House Lifting: Homeowner

The Only Builder's Risk Policy Built for Homeowners Lifting Their Homes

Protection When Your House Leaves the Ground—Literally

All across Florida, homeowners are elevating their properties after hurricanes, repetitive flood losses, FEMA/NFIP compliance requirements, and major renovations. It's a smart investment—but it comes with a very real insurance problem most homeowners never hear about until it's too late:

The moment the lift begins, your homeowners policy stops protecting your home.

Not later.

Not when you notify the carrier.

Immediately.

Traditional homeowners insurance was never designed to cover a structure sitting six feet in the air supported by steel beams. And while builder's risk policies usually fill coverage gaps during renovation, standard builder's risk policies exclude structural lifting and often foundation work altogether.

That's where we come in.

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Why Homeowners Lose Coverage During a Lift

Most homeowners assume their insurance "stays active" as long as the premium is paid. Unfortunately, that's not the case during an elevation project.

Here’s why the coverage stops:

1. Homeowners Policies Exclude Structures Off Their Foundation

Once the lifting starts, the home is no longer considered structurally stable under policy definitions. Result? The coverage cuts off.

Some homeowners think, "If I don't tell my insurance company, I'll still be covered."

‍That is incorrect.

During a claim investigation (which every carrier performs), they will discover the lift through:

• inspection photos
• engineering reports
• contractor invoices
• visible structural separation
• municipal permits
• or even debris patterns

Once they confirm the home was lifted at the time of the loss, the claim will be denied because coverage was not valid during the elevation process—even if you didn't notify them.

2. Builder's Risk Policies Don't Cover Lifting or Foundation Work

Builder's risk is perfect for normal renovations and even rebuilds involving changing the "footprint" of the home (adding rooms)—but not for elevation work.

Nearly all standard forms explicitly exclude structural lifting, shoring, cribbing, and foundation separation.

3. Your Contractor's Insurance Does NOT Cover Your House

Even the most reputable lifting contractor's general liability policy is designed to protect their business, not your home.

Homeowners are often told "don't worry, my insurance covers it."

It doesn't.

Not the structure, not the materials, and definitely not wind or hurricane damage that hits mid-project.

That gap—dangerous, expensive, and hidden—is exactly what we solved.

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Introducing: The Structural Elevation Builder's Risk Policy

The first (and only) policy that protects your home during the house-lifting process.

Melissa Ems Insurance Agency offers a policy specifically for homeowners elevating their homes. No more guessing, no more exposure, no more uninsured houses perched on beams.

This is true builder's risk coverage engineered to stay in force during:

• The structural lift
• The elevation process
• Reconstruction of the foundation
• Any renovations that follow
• Reconnection of utilities
• Rebuilding and reoccupancy

And yes—wind coverage can be included.

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What Our Structural Elevation Builder's Risk Policy Covers

A well-designed builder's risk policy should act like a temporary safety bubble for your home throughout the project. Ours does—with the critical additions standard policies exclude.

• Structural Damage Mid-Lift — Damage to the frame, walls, roof, utilities, foundation, or supporting cribbing
• Fire, Lightning, Explosion, or Accidental Damage
• Wind, Hurricane, Hail & Named Storm Coverage — Yes, during the lift
• Theft or Vandalism — Including materials, tools, and supplies
• Materials in Transit or Stored Off-Site
• Debris Removal, Emergency Repairs & Scaffolding
• Soft Costs (when eligible) — Including delayed rental income, loan interest, engineering fees, permitting delays, etc.

This is the coverage homeowners expect builder's risk to provide—but standard policies simply don't.

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What You Need Before We Can Bind Coverage

Because this program fills a serious gap, there are a few key documents required:

• A licensed house-lifting contractor's insurance sent directly from their agent, dated within the last 24 hours (general liability + proof they carry limits and proper coverage required for structural elevation)
• Engineering or construction scope of work
• Project timeline (estimated)
• Signed contracts for lift and reconstruction

We'll walk you through every step—no guessing required.

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Why Homeowners Choose Our Program

Purpose-Built Protection

‍The only builder's risk policy designed specifically for homes being lifted.

Backed by National, AM Best–Rated Carriers

‍Financial strength + specialized underwriting.

Designed by Industry Experts

‍Melissa Ems is a former catastrophe and field claims adjuster, Certified Risk Manager, and Certified Insurance Counselor with extensive experience in FEMA flood compliance, NFIP requirements, and elevation project risks.

Personalized Coverage, Not Cookie-Cutter Policies

‍Every home is different. Every elevation is different. Every risk is different. We tailor your policy to your contractors, your project, and your home.

We Stay With You Through the Entire Project

‍You're not left to navigate complex insurance decisions alone.

• Ongoing support and project guidance with regard to insurance
• Explanation of coverage stages and triggers
• Contractor insurance certificate review
• Recommendations to prevent uninsured exposures

We don't just write the policy—we stand beside you until your home is safely back on its foundation.

Licensed Nationwide

‍Whether your home sits in a Florida coastal flood zone, a Gulf Coast hurricane corridor, a New Jersey or North Carolina shoreline community, or an inland river region—we can protect your elevation project.

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Don't Start the Lift Without the Right Protection

Once the house rises, your old coverage falls away. Replace uncertainty with a policy engineered specifically for the job.

Before your lift begins, let us protect everything you've built.

Reach out today to learn more about the Structural Elevation Builder's Risk program for homeowners.