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First Risk Underwriters
Specialty Area

Commercial buildouts.

When a commercial unit is fitted out, remodeled, or improved, insurance has to match the lease, the contractor stack, and the moment work needs to start. This area is for those parties — separate from franchise location buildouts.

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Overview

What this specialty area covers

Commercial unit buildouts involve tenants, landlords, GCs, and trades — each with different insurance checkpoints. FRU designs programs around those checkpoints so coverage clears the next step instead of stalling it.

  1. 01

    Lease and landlord requirements

    Certificates, limits, and endorsements have to match what the lease and landlord actually require before occupancy or construction can move.

  2. 02

    Contractor mobilization

    GCs and subcontractors need the right CGL, workers’ compensation, auto, umbrella, and builder’s risk in place before notice to proceed.

  3. 03

    After closeout

    Workmanship warranty needs can continue after the buildout policies that covered construction — separate from surety bonds.

Checkpoints

Where insurance shows up in a commercial buildout

These are the moments coverage usually has to clear before the project can continue.

  1. Step 1

    Lease signed

    Tenant insurance requirements appear in the lease — often with additional insured and waiver wording for the landlord.

  2. Step 2

    Contractor award

    GC and trade insurance must meet contract schedules before mobilization or site access.

  3. Step 3

    Start of work

    Builder’s risk and certificates are checked so construction or fit-out can begin.

  4. Step 4

    Occupancy / closeout

    Final certificates and any post-completion warranty needs are cleared so the unit can open or hand off.

Parties

Who this area serves

Each party hits a different insurance blocker. Jump to your role for the problem, how FRU helps, and which program fits.

01

Commercial Tenants

Businesses fitting out leased commercial space who must meet landlord insurance rules and protect the buildout.

Commercial buildout programs →

The blocker

Lease insurance requirements block occupancy or construction start when limits, endorsements, or certificates do not match the landlord’s list.

How FRU helps

Align tenant liability and property coverage to the lease and project — including additional insured and waiver wording landlords typically require.

Where coverage fits

Commercial Tenant Program — general liability, tenant improvements, builder’s risk when the lease requires it, and certificate support.

02

Commercial Landlords

Property owners who need the right coverage on their side — and clear insurance requirements for tenants and contractors on commercial units.

Commercial buildout programs →

The blocker

Unit-level buildouts stall when tenant or contractor certificates fail review — or when the landlord’s own coverage does not match how units are being improved.

How FRU helps

Set clear insurance requirements for tenants and contractors, and place landlord-side coverage that fits multi-unit commercial property operations.

Where coverage fits

Commercial Landlord Program — landlord liability focus, required coverage lists, and certificate/endorsement standards for unit buildouts.

03

General Contractors

Contractors running commercial unit buildouts who need insurance in place before work starts.

Commercial buildout programs →

The blocker

Notice to proceed waits when CGL, workers’ compensation, auto, umbrella, or builder’s risk is missing, short, or not endorsed for the job.

How FRU helps

Package the core contractor coverages needed to mobilize on a commercial unit buildout, including builder’s risk when the contract requires it.

Where coverage fits

Commercial GC Buildout Program — CGL, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, umbrella/excess, builder’s risk, and additional insured / waiver endorsements.

04

Subcontractors

Trade contractors on commercial projects who must meet contract insurance requirements before they can start on site.

Commercial buildout programs →

The blocker

Trade work cannot start until the sub’s certificate matches the GC’s or owner’s required limits and additional insured wording.

How FRU helps

Match general liability, workers’ compensation, auto, and umbrella to the subcontract so the certificate clears site access.

Where coverage fits

Commercial Subcontractor Program — contract-matched GL, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, umbrella where required, and required AI wording.

05

Workmanship Warranties

Coverage focused on warranty risk after commercial buildout work is done. This is not a surety performance bond.

Commercial buildout programs →

The blocker

After closeout, warranty obligations on completed trade work can remain without a clear insurance answer — separate from performance bonds.

How FRU helps

Address post-completion workmanship warranty risk on finished commercial buildout work for contractors and owners who need that protection.

Where coverage fits

Commercial Workmanship Warranty Program — post-completion warranty focus for commercial closeout. Not a surety performance or payment bond.

See the commercial program set

Full program descriptions, who each program serves, and core coverage lines.

Commercial buildout programs

Looking for franchise location buildouts?

View franchise buildouts →
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