Sasria special-risk cover for construction projects and plant

What Sasria special-risk cover is

Sasria SOC Ltd describes itself as a non-life insurer that provides cover for damage caused by special risks. Its published descriptions refer to riots, strikes, public disorder, civil commotion and terrorism, including politically motivated malicious acts. Sasria’s construction pages describe cover for contract works and for construction plant, both owned and hired-in.

The key point for a contractor is that ordinary contract works and plant policies usually exclude these events. That is why a project can be fully insured under a standard policy and still be exposed if, for example, plant is damaged during a protest or unrest.

Who should ask about it

• Civil and building contractors on sites where community protest, labour unrest or public disorder is a real possibility.
• Plant owners and plant hire businesses whose machines are left on remote or unattended sites.
• Contractors whose contract requires it, including contracts where the employer expects special-risk cover to be in place for the works or the plant.
• Contractors who have just been awarded work and are reviewing the full set of insurances the contract demands.

What may be covered, subject to Sasria’s wording

Contract works

Sasria’s construction pages describe cover for physical loss or damage to works in progress on a site, including structures under construction, temporary and permanent works, materials on site and site infrastructure within the contract scope.

Construction plant

Cover for owned plant such as earthmoving machines, cranes, loaders, rollers and graders, and for hired-in plant on daily, weekly or monthly hire.

Road-registered mobile plant

Sasria’s construction page notes that mobile plant vehicles registered for public roads fall under its separate motor cover rather than the construction plant product. Tell us whether any of your machines travel on public roads.

Attaching to an underlying policy

Special-risk cover is generally arranged through insurers and intermediaries rather than bought directly by a contractor, and it normally relates to an underlying policy. The current position should be confirmed for your account.

Important limitations and questions to discuss

Scope of the risks

Special-risk cover applies to the perils defined in Sasria’s wording. It is not a substitute for the rest of your insurance programme.

Injury and loss of life

Special-risk property cover is concerned with damage to assets. Ask how injury to people is dealt with, because that is handled through other arrangements.

Geographic scope

Sasria is a South African insurer and its cover is for assets in South Africa. Plant working across the border needs separate consideration.

Consequential and business loss

Ask what is and is not included, for example loss of income, extra costs or delay costs arising from an insured event.

Contract requirements

Some contracts state who must arrange special-risk cover and for what value. Check the insurance clauses and contract data before assuming either party has it.

Sums insured and limits

The sums insured under the special-risk cover should align with the sums insured on the underlying policy. A mismatch can leave a gap.

Questions to ask before relying on special-risk cover

Information we usually need for a quotation

We usually ask the same questions as for the underlying cover, plus a few that relate specifically to special risks.

You do not need everything on day one. A short description of the work is enough to start, and the quote form only asks for the details relevant to your enquiry.