The product is aimed at contractors and trades package business and is not designed as a broad construction project or project-specific solution.
“Contractors and trades businesses face a combination of operational, contractual, environmental and professional exposures that cannot always be addressed effectively through a standard insurance offering,” said Andrew Poulton, Markel Canada’s vice president of sectors.
Poulton said the sector would give brokers a clearer route into Markel and a broader package for suitable risks, underwritten to a defined appetite.
Policyholders will also get access to legal and risk management services through a partnership with ARAG Legal Solutions, including a legal helpline, contract review support, HR assistance and a document centre.
The launch follows a hiring push. In June, Markel appointed Alisha Everett as assistant vice president for contractors, trades and construction services, with Nicholas Doy joining as manager, both in Toronto. At the time, Poulton said the hires would help accelerate profitable growth in the contractors and trades sector.
The sector launch is the latest of several Markel Canada products for brokers this year, including PlayMicro special events cover on its Markel Connect digital platform.
Trades contractors often have exposures that are hard to place through a standard commercial package. A mechanical contractor installing equipment may face pollution exposure from a refrigerant leak, professional liability for design-build work, and property exposure for tools moving between sites. Pulling these into one coordinated placement reduces the number of markets a broker has to approach and the gaps between policies.
The appetite list points to specialist, often small and mid-sized trades with environmental or professional exposures, where Markel’s existing environmental book gives it an advantage. Contractors whose main exposure is general construction or large projects will need to look elsewhere.
