Past approved insurers
All past approved home warranty insurers (apart from FAI and HIH) remain the underwriters for their home warranty insurance policies for the relevant period of cover.
Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd
From 1 January 2001, Allianz Australia Insurance Limited offered cover through its agent, Dexta Corporation. Allianz withdrew from the home warranty insurance market on 31 December 2002.
For enquiries, contact:
Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd
GPO Box 4049
SYDNEY NSW 20014
Tel: 1300 367 032
Australian International Insurance Limited (AIIL)
From 1 January 2004, following its acquisition of Reward Insurance Limited (see below), AIIL offered cover through its authorised agent, Australian Home Warranty (AHW).
As of 1 June 2007, the home warranty insurance businesses of AIIL and Lumley General Insurance Limited were integrated following the purchase of AIIL’s parent company (OAMPS Ltd) by Lumley’s parent company, Wesfarmers Limited. From 1 June 2007 home warranty insurance was provided under the name of Lumley General Insurance Limited.
On 17 October 2008 Lumley General Insurance Limited changed its name to Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited. Home warranty insurance will continue to be provided under the name of Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley General.
For enquiries, contact:
PO Box 2764
Melbourne VIC 3001
Tel: 02 9248 1111 – Builders Warranty Claims Department, Sydney
Tel: 03 8627 4333 (Melbourne)
Fax: 03 8627 4312
Website: www.lumley.com.au
Australian Unity General Insurance Limited
Australian Unity was approved on 13 December 2001 (following its acquisition of Key Insurance Company Limited – refer below entry) to offer home warranty insurance through its authorised agents for owner-builder work.
On 1 August 2007, following the acquisition of the Australian Unity Group’s general insurance businesses by the Calliden Group Limited, Australian Unity changed its name to Calliden Insurance Limited and continued to provide cover for owner-builder work through its authorised agents. With effect from 1 December 2008 the approval of Calliden Insurance Limited was amended to cover all types of home warranty insurance.
For enquiries contact:
Building Industry Solutions Pty Ltd
Tel: 1800 244 224
Website: www.buildinginsurance.com.au
The Builders Insurance Broker
Tel: 1300 769 455
Website: www.buildersbroker.com.au
Calliden Limited
Calliden Limited was approved on 1 August 2005 to provide home warranty insurance in New South Wales through its authorised agents.
As of 1 December 2008, following the approval of the Federal Court of Australia, the insurance business of Calliden Limited was transferred to Calliden Insurance Limited. Calliden Insurance Limited is currently approved to provide home warranty insurance in NSW.
Claims: 02 9551 1111
Agent:
Buildsafe Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd
Tel: 1800 019 233
Website: www.buildsafe.com.au
FAI General Insurance Company Limited
FAI General Insurance Company Limited (FAI) was approved on 1 May 1997 to offer home warranty insurance in New South Wales. FAI was incorporated into HIH Casualty and General Insurance Limited (HIH) in December 1998. HIH was placed into liquidation on 15 March 2001 and its approval as a home warranty insurer was revoked.
The NSW Government introduced a rescue package to guarantee cover on valid home warranty policies issued by FAI and HIH.
For enquiries contact:
The Office of Fair Trading
Tel: 13 32 20
HIH Casualty and General Insurance Limited
HIH Casualty and General Insurance Limited (HIH) was approved on 28 April 1997 to offer home warranty insurance in New South Wales. HIH incorporated FAI General Insurance Company Limited in December 1998. HIH was placed into liquidation on 15 March 2001 and its approval as a home warranty insurer was revoked.
The NSW Government introduced a rescue package to guarantee cover on valid home warranty policies issued by FAI and HIH.
For enquiries contact:
The Office of Fair Trading
Tel: 13 32 20
Key Insurance Company Pty Ltd
Key Insurance was approved on 22 March 2001 to provide owner-builder insurance in NSW through its authorised agents, Buildsafe Independent Housing Group and Building Industry Solutions. On 13 December 2001, Australian Unity General Insurance Limited acquired the general insurance business of Key Insurance.
On 1 August 2007 Australian Unity General Insurance Limited changed its name to Calliden Insurance Limited and continued to provide home warranty insurance cover for owner-builder work through its authorised agents. With effect from 1 December 2008 the approval of Calliden Insurance Limited was amended to cover all types of home warranty insurance.
For enquiries contact:
Building Industry Solutions Pty Ltd
Tel: 1800 244 224
Website: www.buildinginsurance.com.au
Buildsafe Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd
Tel: 1800 019 233
Website: www.buildsafe.com.au
Lumley General Insurance Limited
Lumley General Insurance Limited was approved on 24 September 2004 to provide home warranty insurance in NSW through its authorised brokers.
As of 1 June 2007 the home warranty insurance businesses of Australian International Insurance Limited (AIIL) (refer above entry) and Lumley General Insurance Limited were integrated following the purchase of AIIL's parent company, OAMPS Ltd, by Lumley's parent company, Wesfarmers Limited. From 1 June 2007 home warranty insurance was provided under the name of Lumley General Insurance Limited.
On 17 October 2008 Lumley General Insurance Limited changed its name to Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited. Home warranty insurance will continue to be provided under the name of Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley General.
Important: Lumley General has announced its intention to cease issuing home warranty insurance policies from 1 January 2010. The insurer will not issue any new eligibilities to builders from 1 July 2009 and will cease the renewal of current eligibilities held by builders from 1 November 2009.
Insurers leave home warranty market
For enquiries, contact:
PO Box 2764
Melbourne VIC 3001
Tel: 02 9248 1111 – Builders Warranty Claims Department, Sydney
Tel: 03 8627 4333 (Melbourne)
Fax: 03 8627 4312
Website: www.lumley.com.au
Mercantile Mutual Insurance (Australia) Limited
Mercantile Mutual was approved in 1997 and offered cover through authorised agents:
-
Owner Builder Insurance Services - owner-builder work
-
Swimming Pool and Spa Association - swimming pools and spas.
Mercantile Mutual merged with QBE Insurance around October 1999 and stopped the sale of its home warranty insurance product in 2000.
For Owner Builder Insurance Services enquiries:
QBE Insurance
GPO Box 4108
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Tel: 8275 9999
For Swimming Pools & Spa Association enquiries:
Level 1, 9 Burwood Road
BURWOOD NSW 2134
Tel: 9747 6644
Reward Insurance Limited
Reward Insurance was approved on 19 April 2001 and offered cover through its authorised agent, Australian Home Warranty (AHW). Reward withdrew from the market on 31 December 2003 following its acquisition by Australian International Insurance Limited (AIIL) (refer above entry).
As of 1 June 2007, the home warranty insurance businesses of AIIL and Lumley General Insurance Limited (refer above entry) were integrated following the purchase of AIIL’s parent company (OAMPS Ltd) by Lumley’s parent company, Wesfarmers Limited.
On 17 October 2008 Lumley General Insurance Limited changed its name to Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited. Home warranty insurance will continue to be provided under the name of Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley General.
For enquiries, contact:
PO Box 2764
Melbourne VIC 3001
Tel: 02 9248 1111 – Builders Warranty Claims Department, Sydney
Tel: 03 8627 4333 (Melbourne)
Fax: 03 8627 4312
Website: www.lumley.com.au
Royal & Sun Alliance Limited
Royal & SunAlliance was approved on 28 April 1997. It changed its name to Vero Insurance Limited on 8 November 2003 and continues to offer home warranty insurance to the NSW market.
For enquiries contact:
Vero Insurance Limited
GPO Box 3999
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 1800 554 255 (for claims)
Tel: 1800 772 729 (for policies)
Fax: 1800 303 737
Suncorp Metway Insurance
Suncorp Metway was approved on 26 July 1999 and offered cover through its authorised agent Dexta Corporation. On 31 December 2000, Suncorp Metway withdrew from the home warranty insurance market. Claims are handled by Allianz on behalf of Suncorp Metway.
For enquiries contact:
Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd
GPO Box 4049
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Tel: 1300 367 032
ZURICH Australian Insurance Limited
Zurich was approved in May 1997 and offered cover mainly for small jobs (trade work). Zurich withdrew from the home warranty insurance market in late 2000.
For enquiries contact:
ZURICH Australian Insurance Limited
5 Blue Street
NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2010
Tel: 9995 1111
For further information and assistance regarding the Home Warranty Insurance Scheme, contact the Office of Fair Trading on 13 32 20.