29 April 2023
Update on claims processing for Porter Davis customers with domestic building insurance
Key points
- All claim decisions for deposit-only reimbursements have been completed (where customers have provided us with the necessary information).
- Over 1,000 site inspections of homes under construction (works in progress) have been undertaken by building surveyors, with most reports now provided to VMIA.
- Claim assessments in this category have started this week and will scale up over time. Simultaneously, we have also commenced inspecting homes which are complete with defects.
- We appreciate this is an uncertain time for home buyers affected by the Porter Davis insolvency.
As we continue to receive queries from home buyers asking for an update on their claim, we thought we would provide you with more insight into our claims processing approach and what you should expect regarding timing.
Generally, it takes up to 90 days to assess a claim (from the time all supporting documents have been submitted), particularly where claims are relatively complex and take time to work through. These claims may include the need for a reinspection of your property, particularly if you have indicated that the building work is defective.
For Porter Davis customers, however, we are doing all we can to process your claim in a shorter time frame. We have put on additional claim assessors and call centre staff to deal with the higher volumes, and where relevant, we’re working on completing site inspections and obtaining alternative builders’ quotes as a matter of urgency.
Claim processing times will vary, depending on the complexity of your project, the geographical location, or the extent to which the works are claimed to be defective, requiring further inspection. We have a dedicated team focused on progressing homes in this category.
With this in mind, and as a result of the additional resources we’ve put in place, we have been making good progress against the large volume of claims we have received. As of Thursday 27 April, over 1,000 site inspections have been undertaken by building surveyors, with most reports now provided to VMIA.
Based on these reports, we have begun assessing claims for works in process this week, and will scale up these efforts over the coming days. Most quotes will be based on the building surveyor inspections and the original building contract. However, in some instances, a further inspection may be required. If this is the case, then we will notify you once your claim has been referred for further inspection by us.
Owners intending to lodge a claim for defective building work must list each item being claimed separately as part of your claim otherwise your claim will not progress to inspection. Items not listed cannot be assessed by VMIA. Where a defect report has been uploaded but defects have not been itemised as part of the claim, the matter will not progress to an inspection until this has been done.
We thank you for your patience as we work to process your claim as quickly as possible.
If you have any queries about the status of your claim, please log into the DBI Claims Portal.
Timeline for making a claim
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