If you write contractor business in Connecticut or New Jersey with Liberty Mutual, there’s an important change coming that could affect your clients—and your book of business.
As part of its efforts to manage risk exposure in New York state, Liberty Mutual has announced that it will begin applying a New York construction exclusion to general liability coverage, including package, excess, umbrella and business owner’s policies, issued in Connecticut and New Jersey.
The change will affect Liberty Mutual’s small commercial business and accounts over $100,000 written in the company’s eCLIQ system. The change will not affect Liberty Mutual’s middle market segment and broader Global Risk Solutions (new or renewals).
What’s changing?
Starting later this year and into early 2026, Liberty Mutual will exclude liability coverage for any “construction operations” performed in New York state, even if the policy is issued out of Connecticut or New Jersey. This includes general contracting work and professional services like architecture, engineering or surveying performed in New York state.
The exclusion will not apply to any New York job site that is specifically listed in the policy declarations—but there’s a catch: Liberty Mutual will no longer accept or add any New York-specific job locations going forward.
Key dates to know
New Jersey
- New business: Starting Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
- Renewals: On or around Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
Connecticut
- New business and renewals: Starting Nov. 1, 2025.
Each affected renewal will include a policyholder notification to help explain the change.
What this means for you
For many contractors based in New Jersey or Connecticut, working across the border in New York state is just part of doing business. But once this exclusion is added, those jobs won’t be covered under Liberty Mutual policies unless the project is already listed (and accepted) on the declarations page—and again, no new New York state job sites will be added.
If you have contractor clients who operate in or near New York state, now is the time to review their operations and make sure they understand what’s coming. If they rely on Liberty Mutual for liability coverage, and they have ongoing or future work in New York, they’ll need to explore other options to avoid coverage gaps.
Liberty Mutual has said it’ll provide additional resources, including:
You also can reach out to your territory manager or underwriter with any questions.
Takeaway
This move underscores the need to stay ahead of underwriting changes—especially when they can significantly impact coverage for multistate operations.
Be proactive: review your clients’ upcoming projects, talk through the implications of this exclusion, and help them plan for any necessary changes.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., joined PIA as government affairs counsel for the Government & Industry Affairs Department in 2012 and then, after a four-month leave, he returned to the association in 2018 as director of government & industry affairs responsible for all legal, government relations and insurance industry liaison programs for the five state associations. Prior to PIA, Brad worked as an attorney for Steven J. Baum PC, in Amherst, and as an associate attorney for the law office of James Morris in Buffalo. He also spent time serving as senior manager of government affairs as the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, a chamber of commerce serving the Buffalo, N.Y., region, his hometown. He received his juris doctorate from Buffalo Law School and his Bachelor of Science degree in Government and Politics from Utica College, Utica, N.Y. Brad is an active Mason and Shriner.
