Aviva has expanded its underwriting appetite to include engineered timber in commercial developments following a successful pilot, which saw the insurer work with a number of developers on sustainable building projects.

Adam Winslow, CEO, UK & Ireland General Insurance, Aviva, said: “There are a growing number of developers looking to build more sustainably, both by using sustainable materials like engineered timber, and by adopting modern methods of construction. Aviva wants to embrace both: widening our underwriting appetite to insure commercial buildings using engineered timber, and using our risk management expertise to minimise associated risks.

“But we need to consider the carbon footprint of a building over its lifetime. If a building is designed to be replaced in the event of a relatively minor incident well within its design life, then it cannot be considered sustainable.

“Modern methods of construction that focus on resilience and repairability are critical to helping developers balance sustainability commitments with the safety of building users and the communities that they inhabit.”

Share Story: