Ensuring the correct category of Construction is selected when issuing a VMIA DBI Certificate on the BuildVic portal.

As an authorised distributor of Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) in Victoria, we regularly monitor for changes to support our clients. Below we review some of our recent observations from builders using the BuildVic portal.

We have recently seen a significant number of DBI certificate application referrals due to incorrect Construction Categories being selected. To minimise delays with the issue of your DBI certificate and subsequent building permits, we have provided some guidance below.

Construction categories:

• C01 – New Single Dwelling Construction: This refers to the construction of a single new dwelling*.
• C03 – New Multi Dwelling Construction: This refers to the construction of 3 or more new dwellings* on the one site or under the one building contract.
• C04 – Alterations/Additions/Renovations – Structural – This refers to the Structural Alteration/Addition/Renovation of an existing single dwelling*.
• C06 – Refurbishment – Non Structural - This refers to the Non Structural Alteration/Addition/Renovation of an existing single dwelling*.
  1. If the project includes waterproofing or wet area work, then for insurance purposes, the VMIA will charge the structural rate.
  2. If the project has a contract value in excess of $100K, then the VMIA will charge the structural rate.

Alteration/Addition Projects applied for incorrectly as New Single Dwellings

We are commonly seeing certificate applications for structural renovations referred for review where C01 – New Single Dwelling is selected in lieu of C04 – Alterations/Additions/Renovations - Structural. We note that the C01 is selected by default when you are applying for a certificate on BuildVic and it is important to check and select the correct category.

By selecting the incorrect category, where the structural renovation is applied for under a C01 – New Single Dwelling (instead of the correct C04) and is under $200k, the insurer will require additional information in support of the certificate application including a copy of the contract and scope of works). We will normally identify that the certificate application is intended to be a C04 certificate application in this circumstance and will assist with the withdrawal and reissue of the certificate correctly.

Where the structural renovation is applied for under a C01– New Single Dwelling (instead of the correct C04) and is over $200k, BuildVic will issue the certificate (where you have the appropriate C01 category limit). In this circumstance we are typically notified of the incorrect construction category on review by your building surveyor.

In this situation, we are required to submit an application for the amendment of the certificate which can cause delays with your permit issue and commencement of the project.

If you are having trouble or need assistance with your DBI applications, a HIA Insurance Services specialist can support your business. We are a specialist insurance broker for the residential construction industry and are a distributor for DBI in Victoria.