Check whether insurance may apply

Check whether insurance may apply

If something has gone wrong with building or plumbing work, insurance may help in some circumstances.

The type of insurance that may apply depends on:

• the type of work
• when your contract was signed
• whether the work is eligible
• whether the builder or plumber is registered or licensed
• the issue you are experiencing
• whether relevant timeframes and scheme requirements are met.

Insurance does not cover every building or plumbing issue. Limits, exclusions and claim timeframes apply.

Start with the type of work

Building work

For domestic building work, either Domestic Building Insurance or Home Warranty may apply.

The scheme that applies depends on when your building contract was signed and when your insurance cover was issued.

Plumbing work

For plumbing work, a licensed plumber’s mandatory insurance may apply.

This is separate from Domestic Building Insurance and Home Warranty.

If your work is covered by Home Warranty

Home Warranty applies to new eligible domestic building work under eligible contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026.

Home Warranty may provide assistance where eligible domestic building work is:

• incomplete
• defective
• non-compliant.

It may also provide assistance for some related costs, including accommodation, removal and storage, or costs to secure an incomplete building site.

Home Warranty may apply where your builder is unable or unwilling to complete or fix the work, or where an insurable domestic building contract event has occurred.

An insurable domestic building contract event may include where the builder has died, disappeared, become insolvent, had their registration cancelled, or where the contract has ended because of the builder’s default.

If your work is covered by Domestic Building Insurance

Domestic Building Insurance, often called DBI, may apply to eligible domestic building work carried out under contracts signed before 1 July 2026.

If you have a DBI Certificate of Insurance issued before 1 July 2026, your cover continues under the DBI scheme.

Your DBI cover does not transfer to Home Warranty.

If your issue relates to plumbing work

Licensed plumbers in Victoria must hold insurance for plumbing work they carry out.

Plumbing insurance may help where plumbing work is defective or non-compliant and the plumber is unable or unwilling to fix the work.

You may need your plumbing compliance certificate, if one was issued.

What to check before making a claim

Before making a claim, check:

• whether you have a Certificate of Insurance, Notice of Cover or plumbing compliance certificate
• whether the work was carried out by a registered builder or licensed plumber
• when your contract was signed
• when the work was completed
• when you first became aware of the issue
• whether the issue may be incomplete, defective or non-compliant work
• whether you have already contacted the builder or plumber about the issue.

Documents you may need

You may need to provide:

• your building contract or plumbing contract
• any agreed variations
• your Certificate of Insurance or Notice of Cover
• plans and specifications
• building or plumbing permits
• payment records and invoices
• photos or video showing the issue
• reports or expert assessments
• emails, letters or messages with the builder or plumber
• details of any steps you have already taken to resolve the issue.

You do not need to have every document before contacting BPC, but having clear information will help us assess your enquiry.

Act early

Timeframes apply to insurance claims.

If you think insurance may apply, do not wait. Gather your documents, keep records and contact BPC for information about the next step.