Willis, a WTW company, reports in its latest Willis Global Construction Rate Trend Report for Q1 that the global construction industry is witnessing a significant rise in data center projects, driven by rapid technological advancements and the growing demands of artificial intelligence (AI). However, this surge comes with challenges, as labor shortages and rising material costs pose major hurdles for both the construction and insurance sectors.

In North America, the skilled labor shortage is reaching critical levels, with estimates suggesting that an additional 500,000 new workers are required to meet the pending construction demand. Similar labor shortages are a growing problem in Europe and Latin America, while in Asia, the shortage of skilled labor is particularly acute. These shortages can lead to poor quality construction and reduced adherence to safety protocols, prompting insurance markets to closely scrutinize project schedules and costs.

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Other key findings highlighted

  • Economic factors are also playing a significant role in the global construction insurance market.
  • The ongoing rise in building material costs is pushing project expenses upward, resulting in increased insurance premiums and the recent surge in tariffs, particularly for construction material imports and exports, is anticipated to further amplify these cost pressures.
  • Recent natural disasters, such as the fires in Los Angeles, have had a significant financial impact on the construction insurance market. Insured loss estimates from the California wildfires range from $32 to $40 billion, affecting over 16,000 structures. This is anticipated to result in insurance premium rate increases for construction projects in California and add pressure to the already strained labor and building material markets.

In the face of these obstacles, we are still witnessing encouraging developments within the global construction insurance sector. The Builders’ risk and Construction All Risk (CAR) insurance market is displaying resilience, with rates stabilizing and increased capacity for more extensive risks. In Asia, we are seeing a market that is on the mend, offering improved rates and terms for quality risks.

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Bill Creedon, Global Head of Construction, Willis said “The global data center boom is not only transforming the technology landscape but also catalyzing investments in the energy sector, with a strong emphasis on sustainable energy sources like solar, wind, and green hydrogen. Moreover, the nuclear industry is increasingly exploring the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to power these facilities. Nonetheless, we are witnessing a robust response from the insurance market, with a continued emphasis on meticulous underwriting to address the evolving technological landscape. With our unique specialist industry knowledge and expertise, we continue to help our construction clients navigate through this difficult business environment.”

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Source – GlobeNewswire

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