Mass Timber Insurance Action Plan – Phase 1 Report examines one of the most significant barriers to scaling mass timber construction in Canada: access to affordable and reliable insurance.
While mass timber offers clear advantages in sustainability, performance, and long-term value, course-of-construction insurance rates remain disproportionately high—often several times those of concrete and steel—driven largely by limited data and insurer unfamiliarity rather than demonstrated risk.
Led by the Climate Smart Buildings Alliance and the Canadian Wood Council, and supported by Natural Resources Canada, this report summarizes the findings from Phase 1 of a national action plan developed in collaboration with insurance and building industry stakeholders. It evaluates the feasibility of four targeted solutions focused on data sharing, insurer-relevant research, contractor verification, and expanding insurance capacity.
Bringing together technical insight and industry perspectives, the report outlines practical pathways to reduce risk perception, improve market confidence, and unlock greater adoption of mass timber construction across Canada.
