Understand how your builder is operating
To make a claim, you'll need to know whether your builder was operating as a sole trader, partnership or company. This affects how eligibility is assessed.
If your builder is a sole trader
You can make a claim if the builder has:
- died
- disappeared – they can't be located after due search and enquiry
- become insolvent – they’ve been declared bankrupt
You can check the Australian Financial Security Authority's Bankruptcy Register (a fee may apply).
If your builder operated as a partnership
You can claim only if all partners have:
- died
- disappeared
- become insolvent
If any partner remains active, you won’t be able to claim under DBI, but you may take legal action against them.
Find out if our free dispute resolution service can help you.
Use the Bankruptcy Register to check the partners' status (a fee may apply).
If your builder is a company
You can claim if the company is:
- deregistered, or
- insolvent – classified as an externally-administered body corporate under the Corporations Act 2001.
Check company status via the ASIC Registers.
Verify your certificate of insurance
This tool helps you confirm if we issued domestic building insurance (DBI) for your property.
1. Enter your policy number in the verification search.
2. The tool will confirm if your policy is valid.
3. If valid, you’ll see:
- The property address for the policy
- The date the policy was issued
Don’t know your policy number?
- Check your email for a copy, it’s sent when your builder purchases the policy.
- Or ask your builder to give you a copy.