Observed Reality
An injury happens on an active jobsite and multiple parties get pulled into the claim, even when contracts say otherwise.
Why That Happens
Active operations expose workers, visitors, and adjacent property at the same time. Carriers price the overlap risk, not just the contract terms.
Why It Stops Working
Relying on certificates or assuming subs will absorb the loss rarely holds once claims begin. Carriers still view site control as your exposure.
Tradeoffs
Higher limits and broader additional insured language reduce downside but raise premium. Tight controls can lower frequency but take time to show.
Price Levers
- Risk signals: site supervision, incident frequency, and subcontractor oversight.
- Coverage structure: additional insured wording, primary noncontributory terms, and limits.
- Market timing and carrier fit: appetite for jobsite risk by trade and project type.
Deeper context
For the full context, see Construction Claims: Active vs Completed Operations, in Plain English.
Decision Rule
If active-jobsite claims rise, tighten controls before renewal; if stable, review limits and contracts.
Minnesota note: claim patterns and contractor timelines vary by county, so Twin Cities experience isn’t always a perfect proxy for outstate Minnesota.