Contractors ask me one question more than any other:
“What do you need from me to get a fast renovation insurance submission?”
Good news — it’s not complicated.
A clean renovation insurance submission includes eight simple pieces of information. Get these right, and your quote comes back same day in most cases. Leave them out, and you end up stuck in the back-and-forth loop that slows down lenders, owners, and your project timeline.
This guide is written specifically for contractors in Canada (outside Quebec) who take on residential and small commercial renovation work.
Why Renovation Insurance Submissions Get Delayed
Before we get into the checklist, here are the top reasons a renovation insurance submission stalls:
- Missing project value
- Missing building value
- No timeline
- Unclear scope of work
- Property is vacant (but wasn’t mentioned)
- No photos
- Unsure who’s named on the policy
- No details on security or site access
Underwriters aren’t trying to be difficult — we just need a clear picture of the risk.
The faster you provide it, the faster we quote it.
The Contractor’s 8-Point Renovation Insurance Submission Checklist
Below is exactly what you should send me or any underwriter.
1. Property Address
Full civic address, including postal code.
This determines:
- Rating territory
- Local fire protection
- Nearest hydrant
- Crime statistics
- Environmental exposures
Simple but essential.
2. Building Value (Before Renovation)
Most contractors skip this — don’t.
Building value determines the Coverage A limit.
Even if the owner has an appraisal, a ballpark number (e.g., $650K) is enough for quoting.
Why it matters:
Renovation insurance protects the existing structure, not just the reno costs.
3. Renovation Budget (Project Cost)
This includes:
- Labour
- Materials
- Structural changes
- Mechanical upgrades
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Fixtures and finishes
Reno cost determines:
- Total insured value
- Premium
- Whether we need additional underwriting questions
If the owner gives you stages (e.g., demo, framing, MEP, finishes), summarize them in one number.
4. What’s Being Done (Scope of Work)
Keep it tight — 5–7 lines is perfect.
Example:
- Interior gut down to studs
- New wiring + updated 200-amp service
- Structural beam replacement
- Plumbing update
- Full kitchen + two bathrooms
- New windows + flooring
Underwriters don’t need design PDFs — just a clear summary of the risk.
5. Timeline (Start + Expected Completion)
For renovation insurance, we need:
- Start date
- Estimated duration
- Whether the job might run long
Policies run in 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 12-month terms, and can extend to 18 months.
If your trades are booked out or supply chain delays are likely, say so up front.
6. Occupancy During Renovation
One of the biggest rating factors.
Is the property:
- Vacant?
- Owner-occupied during reno?
- Temporarily vacated?
- Tenant-occupied?
Vacancy increases risk for theft, vandalism, and water damage — so we rate it accordingly. Not a deal-breaker — just a factor.
7. Security and Site Access
Underwriters want to know:
- Who has access
- Whether locks were changed
- Temporary fencing
- Lighting
- Cameras
- Material stored inside or outside
This helps evaluate risks such as:
- Theft of building materials
- Vandalism
- Premises liability
You don’t need an essay — two sentences are enough.
8. Who Will Be on the Policy
Clarify this early.
Options:
- Owner purchases the policy and names contractor
- Contractor purchases the policy and names the owner
- GC purchases and names subs
- Commercial tenant purchases the policy
Getting this wrong creates:
- Incorrect COIs
- Delayed draws
- Missing additional insureds
- Coverage gaps
State it clearly from the start.
Optional but Helpful Add-Ons
Not required, but they speed things up:
- Photos (interior and exterior)
- Floor plan or agent listing
- Any lender conditions
- Any prior claims
- Heating type
Photos of the current structure often result in more accurate — and sometimes cheaper — quotes.
What Happens After You Submit
Here’s what happens on our side:
- We confirm eligibility (residential or small commercial).
- We run the risk through renovation-focused markets.
- We determine limits, premiums, and conditions.
- You receive a clean quote package.
- We issue COIs for the owner and lender.
- Coverage begins once payment is confirmed.
For straightforward jobs, same-day response is typical.
Common Contractor Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending only the reno cost — we still need the building value.
- Leaving out the occupancy — vacancy matters.
- No timeline — “we start when ready” slows approvals.
- Not knowing who should be named — set this before emailing.
- Overcomplicating the scope — be precise, not verbose.
Why a Clean Submission Matters
A complete submission gets you:
- Faster lender approvals
- Faster job starts
- Fewer underwriting questions
- Cleaner COIs
- More predictable timelines
- Less exposure if something goes wrong
When you give us the right info up front, we can get your project moving quickly.
See What a Clean Submission Looks Like
If you want to compare your next project against a clean, complete submission, you can review our renovation insurance setup here:
👉 Renovation Insurance for Canadian Contractors
If you prefer a direct review, you can email your project outline to me, and our underwriting team will confirm exactly what’s missing or whether your file is ready for quoting.
