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Plumbing Health Check
What causes internal water damage?
The primary cause of internal water damage is the failure of flexible plumbing hoses, known as flexi-hoses. As these hoses are under mains water pressure, a burst flexi-hose can discharge up to 1,500 litres per hour. This can result in extensive water damage to a home, particularly if the property is unoccupied at the time or if the burst occurs on an upper level.
Why are flexi-hoses susceptible to failure?
- age of flexi-hose
- inferior quality hoses
- improper installation
- household chemicals stored under sinks which causes corrosion of the metal braiding
- excessive water pressure
Flexi-hoses have a limited lifespan, with most manufacturers and plumbers recommending they be replaced every 5 to 10 years, regardless of their condition.
What does the Plumbing Health Check involve?
The Plumbing Health Check first involves the completion of a Plumbing Health Checklist by a licensed plumber. The Checklist identifies flexi-hoses that have a higher risk of bursting due to their age or condition and require replacement amongst other things. Supplier Showcase to complete the Checklist. These plumbers have been trained on the requirements of the Plumbing Health Check. Chubb has partnered with National Leak Detection (NLD) and where this offer is noted on the client’s Masterpiece renewal letter, will cover the cost of the Plumbing Health Checklist if completed by NLD.
Once the Checklist has been completed, clients have the choice of using the same plumber to complete the works identified by the Checklist, or an alternate licensed plumber. Any required work identified by the Checklist will be at your expense (whether the Checklist has been completed by NLD or not).
Benefits of completing a Plumbing Health Check
Premium discount
Clients who complete the checklist and any rectification works identified by the checklist will be entitled to a premium discount. The extent of this discount will vary depending on the specific policy.
Reduce risks
Reduce the risk of a potentially major water damage loss that could result in clients having to move out of their homes for an extended period.
Who should complete a Plumbing Health Check?
Select clients will be asked to undertake the Plumbing Health Check when renewing their policy. These clients are considered to have a higher risk of water damage based on their sums insured, the age of their home, their occupancy status or their claims history. However, all Australian-based Masterpiece clients who have a home that is older than 10 years and which has not been renovated to upgrade the entire plumbing system within the last 10 years, are encouraged to consider a Plumbing Health Check (but should first contact a Masterpiece underwriter via their broker to confirm they are eligible).
Step by step guides
For brokers
Here is a step by step guide your Masterpiece clients should follow if they have been asked to complete a Plumbing Health Check.
For clients
Here is a step by step guide that you can pass along to your Masterpiece client on what they need to complete for a Plumbing Health Check.
Frequently asked questions
The Plumbing Health Check is where certain Masterpiece clients are asked to engage a licensed plumber to complete a plumbing health checklist. The checklist identifies (amongst other things) the flexi-hoses within the home that are at risk of bursting and need to be replaced either due to their age or condition.
Your client has been identified as having a higher risk of internal water damage to their property, due to the age of their home. Water damage is one of the leading insurance risks facing properties in Australia with flexi-hoses being the main perpetrator. Regular checks on hoses can prevent damage before it occurs, saving Masterpiece clients the inconvenience of damage and repairs.
The benefits of completing a Plumbing Health Check include:
- Premium discount will be applied once the checklist and any identified works have been completed (the extent of this discount will vary depending on the specific policy)
- Reduces the risk of internal water damage
Clients are responsible for arranging and paying the costs of conducting and completing the checklist and any identified rectification works.
If your client is asked to complete the Plumbing Health Check, they will have 90 days from the effective date of the policy to have the checklist and any identified works completed (in order to receive the premium discount). Please see our Step by Step Guide for Clients.
Frequently asked questions
(continued)
If your client’s home has been substantially renovated within the last 10 years, where such renovation included an upgrade to the entire plumbing system, please contact your Masterpiece underwriter as the Plumbing Health Check may not be relevant.
The checklist identifies the flexi-hoses within the home that are at risk of bursting and need to be replaced either due to their age or condition. It also sets out the additional requirements for conducting a successful plumbing health check, including:
- Replacement of any flexi-hose(s) that exceeds 10 years of age, regardless of the condition
- All replacement flexi-hoses are to meet Australian Standards AS 3499:2022
- Internal tank style hot water systems are to be fitted with a shut-off valve
- Mains water pressure to be no greater than 500kpa
Flexi-hoses encompass a variety of hoses used to connect water pipes to taps and fixtures. They can either be metal braided hoses fitted to hand basins, sinks and toilets; hard plastic hoses fitted to washing machines and dishwashers; or thin plastic hoses fitted to fridges and water filters.
Since these hoses are under mains pressure, a burst flexi-hose can discharge up to 1,500 litres per hour. This can result in extensive water damage to a home, particularly if the property is unoccupied at the time or if the burst occurs on an upper level. Regular checks on hoses can prevent damage before it occurs, saving inconvenience of damage and repairs.
A licensed plumber must complete the Plumbing Health Check. Chubb has established a panel of reputable licensed plumbers who are trained in conducting thorough Plumbing Health Checks. Chubb encourages the use of these plumbers to complete the checklist. Once the checklist has been completed, clients have the choice of using the same plumber to complete the works identified in the checklist, or an alternate licensed plumber. All costs are to be agreed, and paid for, by the client.
Once a client has completed checklist and any works identified in the checklist, they will be able to apply for a premium discount. To do this the client needs to return the checklist and invoices from the plumber to their broker to pass onto Chubb.
Clients are responsible for arranging and paying the costs of conducting and completing any plumbing health check. Chubb provides the Plumbing Health Checklist as a guide only, which may assist with a licensed plumber’s inspection of the property’s plumbing. The information in this document does not take into account the personal circumstances, objectives, financial situation or needs of an insured or prospective insured, and does not constitute financial, legal, professional or other advice upon which a reader may rely. Any references to insurance cover are general in nature only and may not suit your particular circumstances. The information is offered as a resource to be used together with an insured’s or prospective insured’s professional insurance advisors in maintaining a loss control program. Evaluations, reports, and recommendations are made solely to assist the insurer in underwriting and loss control. Evaluation for any hazard or condition does not imply that it is covered under any policy. No liabilities or warranties are assumed or provided by the information contained in this document. Any insurance cover referred to is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions set out in the relevant policy wording. Please obtain and read carefully the relevant insurance policy before deciding to acquire any insurance product. A policy wording can be obtained at www.chubb.com/au, through your broker or by contacting any of the Chubb offices.