Origin Specialty and Land Improvement Contractors of America Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Insurance Solutions for the Site Preparation Industry
Origin Specialty Underwriters Agency, LLC (“Origin Specialty”), a national Managing General Agent (MGA) and a partner company of Beyond Risk, has announced a strategic partnership with the Land Improvement Contractors of America (“LICA”) to deliver specialized insurance solutions for the site preparation (“site-prep”) sector. This program will be offered through McGriff, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC company, and aims to enhance protection, efficiency, and confidence for contractors operating in one of construction’s most complex and risk-intensive segments.
This collaboration brings together three powerful entities: Origin Specialty’s deep underwriting expertise in hard-to-place construction risks, LICA’s 75-year legacy in advancing land improvement standards, and McGriff’s robust capabilities in specialized construction insurance. Together, these organizations will create a comprehensive insurance and risk management platform uniquely designed for site-prep and horizontal contractors across the United States.
Elevating Risk Management for Site-Prep Contractors
The site preparation industry plays a foundational role in every construction project, but it also faces significant insurance challenges due to high-risk operations such as excavation, grading, and land clearing. Recognizing these complexities, Origin Specialty and LICA developed a tailored insurance solution that meets both the operational and contractual requirements of contractors in this field.
“This partnership marks a significant evolution in our General Liability offering,” said MaryBeth Schram, Head of Construction and Vice President at Origin Specialty. “By collaborating directly with LICA and their members through McGriff, we’re delivering coverage that goes beyond the standard policy. Our program is designed to meet the specific contractual obligations that site preparation contractors face, while providing exceptional service and flexibility.”
Schram emphasized that the partnership is about more than just insurance—it’s about empowering contractors to focus on their core business. “Beyond insurance, this program delivers added value through OSHA compliance support, loss control services, enhanced coverage forms, and exceptional claims handling. Contractors gain peace of mind knowing they have a program designed for their unique needs.”
Comprehensive Coverage Tailored for the Industry
The program offers a wide range of specialized coverages, ensuring site-prep professionals have the protection they need from the ground up. The General Liability options include limits of $1M/$2M/$2M or $2M/$4M/$4M, depending on the contractor’s needs. Coverage highlights include:
- Blanket and Specific Additional Insured Endorsements, including Completed Operations coverage.
- Per Project Aggregate with no cap, ensuring each project receives dedicated protection.
- Blanket Waiver of Subrogation and Primary Non-Contributory coverage, strengthening contractual compliance.
- No exclusions for key exposures such as Subsidence, Tract Work, Residential Operations, Explosion, Collapse, Underground (XCU), Earth Movement, or PFAS-related risks.
By eliminating common exclusions that often limit coverage for site-prep contractors, Origin Specialty provides a truly comprehensive solution. The policy structure reflects a deep understanding of the operational realities of heavy civil and earthwork projects.
Added Value Through Risk Management Support
In addition to its broad coverage, the partnership offers a suite of value-added services that go beyond traditional insurance products. These services include:
- OSHA compliance assistance, helping contractors maintain safety standards and reduce the likelihood of accidents.
- Loss control services, enabling proactive risk mitigation through expert guidance and site-specific recommendations.
- Industry-leading claims handling, ensuring rapid response and efficient resolution when incidents occur.
Origin Specialty’s in-house quoting and binding authority also means that contractors can expect fast, flexible underwriting and a variety of deductible options tailored to their operational scale. This streamlined process allows companies to obtain coverage quickly without compromising on quality or scope.
Strengthening the LICA Member Experience
The partnership also reinforces LICA’s mission to support its members with resources that improve safety, efficiency, and profitability. For over 75 years, LICA has represented the interests of contractors engaged in land improvement, drainage, and site-prep work, advocating for best practices, innovation, and responsible land management.
“Origin Specialty’s commitment to supporting contractors aligns perfectly with LICA’s mission,” said Allison Hack, Executive Vice President of LICA. “This partnership strengthens the tools and resources available to our members and highlights the growing value of LICA’s national benefit network. By offering access to specialized coverage and professional risk management services, we are helping our members operate more confidently and competitively.”
Through this collaboration, LICA members gain exclusive access to insurance products designed to address their exact business exposures—something not often available in traditional commercial markets. The initiative underscores the organizations’ shared commitment to elevating standards within the site-prep industry and fostering long-term sustainability for contractors.
Empowering the Future of Site Preparation
The Origin Specialty–LICA partnership represents a forward-thinking approach to construction insurance—one that integrates expertise, innovation, and service. By uniting the strengths of three leading organizations, the program delivers a seamless blend of protection and performance for those working in one of construction’s most essential yet challenging fields.
From enhanced liability protection to comprehensive risk management support, the partnership aims to redefine how insurance serves the site-prep community. Contractors will benefit from tailored coverage, responsive service, and ongoing guidance—empowering them to focus on what truly matters: building the foundations of tomorrow’s infrastructure.
As the construction landscape continues to evolve, Origin Specialty, LICA, and McGriff’s collaboration stands as a model for how industry partnerships can drive meaningful impact, combining risk expertise with deep industry insight to better protect and support those shaping the land and the future of construction.
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