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Preparation is key when it comes to home building insurance claims. This article explains the steps to take before any damage occurs, helping you understand your policy and meet your obligations in case the unexpected happens and you need to make a claim.

Your policy is the foundation of your protection

A home building insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurer. Your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and policy schedule are commonly the key legal documents which set out what’s covered, what’s not, and the obligations of both you and your insurer. Every policy is different, so it’s essential to read the documents carefully.

• Keep track of your renewal date and pay your premiums on time.
• If you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to maintain home building insurance.

Tip: Keep digital and printed copies of your policy documents somewhere safe and accessible. They’re your reference point if you need to make a claim.

Meeting your obligations – why it pays to do your homework

There are several important obligations you need to meet to help protect your cover before a claim ever arises. These can be decisive when your insurer assesses whether damage is covered under your policy.

1. Take care of your home

One of the most common areas where disputes arise in home building insurance claims is whether damage resulted from an event that’s covered under your policy or if it was due to normal wear and tear or poor maintenance.

For example, if a tree branch falls on your home and damages the roof, you might say that’s because of high winds during a storm and should be covered under your policy. However, your insurer might argue that if the tree had been pruned regularly, the damage wouldn’t have occurred and deny your claim.

Insurers expect you to take reasonable steps to maintain your home. Staying on top of maintenance inside and outside your home and addressing small issues promptly avoids them growing into bigger, more costly problems down the track. Claims are often rejected where underlying deterioration or inadequate maintenance contributed to the damage. Plus, there’s the bonus of your home being more enjoyable to live in day-to-day when it’s taken care of.

That includes things like:

• Repairing leaks, dripping taps, rusted pipes and damaged fittings
• Clearing gutters and downpipes regularly and repairing loose roof tiles
• Managing the garden, including pruning trees that pose a risk.

2. Meet security and safety requirements

Many home building insurance policies require homes to meet certain minimum safety standards. That can include:

• Having smoke alarms installed and in working order
• Having locks on external doors and windows
• Keeping the property secure when nobody is home.

If you don’t meet these requirements, it can affect your insurance cover if damage arises from an incident such as a fire or burglary.

3. Comply with building laws, standards and codes

If you’re planning to upgrade your home, make sure you follow the rules and get all required approvals. That includes:

• Only undertaking repairs and modifications yourself where permitted
• Hiring licensed tradies to complete other works
• Getting proper approvals for renovations or additions.

Unsafe wiring, unlawful modifications or unapproved structures may result in exclusions to your coverage. If your insurer believes non-compliant work contributed to the damage, they may reduce or deny your claim.

4. Keep your insurer up to date

Under the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth), you must tell your insurer relevant information when you apply for or renew your cover. That can include prior damage or existing defects, renovations, changes in occupancy, or renting out the property.

Not disclosing the required information or changes may affect your cover later if you need to make a claim.

5. Maintain clear records

Good record-keeping protects you if you need to make a claim by demonstrating that you’ve met your obligations.

Keep copies of invoices for repairs, receipts from tradies, inspection reports and photos of maintenance. These provide evidence of your home being well maintained, secure and compliant if your insurer questions the cause of damage if you need to make a claim.

Why being prepared strengthens your claim

By understanding your policy terms, keeping your home well maintained, fulfilling your obligations, and keeping a clear paper trail, you’ll be in a much stronger position if you ever need to make a claim. Following these steps help avoid disputes about maintenance or preventable damage.

In the next article in our series, we’ll cover what to do when damage actually occurs.

This article was published on 8 April, 2026 by Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers and is based on the relevant state of the law (legislation, regulations and case law) at that date for the jurisdiction in which it is published. Please note this article does not constitute legal advice. If you ever need legal advice or want to discuss a legal problem, please contact us to see if we can help. You can reach us on 1800 059 278 or via the Contact us page on our website (www.codea.com.au).