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Close-out, handover, defects and warrantiesBuildPath management templateInsurance-requiredHandover and close-outProject-controlledReviewed 11 August 2026

Insurance handover checklist

Use the Insurance handover checklist to prove that completion, authority, defect, as-built, warranty, operation and archive obligations are closed before handover or settlement. It is a control aid, not a substitute for the current official, contractual or professionally prepared document where one governs.

Who initiates it

Project manager, contract administrator or handover lead

Who fills it out

Client/developer or project manager with the insurance broker/insurer

Who reviews it

The receiving authority, consultant, broker, insurer or lender, plus the project document owner

Who approves it

Client/developer and the person authorised for the relevant completion/consent/contract decision

Applicability

Use from pre-practical-completion through the defects/warranty period and tailor it to the signed contract, consent and client/buyer requirements.

Who needs it

The project owner and the person controlling handover and close-out, including each reviewer, approver or recipient named by the live project process.

Who signs it

Only the person with the authority or professional competence required by the source document, contract, insurer, lender or authority process.

When it is needed

Prepare before the related handover and close-out decision or activity. Update it when scope, revision, cost, programme, responsibility, evidence or approval status changes.

Information needed

  • Completion/defect status and objective acceptance evidence
  • CCC, producer/trade certificates and as-builts
  • Warranties, manuals, keys, training, final account and archive

Where to find the information

  • Contract completion requirements and inspection records
  • Council/consultant/trade close-out records
  • Supplier warranties, manuals, as-builts and client acceptance

Step-by-step

How to prepare, review and file it

  1. 01Confirm whether this record applies to the project and who has authority to prepare, review, sign, submit and approve it.
  2. 02Download or open the current official form or source requirements when an authority, insurer, lender or contract controls the format.
  3. 03Gather the latest controlled source documents and confirm their revisions before entering information.
  4. 04Complete every field using project-specific facts; mark not applicable with a reason and clearly label unverified assumptions.
  5. 05Cross-check names, addresses, legal description, consent numbers, dates, values, drawing references, policy details and attachments.
  6. 06Have the appropriate project owner and qualified adviser review technical, legal, financial, insurance, safety and compliance content.
  7. 07Submit or issue it through the required channel, save proof of issue and record any response or RFI.
  8. 08Track actions to close-out, then save the final signed/accepted record and attachments in the controlled project file.

Where to submit or store it

Send through the insurance broker or insurer and retain the completed proposal, correspondence, policy schedule, wording and certificate in the controlled insurance folder.

Submission channels

  • Current authority, insurer or lender online service
  • Email or consultant/broker submission where the recipient confirms it
  • Controlled project document system

Documents to attach

  • Current drawings, specifications, reports or approval documents referenced in the record
  • Marked-up plans, photographs, quotes, correspondence, inspection results or certificates that support the entries
  • Required signatures, declarations, schedules, evidence or authority-generated receipt/acknowledgement

What happens after issue or submission

Verify completeness rather than file presence alone, issue the indexed pack, obtain acknowledgement and retain an immutable project archive plus residual-action tracker.

Controlled storage

Save the final record and supporting evidence in the controlled project document system, with the revision, issue status and related workspace record.

Source applicability

Confirm the project stage, contract, consent, consultant scope and actual site circumstances before use.

Common mistakes
  • Using an old template, superseded drawing, expired certificate or outdated authority process.
  • Copying generic wording without checking the specific property, consent, contract, policy or work package.
  • Leaving ownership, dates, revision, status, attachments or close-out evidence unclear.
  • Treating an internal checklist as an official authority, insurance, lender, legal or professional form.
Red flags and stop points
  • Required information conflicts between title, consented plans, consultant reports, contracts or site conditions.
  • A person is being asked to sign, certify or approve outside their authority or competence.
  • Work, purchase, payment, submission or occupation is proposed before a required approval or insurance confirmation is recorded.
  • Insufficient data to verify — confirm against the current consented drawings, specifications, Auckland Council requirements, Auckland Unitary Plan, NZ Building Code, relevant NZ Standard, consultant advice, manufacturer instructions, insurance broker, insurer, lender, lawyer, accountant or project contract.

Connected project controls

Related quote package
Insurance broker and project insurance
Related checklist items
Handover and close-out; Prepare and review Insurance handover checklist; File evidence and close outstanding actions
Related software tool
Handover Pack Builder / Defects Tracker
Example completed version
Example: Insurance handover checklist for 12 Example Road, Auckland; prepared by the named project owner; current source documents listed by number and revision; assumptions marked; two actions assigned with dates; reviewed by the appropriate adviser; final version and evidence filed in the controlled project record.

Related problems

  • CCC evidence incomplete
  • Defect not closed
  • Warranty missing
  • Settlement held up

Verification

Source / where to check

Use current official information and the controlled documents for the actual project.

Insurance broker, insurer and policy documents

Confirm proposal questions, disclosure, cover, exclusions, excesses, limits, interested parties, policy dates and evidence requirements directly with the broker or insurer.

Project-controlled documents

Use the current project brief, approval authorities, issued drawings, specifications, contracts, consultant reports, programme, correspondence and controlled registers.

Project-specific consented documents and professional advice override generic guidance.

Educational resource and verification warning

BuildPath NZ is an educational guide and project-management resource only. It does not replace advice from Auckland Council, a planner, architect, engineer, surveyor, quantity surveyor, lawyer, accountant, lender, insurer, insurance broker, WorkSafe, Watercare, utility provider, building consent authority or other qualified professional.

Insufficient data to verify — confirm against the current consented drawings, specifications, Auckland Council requirements, Auckland Unitary Plan, NZ Building Code, relevant NZ Standard, consultant advice, manufacturer instructions, insurance broker, insurer, lender, lawyer, accountant or project contract.