Spring Construction Season: Insurance Preparation Checklist

As winter thaws and Bergen County construction projects ramp up, it's crucial to ensure your insurance coverage is ready for the busy season ahead. From April through October, construction activity peaks, bringing both opportunities and increased risks. This comprehensive checklist will help you prepare your insurance program for a successful and protected spring season.

Why Spring Insurance Reviews Matter

Spring brings unique challenges to Bergen County construction sites:

Increased Activity: More projects mean more exposure to claims
New Equipment: Spring purchases need proper coverage
Seasonal Workers: Temporary staff affects workers' comp
Weather Transitions: Rain and storms create new hazards
Contract Requirements: New projects may have different insurance needs

Critical Spring Risks

According to our claims data, 40% of annual construction claims occur between April and June, with water damage and new employee injuries leading the statistics.

The Complete Spring Insurance Checklist

1. Policy Review and Updates

Verify Coverage Dates: Ensure all policies are current with no gaps
Update Revenue Projections: Spring work may exceed estimates
Review Coverage Limits: Ensure limits match current project sizes
Check Additional Insureds: Add new GCs or property owners as needed

2. Equipment and Tools Coverage

Spring often means new equipment purchases. Ensure your tools and equipment coverage includes:

Newly purchased or leased equipment
Seasonal equipment brought out of storage
Increased values for existing equipment
Rental equipment coverage for busy periods

3. Workers' Compensation Preparation

With hiring ramping up, your workers' compensation needs attention:

Seasonal Hiring Alert

Update payroll estimates for seasonal workers
Verify all new hires are properly classified
Implement safety orientation for new employees
Document all safety training completion

4. Vehicle and Fleet Updates

Spring construction means more vehicles on the road. Review your commercial auto coverage:

Add new vehicles purchased over winter
Update driver lists with new employees
Verify hired and non-owned auto coverage
Check that all drivers have valid licenses

5. Contract Insurance Requirements

Spring brings new contracts with varying insurance requirements:

Contract Review Checklist:

Required liability limits (often $2M+ in Bergen County)
Additional insured requirements and wording
Waiver of subrogation needs
Primary and non-contributory language

Spring Safety Initiatives That Reduce Premiums

Implementing these safety measures can reduce both claims and premiums:

Toolbox Talks Schedule

• Week 1: Ladder safety refresher
• Week 2: Spring weather hazards
• Week 3: New equipment training
• Week 4: Heat illness prevention

Documentation Requirements

• Safety meeting attendance
• Equipment inspection logs
• Incident reports (even near-misses)
• Training certifications

Bergen County Specific Considerations

Our region has unique spring challenges:

April Showers: Increased water damage risk requires proper tarping and drainage
Municipal Permits: Many towns update requirements in spring
Traffic Patterns: School zones become active again, affecting Paramus and Ridgewood projects
Environmental Concerns: Nesting season restrictions in some areas

Your Spring Insurance Action Plan

30-Day Implementation Timeline

Week 1: Assessment

Review all current policies, identify gaps, list new equipment

Week 2: Updates

Submit changes to insurance agent, add vehicles/equipment

Week 3: Safety Implementation

Launch spring safety program, train new employees

Week 4: Documentation

Ensure all certificates are updated, contracts reviewed

Free Spring Insurance Review

Don't let inadequate insurance coverage slow down your spring season. Midland Associates offers complimentary spring insurance reviews for Bergen County contractors. We'll:

Analyze your current coverage for spring risks
Identify potential gaps or savings opportunities
Ensure compliance with new contract requirements
Provide competitive quotes if changes are needed

Schedule Your Spring Insurance Review

Get ahead of the busy season with a comprehensive insurance checkup

Get Free Review (201) 812-2184