NYC Department of Buildings Changes General Liability Insurance Requirements
Michael Stoop+3/15/2011 9:20:00 AM
The Department of Buildings issued new rules changing NY Construction General Liability (GL) insurance requirements for construction and/or demolition. The new rule will be effective on June 13, 2011. Evidence of new specific project insurance requirements will be required when pulling the permit at that time. The following factors will determine the insurance requirements:
Tower Crane
If you have a tower crane for your project, you must have a NY Construction Project Specific General Liability insurance of $80 million, regardless of the permit or scope of work.
Scope of Work
You do not need NY Construction Project Specific General Liability insurance if your project is:
- a one or two family home AND
- a depth of excavation less than 12 feet AND
- not on the lot line with an existing structure AND
- the proposed height is less than 35 feet
Your project must meet ALL of the criteria outlined above to be exempt from NY Construction Project Specific General Liability insurance requirements.
If your project does not meet ALL of the criteria above, NY Construction Project Specific General Liability insurance requirements may depend on:
- permit type
- height and number of stories of tallest adjacent building
- height and number of stories of proposed construction
If you have a tower crane for your project, you must have a NY Construction Project Specific General Liability insurance of $80 million, regardless of the permit or scope of work.
Scope of Work
You do not need NY Construction Project Specific General Liability insurance if your project is:
- a one or two family home AND
- a depth of excavation less than 12 feet AND
- not on the lot line with an existing structure AND
- the proposed height is less than 35 feet
Your project must meet ALL of the criteria outlined above to be exempt from NY Construction Project Specific General Liability insurance requirements.
If your project does not meet ALL of the criteria above, NY Construction Project Specific General Liability insurance requirements may depend on:
- permit type
- height and number of stories of tallest adjacent building
- height and number of stories of proposed construction
The following tables determine the amount of NY Construction Project Specific General Liability insurance your project requires
Foundation/Full Demo Permits
| Tallest Adjacent Building | Foundation Permit | Full Demo Permit |
| Less than 7 stories AND Less than 7 stories |
$5M | $5M |
| Between 7 and 14 stories AND Less than 150ft | $10M | $15M |
| Less than or equal to 14 stories AND Between 75 and 150ft | $10M | $15M |
| Greater than 14 Stories OR Greater than or equal to 150ft | $15M | $25M |
New Buildings/Major Alteration
Tallest Adjacent Building |
Proposed Construction | |||
| Less than 7 stories AND Less than 75ft | Between 7-14 stories AND Less than 150ft | Less than or equal to 14 stories AND Between 75-150 ft | Greater than 14 Stories OR Greater than or equal to 150 ft | |
| Less than 7 stories AND Less than 7 stories | $5M | $15M | $15M | $25M |
| Between 7 and 14 stories AND Less than 150ft | $15M | $15M | $15M | $25M |
| Less than or equal to 14 stories AND Between 75 and 150ft | $15M | $15M | $15M | $25M |
| Greater than 14 stories OR Greater than or equal to 150ft | $25M | $25M | $25M | $25M |
To obtain a quotation for NY Construction Project Specific Liability Insurance call (877) 874-2155 to speak to a Risk Advisor. Our phones are staffed 24/7 365 days a year, or you may click here to fill out a simple form. We welcome the opportunity partner with you on your project.
* A Major Alteration is defined as:
1. Alteration permit involving demolition of more then 50% of the floor area of an existing building.
2. Work that will result in the removal of one or more floors of an existing structure
3. Horizontal or Vertical enlargement affecting the exterior envelop of an existing building.
