The world of real estate and construction is evolving fast, driven by accelerated build times, modern materials, sustainability demands and complex regulation. To keep pace, we’ve united our Construction, Latent Defects and Real Estate teams in the Global, Corporate & Specialty business to bring together their decades of experience under one aligned strategy. Why? Because clients and brokers alike told us they need decisive, joined-up thinking. And we’ve listened.
No matter the stage – pre-construction, post-completion or long-term asset management – our integrated model helps to ensure the right cover at the right time from a single, trusted partner.
Why we’ve made the change
Historically, construction and real estate insurance have been handled in silos. It’s common for one insurer to cover the build and another to step in post-handover. That model creates complexity – different brokers, processes and risk appetites – with potential for coverage gaps at critical stages. For developers, this fragmentation can be more than frustrating; it can be a roadblock.
Our response is a single, streamlined proposition that delivers a cohesive approach to the entire building lifecycle, from planning to occupation. With the combined expertise of underwriters, claims relationship leads and risk management, our team provides insight that connects decisions over time and keeps momentum moving forward.
“Clients don’t think in insurance silos, and neither should we. By uniting our teams and their wealth of experience, we’re giving clients one clear, consistent approach across the entire property lifecycle – making it easier to insure, manage and futureproof their assets.” Martin Hindell, Head of Real Estate, Aviva GCS
Supporting ESG-aligned innovation
This integrated model is especially powerful in supporting modern, environmentally conscious builds. Take mass timber construction, like cross-laminated timber (CLT). It can cut embodied carbon by nearly 50% compared to steel or concrete1, but it introduces unfamiliar risks that can make insurers nervous when providing capacity.
With Aviva, it’s different. Early engagement with our Construction and Latent Defects teams means developers get upfront guidance, inspection strategies and robust coverage frameworks.
One of the most common questions is: “Will I still be able to get insurance once the project is complete?”. While no insurer can promise exact terms years in advance, our integrated proposition provides the real benefit of continuity. Clients who partner with us for Latent Defects and Construction can be confident that we’ll be there at completion, ready with aligned capacity and a consistent approach.
Our joined-up thinking makes a difference, especially when something unexpected happens.
“Sustainable construction methods like CLT are the future, but insurance has too often been a sticking point. By working with us early, clients get clear guidance, consistent risk management and the confidence that cover will follow through to completion.” Sophie Hitchcock, Head of Construction and Latent Defects, Aviva GCS
Meeting your needs
- Whether a developer is building to sell or a landlord is investing for the long term, they can benefit from a single insurer who can see the whole picture. Our unified approach enables new, more flexible solutions.
- Aviva can now offer whole-account underwriting – assessing risk across the full lifecycle and unlocking greater efficiency, flexibility and clarity for clients and brokers alike.
- We’ve enhanced some key areas in our core policy documentation, so you can, without bespoke broker-negotiated terms, access high-quality, well-structured cover.
- We can support you with tailored captive and co-insurance solutions, particularly those with mature risk management processes.
- And, because we believe in the effectiveness of long-term partnerships, our underwriters can offer five-year agreements to clients with a superior risk management approach.
Future ambition is built on solid foundations
While this marks a significant shift in how we approach real estate and construction insurance, these changes are grounded in years of specialist knowledge and a deep understanding of risk across the entire building lifecycle. Also, it continues an approach built on the bedrock of close collaboration with our broker partners.
Aviva’s ambition is to lead the market by creating clarity from complexity and supporting innovation. Together, we can help to build a more resilient future for the built environment.
1 https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/35996/pdf/