ROOFING, CLADDING & FAÇADES
One piece of advice that matters most Daniel White’ s advice is simple: start early and seek specialist advice.
While the PI market is softening overall, with rate reductions of around 10 – 15 % forecast for well managed risks, that improvement is far from universal. Firms with cladding exposure, weak documentation or poor claims histories are unlikely to benefit.
As Daniel notes:“ The gap between good risks and difficult risks is widening. Specialist advice can make the difference between securing workable cover and facing exclusions that materially affect a firm’ s ability to operate.”
Contractual obligations should also be reviewed. Many appointments require insurance to be maintained“ on no less onerous terms”. If exclusions widen, particularly around cladding, firms may find themselves technically in breach unless this is addressed proactively with clients.
What contractors should be reviewing
For contractors, simply confirming that consultants“ have PI insurance” is no longer sufficient. The key question is whether that insurance responds to the services being provided.
Consultant appointments need to be genuinely back to back. If a consultant’ s PI now excludes façade or fire related risk, contractors may be retaining liabilities they assumed had been passed down. Collateral warranties issued to funders and purchasers should also be reviewed in this context.
On higher risk schemes, particularly residential towers or façade heavy developments insurance constraints may increasingly influence procurement decisions. Insurance is now part of delivery risk, not just a compliance checkbox.
The wider signal to the industry Wren’ s closure is a signal, not an anomaly. It reflects a broader recalibration of professional risk following Grenfell and ongoing regulatory reform.
Architects once supported by a bespoke, member driven mutual are now operating in a commercial market shaped by tighter underwriting and more defensive policy terms. Until responsibility for building safety failures is more clearly allocated between designers, contractors, manufacturers and building owners, insurers will continue to price cautiously.
For Valcan, and the project teams we work alongside, this reinforces the value of non combustible systems, clearly warranted solutions and accountable design decisions. Grenfell’ s legacy is not only regulatory; it is a fundamental shift in how design risk is understood, insured and managed across the industry.
For more information about Consort Insurance: www. consortinsurance. co. uk
For more information about Valcan’ s products and services: www. valcan. co. uk
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