Zurich Review

About Zurich

Zurich is a global insurance powerhouse (founded 1872, AM Best A+ Superior) with one of the deepest construction-insurance practices in the market — and it sits at the opposite end of the spectrum from the small-business carriers in this directory. With 25+ years of dedicated North American contractor and specialty-trade underwriting, Zurich is built for large and complex construction: it supports a fronted Master Builders Risk program backing $80B+ in insurable values and writes programs for projects exceeding $250 million.

For large contractors, GCs, and specialty trades on major commercial projects, Zurich's coverage breadth is the draw: general liability, workers' comp, commercial auto, contractor pollution liability, professional indemnity, builder's risk, surety bonds, and the wrap-up and risk-transfer structures big construction requires — OCIP/CCIP (owner- and contractor-controlled insurance programs) and Subcontractor Default Insurance (SDI). These are sophisticated, project-scale products that small-business carriers simply don't offer.

The flip side is fit: Zurich is for the big leagues. It is broker-placed for large, complex risks, not a self-serve small-business carrier — a one-truck HVAC shop or small artisan contractor is far below its target and should use a small-commercial carrier (GUARD, biBERK, Huckleberry) or broker instead. Zurich earns its place here as the carrier a large GC or specialty contractor turns to (through a broker) for builder's risk, wrap-ups, surety, and SDI on major projects.

For a large construction operation or specialty-trade contractor working on sizable commercial projects that needs builder's risk, OCIP/CCIP, surety, or subcontractor-default coverage from a financially-powerful global carrier, Zurich is a top-tier choice — accessed through a construction-savvy broker. Small and mid-size trades shops should look to the small-commercial carriers and brokers covered elsewhere in this directory.