Liability Cover for Development Sites Awaiting Approval
While a site sits waiting for approval or finance, vacant land liability covers your public liability. Once excavation, demolition or construction begins, you need contract works and construction liability instead.
Who it's for
Developers and builders holding sites, including land listed for sale.
Common claim scenarios
The policy covers claims you're legally liable for, up to your limit. These examples are illustrative, and whether a claim is paid depends on the facts and the policy wording.
A trespasser on a known shortcut
Locals use your site as a shortcut while it waits for approval. Someone slips on a stockpile of fill and is injured.
How cover responds: You can be liable to a trespasser whose presence was reasonably foreseeable, such as someone using a regular shortcut. If you are, the policy pays the compensation, with legal defence costs on top of your limit.
Storm damage next door
A large tree on your holding site falls across the boundary in a storm and damages a neighbour's car.
How cover responds: Damage to the neighbour's car is covered if you're legally liable.
Demolition begins
Your contractor starts demolishing an old house on the site, and debris damages the house next door.
How cover responds: Not covered. Demolition is excluded. Arrange separate cover before any demolition or site works begin.
Watch for
Demolition of an existing building is excluded. Arrange separate cover before any demolition.
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