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.
Plumbing Health Check
Step by Step Guide for Brokers
step one
Plumbing Health Checklist provided to broker at renewal*
Where Masterpiece clients are asked to complete the Plumbing Health Check, brokers will receive a link to the checklist with the client’s renewal documentation so that the information can be shared with and explained to their client. For other clients who would like to complete a Plumbing Health Check once confirmed as eligible, Chubb will provide a copy of the checklist to brokers upon approval.
step two
Client to request licensed plumber**
The Masterpiece client must engage a licensed plumber to complete the Plumbing Health Check. Chubb has established a panel of reputable licensed plumbers who have been trained on the requirements of the Plumbing Health Check. Masterpiece clients are encouraged to use a Chubb approved plumber to complete the Checklist. Chubb has partnered with National Leak Detection (NLD) and where noted on your client’s Masterpiece renewal letter, Chubb will pay for NLD to complete their Checklist.
step three
Licensed plumber to complete checklist for client’s home
The licensed plumber is to complete the checklist which identifies what works need to be done based on the requirements of the Plumbing Heath Check.
step four
Plumber to complete works identified by the checklist
Clients can engage the same plumber or an alternate licensed plumber to complete the rectification works identified by the checklist.
step five
Masterpiece client to return completed checklist to broker
Clients to return a copy of the checklist to their broker along with the plumber’s invoice for the completed works as confirmation.
step six
Broker to return checklist to Chubb
Broker to forward the completed checklist and plumber’s invoice to their dedicated Masterpiece underwriter.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Where noted on your client’s Masterpiece renewal letter, Chubb will pay for National Leak Detection (NLD) to complete their Checklist in the relevant renewal period. If your client does not accept this offer within the renewal period and/or engages another licenced plumber to complete the Checklist, your client will need to cover this cost.
If there is no offer made in your client’s Masterpiece renewal letter, your client is responsible for arranging and paying the costs of a licensed plumber to complete the Checklist.
In any event, the client will be responsible for arranging and paying the costs of conducting and completing any rectification works identified by the Plumbing Health Checklist (whether it has been completed by NLD or not).
If your client is asked to complete the Plumbing Health Check, they will need to complete both the Checklist and any identified works in the relevant renewal period (in order to receive the premium discount). Please see our Step by Step Guide for Clients. The offer to pay for NLD is only open for acceptance for the term of the renewal period in which it is offered.
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. Chubb has partnered with NLD and where noted on your client’s Masterpiece renewal letter, Chubb will pay for NLD to complete their Checklist in the renewal period where this is offered. If there is no offer made in your client’s Masterpiece renewal letter, your client is responsible for paying the costs of a licensed plumber to complete the Checklist. In any event, all costs of conducting and completing any rectification works identified by the Plumbing Health Checklist (whether it has been completed by NLD or not) 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.
* If the 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 a Plumbing Health Check may not be relevant.
General Disclaimer
** Clients are responsible for arranging and paying the costs of conducting and completing any Plumbing Health Check. The exception is where Chubb offers to pay for NLD to complete the Checklist as noted on the client’s Masterpiece renewal letter. This offer is open for acceptance for the term of the renewal period in which it is offered. Chubb is not under any obligation to make any further offer, where the client does not accept the offer in relevant renewal policy period stated. Chubb reserves the right to discontinue NLD’s usage subject to any open offer which has been made, accepted, or is capable of acceptance. Any required works identified by the Checklist are to be paid for by the client. Chubb provides the Plumbing Health Checklist as a guide only, which may assist with a licensed plumber’s inspection of the property’s plumbing. Chubb reserves the right to discontinue the Plumbing Health Check initiative. 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.
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Ready to find out more?
To learn more, please visit our Plumbing Health Check initiative or to see if your Policyholders are eligible, contact your local Chubb underwriter today.