Insurance responsibilities

Your responsibility

You could be required under the contract to take out public liability insurance, especially before work starts.  It protects you from serious financial loss if anyone is injured or killed, or has their property damaged, whilst on site.   

Your contractor’s responsibilities

Check that your contractor has met their insurance obligations in the contract. Most contracts require the contractor to have:    

• Public liability insurance  
• Contract works insurance (also known as construction works insurance).  

Contract works insurance applies throughout the construction period until handover and covers the site and materials against theft, vandalism, fire, storm, etc.  

Your contractor will also take out Queensland Home Warranty Insurance cover on your behalf. Cover under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme (QHWS) is mandatory for all residential construction work performed in Queensland. Your building contractor will collect the premium from you as part of the deposit and pay it to the QBCC on your behalf. This protects you if your contractor fails to complete the work or fails to rectify defects in the work. 

Next: Deposits and progress payments  

Additional resources  

YouTube  

View our pre-recorded information session for additional guidance on how to navigate the building and renovation process.    

Homeowner Information Webinar November 2023    

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