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  • What information will be provided by VMIA when an online request is made for the domestic building insurance details of a particular property?

    • Whether a Certificate of Insurance has been issued for the property and the relevant date
    • The policy number
    • The name of the builder whose works are insured under the domestic building insurance policy
    • The balance of indemnity (that is, the remaining amount of the policy limit after deducting any prior claim payments) under the policy

    NOTE: VMIA can only provide details regarding Certificates of Insurance issued between 31 May 2010 and 30 June 2015 to the current owner of the property.

  • How will I receive a response and how long does it take?

    You will receive a response by email, no information will be provided over the phone. VMIA aim to respond within five working days.

  • Will VMIA release any details about the builder who carried out the works?

    Only the name of the builder listed on the Certificate of Insurance will be provided.

  • Will VMIA release the name of the owner of the property at the time the Certificate of Insurance was issued?

    No. Only the information referred to above will be provided.

  • Can VMIA provide me with a copy of the Certificate of Insurance?

    VMIA can provide you with a copy of the Certificate of Insurance if you are the current owner of the property.

    Evidence will be required to prove that you are the property owner.

  • VMIA says no Certificate of Insurance has been issued for the property. Does that mean no DBI insurance has ever been issued for the property?

    Not necessarily. The VMIA may have issued a Certificate of Insurance for works at the property between 31 May 2010 and 30 June 2015 but will not provide details about that insurance to you if you are not the owner. Also other insurers may also have issued certificates of insurance for work at the property.

    Note: If you cannot locate the Certificate of Insurance, contact your builder (if possible), the building surveyor or your local council to find out the name of the insurer and policy number. This information is usually listed on the building permit. If you still cannot locate the information, you will need to contact each of the insurers who offer/offered domestic building insurance and provide the address of your property to ascertain if they issued the policy on the building works.

    • Australian Unity General Insurance Limited - 13 29 39
    • Calliden Insurance Limited – 1300 002 255
    • CGU Insurance Limited - 13 24 81
    • Dexta / Allianz - 13 10 00
    • Lumley – 1300 586 539
    • Vero Insurance Limited - 13 18 13
    • Asset Insure – 1800 316 631
    • Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance – 1300 021 415

  • VMIA says a Certificate of Insurance has been issued, but the name of the builder carrying out the works on the Certificate of Insurance is different from the name of the builder who actually carried out the works, or is different from the name of the builder in the building contract. What does that mean?

    The policy only applies to works carried out by the builder named on the Certificate of Insurance. If you have any doubts about whether that builder carried out the work, we recommend you contact:

    • If you are the owner of the property who had the building work carried out - contact your builder
    • If you are the current or subsequent owner of the property - contact the builder, your local council or the building surveyor who issued the building permit for the building work
    • If you are a purchaser or potential purchaser - contact the vendor of the property

  • VMIA says a claim has been received and/or an amount has been paid out. What does that mean?

    If a claim has previously been accepted, the policy may not provide any further indemnity for the same items. The details of insurance provided by VMIA identify the balance of the indemnity limit available for any future claims. VMIA is unable to provide specific details of any claims made.

    If you have any questions about the specific details of claims made, we recommend you contact:

    • If you are a purchaser or potential purchaser - contact the vendor of the property
    • If you are a builder about to carry out work at the property - contact the owner of the property

What is DBI?

Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) is required for all domestic building projects, where the contract price is over $16,000.

What is DBI
What’s Covered?

DBI covers incomplete or defective building work, up to amounts set out in the policy. It can also cover the costs of some expenses incurred by the homeowner, such as loss of deposit.

What's covered

Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we do business and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the important contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make in creating a thriving Victoria.

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