Mass timber projects—once considered niche—are rapidly entering the mainstream as owners and contractors pursue lower-carbon, lower-weight and architecturally innovative building solutions. Yet as adoption accelerates, the construction insurance market is showing significant hesitancy. Carriers are wrestling with unfamiliar loss scenarios, questions around long-term durability, uncertainty in modeling fire behavior, and concerns about water damage, workmanship variance and supply chain quality. The result: many owners and developers encounter higher premiums, reduced capacity, restrictive terms, or outright declinations for builder’s risk, property, liability and professional indemnity cover. These market constraints challenge the industry’s ability to scale mass timber safely and sustainably.

This panel brings together insurers, brokers, engineers and major project owners for a candid discussion about the widening gap between construction ambition and insurance appetite. Through real-world examples and frank debate, panelists will unpack how insurers perceive mass timber risks, where current coverage structures fall short and what owners must do to secure viable terms. Attendees will learn how rigorous risk management, enhanced quality assurance, advanced fire engineering, data transparency and collaborative early engagement can shift underwriting sentiment.