Masterpiece Plumbing Health Check
Chubb Masterpiece is introducing the Plumbing Health Check
At Chubb we look for ways to do more for our policyholders. Based on years of experience from checking the conditions of flexi-hoses at home appraisals, Chubb’s Risk Consulting team has created the Masterpiece Plumbing Health Check available to select Victorian-based policyholders from 1 January 2025.
This initiative is designed to help reduce the risk of a Masterpiece policyholder experiencing internal water damage – one of the leading causes of property damage in Australia.
What causes internal water damage?
The primary cause of internal water damage is the failure of flexible plumbing hoses, or flexi-hoses. 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 tell us that flexi-hoses, particularly the metal braided 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.
What does the Plumbing Health Check involve?
The Plumbing Health Check involves the completion of a Plumbing Health Checklist. This provides Chubb Masterpiece policyholders with the opportunity to work with a licensed plumber to conduct a thorough inspection of the flexi-hoses within their home.
The checklist outlines key wet areas within a home where flexi-hoses may exist. It also sets out the requirements for conducting a successful plumbing health check, including:
The inspection will need to be conducted by a licensed plumber, with costs agreed, and paid for, by the Masterpiece policyholder. To assist policyholders, Chubb has established a panel of reputable licensed plumbers who are conversant in the requirements of the Plumbing Health Check.
Advantages of completing a Plumbing Health Check
Premium discount
All eligible Masterpiece policyholders that complete a Plumbing Health Check and comply with its requirements will be entitled to a premium discount. The extent of this discount will vary depending on the specific policy.
Reduce risks
Reduce the risk of a potentially major water damage loss that could result in policyholders having to move out of their homes.
Eligibility for a Plumbing Health Check
For selected policyholders, the Plumbing Health Check will be required as a condition of the Masterpiece policy (subject to sums insured, age of home, occupancy or claims history).
Outside of these selected policyholders, Masterpiece Victorian-based policyholders who have a home that exceeds 10 years of age or has undergone renovations more than 10 years ago, may also be eligible for this initiative.
If there is a policyholder who may be interested in this initiative where it is not a condition of their policy, please confer with a Chubb Personal Lines underwriter to ascertain the policyholder’s eligibility.
Plumbing Health Check: Step by step process - guide for brokers
-
Checklist provided at renewal
For select Masterpiece policyholders where the Plumbing Health Check will be a requirement, brokers will receive a link to the Plumbing Health Checklist with the policyholder’s renewal documentation. For other policyholders where confirmed eligible, Chubb will provide a copy of the checklist to brokers.
-
Policyholder to request plumber*
To assist, Chubb has established a panel of reputable licensed plumbers who are conversant in the requirements of the Plumbing Health Check.
-
Plumber to complete checklist at policyholder’s home
Plumber to complete the checklist and undertake any work identified.
-
Masterpiece policyholder returns completed checklist to broker
Policyholders to return a copy of the checklist to their broker along with the plumber’s invoice for the completed works as confirmation.
-
Broker to return checklist to Chubb
Broker to forward the completed checklist and plumber’s invoice to their dedicated Chubb underwriter.
*Policyholders 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. 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 providing the information contained in the checklist.
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.