What's covered?

Domestic Building Insurance

As of 1 July 2025, we manage all Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) policies previously provided by the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA).

You can make a claim with us if your Certificate of Insurance lists VMIA as the insurer and the policy was issued on or after 31 May 2010.

If your policy was issued before 31 May 2010, check your Certificate of Insurance to see if BPC is listed as the insurer. If another insurer is listed, contact them directly to confirm your cover.

Your build is covered for:

  • Up to $300,000 for policies on or after 1 July 2014 or $200,000 for policies before 1 July 2014
  • Incomplete works
    Covers up to 20% of the building contract price. This includes costs like:
    • Building permits
    • Works insurance
    • Locksmiths
    • Temporary fencing
  • Structural defects
    Covers defects for up to 6 years after the work is finished or the contract ends.
  • Non-structural defects
    Covers defects for up to 2 years after the work is finished or the contract ends.
  • Other losses
    Includes out-of-pocket expenses like:
    • Loss of deposit
    • Removal and storage costs

Check what's covered in your policy 

For a full list of what is and isn’t covered, check the detailed wording of your DBI policy.

DBI Policies

Policy trigger

A policy trigger is an event that allows you to make a claim under your DBI policy.

Your policy will be triggered if:

  • Your builder has died, disappeared or become insolvent, or
  • For policies issued on or after 1 July 2015, your builder has failed to comply with a Tribunal or Court Order.

Once one of these events occurs, you can make a claim.

If you can’t make a claim now, but may want to in the future, complete a Notification Form to let us know.

If your policy hasn’t been triggered or BPC isn’t your insurer, contact BPC Disputes Resolution for free help with building disputes. You can also visit Consumer Affairs Victoria for guidance on resolving disputes, defects and delays.

Policy limits

If your DBI policy was issued:

  • Before 1 July 2014 – you're covered for up to $200,000
  • On or after 1 July 2014 – you're covered for up to $300,000

These limits apply to each home covered by a DBI Certificate of Insurance.
They include all claims for defective or incomplete work and other eligible losses.

Cover start date

Coverage begins from the date your certificate of insurance is issued and continues throughout the lifecycle of construction and afterwards.