How are insurance claims or changes in coverage to be handled during construction under A201?

• A. The Owner must supply all insurance coverage; Contractor is exempt.
• B. Insurance claims are handled after project completion only.
• C. Insurance is the Contractor's sole responsibility; no communication required.
• D. Parties notify insurers and coordinate coverage; changes may require amendments to certificates or endorsements.

Answer: (D)

During construction, insurance coverage is a collaborative, ongoing process that requires both parties to stay aligned with the insurer and keep documents current as the project evolves. AIA A201 envisions that any changes in coverage, limits, or who is insured must be coordinated with the insurer so the policy properly reflects the project’s realities. When a change occurs—such as new subs, a shift in scope, or an adjusted risk level—the parties must notify the insurer and secure the appropriate amendments. This often means updating certificates and endorsements to show who is insured, who is additional insured, and the correct limits or waivers of subrogation, ensuring continuous, lawful protection for everyone involved and avoiding gaps in coverage.

If coverage changes aren’t communicated or certificates aren’t updated, coverage can lapse or fail to meet contract requirements, which defeats the risk-management purpose of the insurance provisions. The other approaches imply either one party bears all insurance responsibility, that claims only occur after project completion, or that no communication is needed—none of which align with how A201 structures insurance as a shared, actively managed risk management tool.