Owner-Builder Insurance: Questions and Cover Types to Investigate
Insurance needs are project-, policy-, and jurisdiction-specific. This page identifies common topics to discuss; it does not tell you which cover is legally required, adequate, available, or suitable for your build.
1. Home warranty or building-compensation schemes
Eligibility, thresholds, who obtains cover, when it applies, exclusions, resale obligations, and available providers differ by jurisdiction and by whether you are an owner-builder or engage a contractor. Confirm the current position directly with the regulator, insurer, and a qualified adviser.
2. Contract works or construction insurance
Ask what property and temporary works are insured, when cover starts and ends, which events and materials are included, how existing structures are treated, and what excesses, security conditions, limits, and exclusions apply.
3. Public liability
Discuss the activities, property, people, contractors, neighbouring property, limits, exclusions, and period that need cover. Do not assume a contractor's policy covers your own acts, omissions, or contractual responsibilities.
4. Workers compensation and workplace injury
Employment, contractor, deemed-worker, payroll, principal-contractor, and workplace obligations are fact-specific. Confirm worker status and insurance duties with the relevant authority and professional advisers before anyone starts work.
5. Existing home, contents, tools, plant, and materials
Tell your existing insurer about the proposed work and ask for written confirmation of continuing cover and exclusions. Separately confirm responsibility for contractor tools, hired plant, stored materials, transit, theft, and damage to existing property.
Questions to take to an insurer or broker
Which named insureds, sites, activities, structures, materials, people, and periods are covered?
What limits, sublimits, excesses, conditions, exclusions, notifications, and security requirements apply?
How do demolition, excavation, asbestos, water ingress, storm, theft, vacant property, existing structures, and neighbouring property affect cover?
What must each contractor, consultant, supplier, or hirer insure, and what evidence should you retain?
What changes must be disclosed during the project, and when does cover end or need to be replaced?
Which current legal or approval requirements must be confirmed with the regulator, certifier, or legal adviser?
Keep certificates, schedules, product disclosure statements, endorsements, correspondence, claim instructions, renewal dates, and evidence supplied by contractors with the project record. A certificate of currency alone does not explain the full cover or exclusions.