Former home building compensation providers

The reformed NSW Home Building Compensation Scheme took effect on 1 January 2018.

Below is a list of former home building compensation providers.

All former home warranty insurers (apart from FAI and HIH) remain the underwriters for their home warranty insurance policies for the relevant period of cover. Before 15 January 2015, this was known as home warranty insurance.

Allianz Australia Insurance Limited

From 1 January 2001, Allianz Australia Insurance Limited offered cover through its agent, Dexta Corporation. Allianz withdrew from the insurance market on 31 December 2002.

For enquiries, contact:

Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd
GPO Box 4049
Sydney NSW 2001
Tel: 1300 367 032

Australian International Insurance Limited (AIIL)

From 1 January 2004, following its acquisition of Reward Insurance Limited (see below), AIIL was approved to provide home warranty insurance in NSW and 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 continued to be provided under the name of Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley General (refer below entry) until 31 December 2009 when the insurer withdrew from the insurance 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

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 until 30 June 2010. See entry below for Calliden Insurance Limited.

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 NSW 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 was approved to provide home warranty insurance in NSW until 30 June 2010, when it became an approved insurance agent for the NSW Home Warranty Insurance Scheme.

For claims and notifications, contact:

Calliden Insurance Limited
Innovation Group (Claims Services) Pty Ltd
PO Box 7704
St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 8004
Tel: 1300 130 247
Fax: 1300 662 215
Email: [email protected]

Calliden Insurance Limited

Formerly known as Australian Unity General Insurance Limited (refer to above entry).

Calliden Insurance Limited was approved to provide home warranty insurance in NSW through its authorised brokers from 1 December 2008 until 30 June 2010, when it became an approved insurance agent for the NSW Home Warranty Insurance Scheme.

For claims and notifications, contact:

Calliden Insurance Limited
Innovation Group (Claims Services) Pty Ltd
PO Box 7704
St Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 8004
Tel: 1300 130 247
Fax: 1300 662 215
Email: [email protected]

CGU Insurance Limited

CGU Insurance Limited was approved on 17 May 2004 to provide home warranty insurance in NSW through its authorised brokers.

CGU withdrew from the insurance market on 30 November 2009.

For enquiries contact:

Tel: 13 10 26
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cgu.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 NSW. 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:

Building Insurers' Guarantee Corporation
GPO Box 4052, Sydney NSW 2001
Phone: 02 9216 3224
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.icare.nsw.gov.au

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 NSW. 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:

Building Insurers' Guarantee Corporation
GPO Box 4052, Sydney NSW 2001
Phone: 02 9216 3224
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.icare.nsw.gov.au

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, until 30 June 2010. Refer to entry for Calliden Insurance Limited.

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 (refer entry below). Home warranty insurance continued to be provided under the name of Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley General until 31 December 2009 when the insurer withdrew from the 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: 1300 790 723

For Swimming Pools and Spa Association enquiries:

32/350 Liverpool Road
Ashfield NSW  2131
PO Box 154
Ashfield NSW  1800

Tel: 9747 6644
Fax: 9744 7916

QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited

QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited was approved to provide home warranty insurance in NSW through its authorised brokers from September 2005 until 30 June 2010, at which time it became an approved insurance agent for the NSW Home Warranty Insurance Fund. Refer to Approved insurance agents page for more information.

QBE Insurance
GPO Box 4108
SYDNEY NSW 2001

Tel: 1300 790 723
Website: www.qbe.com

Reward Insurance Limited

Reward Insurance was approved on 19 April 2001 to provide home warranty insurance in NSW 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 continued to be provided under the name of Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley General (refer entry below).

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 & Sun Alliance was approved on 28 April 1997. It changed its name to Vero Insurance Limited on 8 November 2003 and continued to provide home warranty insurance in NSW until 30 June 2010. Between 1 July 2010 and 30 September 2010 Vero was an approved insurance agent for the NSW Home Warranty Insurance Scheme.

For enquiries contact:

Vero Insurance Limited
GPO Box 3999
Sydney  NSW  2000

Tel: 1800 554 255
Fax: 03 9245 8082

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 Vero Insurance Limited on behalf of Suncorp Metway.

For enquiries contact:

Vero Insurance Limited
GPO Box 3999
Sydney  NSW  2000

Tel : 1800 554 255
Fax: 03 9245 8082
Website: www.vero.com.au

Vero Insurance Limited

Formerly known as Royal and Sun Alliance Ltd.

Vero Insurance Limited was approved to provide home warranty insurance in NSW through its authorised brokers from 8 November 2003 until 30 June 2010.

Between 1 July 2010 and 30 September 2010 Vero was an approved insurance agent for the NSW Home Warranty Insurance Scheme. Vero ceased to be an agent for the NSW Home Warranty Insurance Scheme on 1 October 2010.

Vero Insurance Limited
GPO Box 3999
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Tel: 1800 554 255
Fax: 03 9245 8082
Website: www.vero.com.au

Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley General

Lumley General Insurance Limited was approved on 24 September 2004 to provide home warranty insurance in NSW through its authorised brokers.

On 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. Home warranty insurance was provided under the name of Lumley General Insurance Limited (refer above entry).

On 17 October 2008 Lumley General Insurance Limited changed its name to Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley General.

Wesfarmers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley General withdrew from the home warranty insurance market on 31 December 2009.

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

Zurich Australian Insurance Limited

Zurich was approved in May 1997 to provide home warranty insurance in NSW 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 more information and assistance regarding the Home Building Compensation Scheme contact the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA)  on 13 10 50.

Related information

• Home warranty insurance industry deed in PDF format
• Market Practice Guidelines (owner-builder) for insurers operating prior to 1 July 2010 in PDF format
• Market Practice Guidelines (builder insurance) for insurers operating prior to 1 July 2010 in PDF format 
• Claims Handling Guidelines for insurers operating prior to 1 July 2010 in PDF format