The Plumbing Health Check is where you are asked to engage a recommended plumber to complete a plumbing health checklist. 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.
Plumbing Health Check
Step by Step Guide for Clients
If your insurance broker has asked you to complete a Plumbing Health Check when renewing your policy, it means you’ve been identified as being at higher risk of internal water damage, mainly due to the age of your home. To complete the Plumbing Health Check, your broker will provide you with a checklist for a plumber to complete on your behalf.
Your four steps to completing a Plumbing Health Check
step one
Contact a plumber
Contact a recommended licensed plumber listed on Chubb’s Supplier Showcase to complete the Plumbing health checklist. These plumbers have been trained on how to complete Chubb’s Plumbing Health Checklist.
step two
Schedule a visit
Schedule a time for the Chubb-recommended plumber to visit your home and complete the checklist that was sent to you by your broker.
step three
Undertake required works outlined in the completed checklist
Once the checklist is complete, you will need to undertake any required works listed in checklist. You are welcome to use the same Chubb recommended plumber who completed the checklist or a plumber of your choice to have these works completed. If the latter, please provide a copy of the completed checklist to your preferred plumber, who can then complete the required works noted in the checklist. Please note the costs of having the checklist completed and any required works are to be agreed for and paid by you.
step four
Provide your broker with the completed checklist and plumber invoices
Once the works noted in the checklist are complete, pass a copy of the invoice outlining the completed works onto your broker along with the completed plumbing health checklist. Once Chubb has received these from your broker, you will be eligible for a premium discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your property has been identified as having a higher risk of internal water damage, due to the age of the 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 you 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.
You are responsible for arranging and paying the costs of conducting and completing the checklist and any identified rectification work.
If you are asked to complete the Plumbing Health Check, you 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).
If your home has been substantially renovated within the last 10 years, where such renovation included an upgrade to the entire plumbing system, please have your broker contact Chubb as a 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.
Our research and experience tells us that flexi-hoses, are susceptible to failure due to:
- 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.
Chubb has established a panel of reputable licenced plumbers who are trained in conducting thorough Plumbing Health Checks. To ensure accuracy, a Chubb vetted plumber must be used when completing the checklist. Once the checklist has been completed, you have the choice of using the same plumber to complete the works identified in the checklist, or a licenced plumber of your own choice. All costs are to be agreed, and paid for, by you.
Once you have completed the checklist and any works identified in the checklist, you will be able to apply for a premium discount. To do this, you need to return the checklist and invoices from the plumber to your broker for them to pass on to 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.