Insurance Frequently Asked Questions - Buildings

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Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

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General Liability Insurance

Do I need project specific insurance for each occurrence or aggregate?

As long as the insurance policy is project specific, an aggregate policy is sufficient.

Is an umbrella insurance policy sufficient enough to meet the new general liability insurance requirements?

As long as the insurance policy is project specific, an umbrella policy is sufficient

Can you please clarify Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules – the project specific general liability insurance requirement – subdivision (d)(1)(E)(1)(3)?

Section §101-08 of the Department's Rules, subdivision (d)(1)(E)(1)(3) is clarified in the following way: the words "contractual liability exclusion" may be understood as "an insured contract exception no less favorable to the insured than the latest Insurance Services Office Form CG 00 01."

To what extent will the Department enforce Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules, subdivision (d)(1)(F) (relating to notice of cancellation or termination of general liability insurance policies)?

The Department will not enforce subdivision (d)(1)(F) beyond what is already required under the New York Insurance Law regarding notice of cancellation or termination of General Liability Insurance policies.

Will a stalled construction site be subject to the project specific general liability insurance requirement, Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules?

The Department will not enforce the project specific general liability requirements of Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules if the site is enrolled in the Department's Stalled Sites Program and an adequate CCD1 has been submitted to the Department's Excavation Unit demonstrating that the adjacent property has been protected. Before re-commencing work, evidence of insurance in accordance with the Rule shall be provided to the Department.

Who needs to get the project-specific general liability insurance? Does it have to be the entity that the permit is issued to?

The project-specific general liability insurance, required by Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules, does not need to be purchased by the entity that the permit is issued to. It can be purchased by another entity involved on the project (i.e. the Owner, Developer, General Contractor, etc.), as long as it fully satisfies the requirements of the Rule.

Where do I submit my proof of project specific general liability insurance?

Proof of project specific general liability insurance (which must be a completed PGL1 form and a Certificate of Liability) should be submitted to your borough office permit clerks or permit renewal staff when obtaining a new or renewed permit.

PGL1 Project Specific Insurance

Do I need project specific insurance for each occurrence or aggregate?

As long as the insurance policy is project specific, an aggregate policy is sufficient.

Is an umbrella insurance policy sufficient enough to meet the new general liability insurance requirements?

As long as the insurance policy is project specific, an umbrella policy is sufficient.

Can you please clarify Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules – the project specific general liability insurance requirement – subdivision (d)(1)(E)(1)(3)?

Section §101-08 of the Department's Rules, subdivision (d)(1)(E)(1)(3) is clarified in the following way: the words "contractual liability exclusion" may be understood as "an insured contract exception no less favorable to the insured than the latest Insurance Services Office Form CG 00 01."

To what extent will the Department enforce Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules, subdivision (d)(1)(F) (relating to notice of cancellation or termination of general liability insurance policies)?

The Department will not enforce subdivision (d)(1)(F) beyond what is already required under the New York Insurance Law regarding notice of cancellation or termination of general liability insurance policies.

Will a stalled construction site be subject to the project specific general liability insurance requirement, Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules?

The Department will not enforce the project specific general liability requirements of Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules if the site is enrolled in the Department's Stalled Sites Program and an adequate CCD1 has been submitted to the Department's Excavation Unit demonstrating that the adjacent property has been protected. Before re-commencing work (and as a condition to remove the site from the Department's Stalled Sites Program), evidence of insurance in accordance with the rule shall be provided to the Department.

Who needs to get the project-specific general liability insurance? Does it have to be the entity that the permit is issued to?

The project-specific general liability insurance, required by Section 101-08 of the Department's Rules, does not need to be purchased by the entity that the permit is issued to. It can be purchased by another entity involved on the project (i.e. the owner, developer, general contractor, etc.), as long as it fully satisfies the requirements of the rule.

Where do I submit my proof of project specific general liability insurance?

Proof of project specific general liability insurance (which must be a completed PGL1 form and a Certificate of Liability) should be submitted to your borough office permit clerks or permit renewal staff when obtaining a new or renewed permit.

*NOTE: If you have any additional questions that are not answered in the above information or are still unclear about the project specific General Liability Insurance requirement, please contact the Licensing Unit.*

How do I submit insurance updates and who can do it?

How do I update my insurance information?

Login to DOB NOW at nyc.gov/dobnow, select BIS Options and there will be a new option on the dashboard: +License Insurance Updates. See the License Insurance Updates Quick Reference Guide.

For which License types can I do insurance updates in DOB NOW?

Contractor, Electrician, Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor, Master Plumber, Oil Burner Equipment Installer, Rigger, and Sign Hanger are submitted in DOB NOW: BIS Options. Updates for elevator agency licenses are submitted in DOB NOW: Licensing.

Who can make License Insurance Updates in DOB NOW?

Licensees/registrants need to log into DOB NOW (with the NYC.ID account associated with their license) and submit the insurance updates.

What if my license information does not appear when I select +License Insurance Updates?

Licensees/Registrants need an active NYC.ID account and need to associate their license to their DOB NOW profile. See nyc.gov/dobnowtips.

Can filing representatives, office managers or insurance brokers update the insurance information for licensees/registrants?

No, the licensee/registrant will need to log in and update their own insurance.

Insurance Updates Submissions Process

What do I need to upload if I am only updating the information for one of my insurances?

A document for each insurance type is required to be uploaded each time even if edits were only made to one insurance type as part of the submission.

Do I have to update all types of insurances at the same time?

You can update one at a time, but you have to upload all certificates with each submission.

I have GC, Master Plumber and Fire Suppression licenses under one business. Do I have to enter updates separately for each of the licenses?

Yes, you update each license separately.

Should the start date reflect the latest policy start date given on the latest form provided by our insurance broker or the policy start date overall?

Provide the latest policy start date.

What is the CE-200 form for?

The CE-200 is a Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from NYS Workers’ Compensation and Disability Insurance Coverage form used for waiving Workers' Compensation and Disability insurance for companies that don't have any employees.

Where do we submit the CE-200?

When you select that the workers’ compensation and disability insurances are waived, the CE-200 will be listed as a required document¬ in the Documents section.

Where do I get the Exemption Certificate Number when I select that the insurance is waived?

It is on the CE-200 form.

As a General Contractor or Rigger, can I waive disability and workers’ compensation insurance?

No, GCs and Riggers are required to have all three insurances and cannot submit a CE-200.

Is a notarized Certification of Broker letter required? We currently include that in the certificate packet at renewal?

You only need to upload the new certificate.

Insurance Updates Submitted

Do you need to mail originals to DOB after you upload them in BIS?

No, all documents are uploaded only.

What is the turnaround time on the documents being reviewed, approved and insurances being updated?

The information is updated in real time and reflected in BIS as soon as it is submitted. There will be an audit process for submissions.

If the documents are audited, if there is anything wrong, what are the next steps?

You will receive an email with instructions at that time.

How will I get notification that DOB accepted the insurance?

The information is accepted in real time and a notification will be sent by email to the licensee/registrant at the time of submission. The information will also be available in BIS.

What if I updated the insurance but made a typo?

Another update can be submitted in DOB NOW: BIS Options; the licensee/registrant will be making all changes.

Insurance Updates General Information

Do I have to update my insurance now, even if my insurance is on record and will expire in December 2023?

No, for currently active insurance, action is not needed until it is going to expire. At that time, the new certificate will need to be uploaded before the old certificate expires.

Can I submit an insurance update more than 30 days before the old certificate expires?

There's no restriction. Updates can be submitted as soon as you receive a new certificate.

Can I submit insurance updates if I have outstanding fines related to an OATH summons?

Outstanding OATH penalties only affect license renewals. You will be able to update insurance even if you have OATH debt.