Cyber Insurance Online :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Insurance Challenges Loom for Property Owners with Faulty Infrastructure

Insurance Challenges Loom for Property Owners with Faulty Infrastructure

Insurance Challenges Loom for Property Owners with Faulty Infrastructure?w=400

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

In a troubling situation affecting many Western Australian families, defective plumbing is creating significant financial and emotional distress, as insurers increasingly shy away from covering homes plagued by repeated water leaks.

A particular type of resin-based plumbing, Iplex’s Pro-fit Typlex 1050, has been identified as a repeat offender in this scenario, with homeowners finding themselves in a bind when it comes to home and contents insurance. Prominent insurers such as RAC and QBE have notably declined to continue coverage for properties where these pipes frequently fail, leading to damaging and disruptive water bursts.

The issue was first reported by The West Australian, shedding light on the growing population of homeowners grappling with denied insurance renewals. The severity of financial setbacks has prompted many affected families to seek alternative solutions to rectify these faulty installations swiftly.

It is not just a looming threat to homeowners’ peace of mind; this situation further inhibits property sales. Prospective buyers are deterred by the potential liability and subsequent insurance hurdles, thereby adding to the woes faced by current homeowners. This dynamic introduces an unexpected twist into the property market, where selling typically gives rise to new beginnings rather than fresh complications.

The impacts of faulty infrastructure extend beyond inconvenience. Affected homeowners are forced to undertake immediate renovation works to replace these pipes, often shouldering hefty costs. This predicament is particularly harsh in cases where properties could otherwise gain quick market traction. Recent examples illustrate situations where real estate sales came late in the process, once all essential rectifications and confirmations of insurance renewals were in place.

To mitigate these risks, experts recommend a proactive approach of engaging qualified inspectors to ascertain potential liability points in plumbing systems during pre-purchase inspections, an extra safeguard for both buyers and sellers.

Simultaneously, organizations servicing the plumbing industry emphasize the need for increased regulatory scrutiny and manufacturer guarantees on fittings and materials. By addressing these root causes, the cycle of insurance denial can be broken, fostering greater stability in property transactions.

The urgency to remove faulty piping systems quickly reflects not only residents' frustration but also the necessity for changes within the industry, aiming to alleviate the burden on those caught in this web of insurance and infrastructure woes.

Published:Tuesday, 15th Oct 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

What a Major Quad Bike Fine Means for Farm Risk
What a Major Quad Bike Fine Means for Farm Risk
03 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
A recent quad bike fatality case in New South Wales has put farm safety, workplace liability and risk management back under close attention. ABC Rural reported on 2 July 2026 that Wumbulgal Agriculture Pty Ltd was fined $555,000 after an 82-year-old worker died in a quad bike accident at Yenda in the Riverina in February 2023. The company was found to have breached work health and safety obligations. - read more
What DVA’s 2027 Allied Health Changes Mean for Provider Risk
What DVA’s 2027 Allied Health Changes Mean for Provider Risk
03 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has confirmed a significant change to the way allied health care for eligible veterans will be funded from 1 July 2027. The reform combines higher provider fees with the removal of the current treatment cycle and the introduction of a $5,000 annual allied health expenditure threshold for review of clinical effectiveness. - read more
Draft Insurance Code Puts Claims Standards Back in Focus
Draft Insurance Code Puts Claims Standards Back in Focus
03 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
The Insurance Council of Australia has opened public consultation on a redrafted General Insurance Code of Practice, with feedback invited from 24 June 2026 until 21 July 2026. For fitness professionals, this is more than an insurance-sector process. It is a timely reminder that the value of a policy is tested not only by the premium, but by what happens when a claim, complaint or vulnerable customer situation arises. - read more
APRA’s Cyber Data Shift: What Consultants Should Watch
APRA’s Cyber Data Shift: What Consultants Should Watch
03 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
APRA’s latest move on insurance data may sound technical, but it has practical implications for Australian consultants reviewing their risk programmes. The regulator has confirmed it will separately publish cyber insurance and management liability data within the National Claims and Policies Database, rather than leaving those lines blended into broader liability categories. - read more
Why Crane and Rigging Risks Are Testing Construction Insurance Programmes
Why Crane and Rigging Risks Are Testing Construction Insurance Programmes
03 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
A new crane and rigging insurance facility in Australia has put a spotlight on a practical problem that many high-risk contractors already understand: when one job is insured across several policies, a loss can become a dispute about which insurer should respond. - read more


Cyber Insurance Articles

Protect Your Data: Cyber Security Measures Every Aussie Company Must Implement
Protect Your Data: Cyber Security Measures Every Aussie Company Must Implement
In today’s digital landscape, Australian companies face an increasing threat from cyber criminals. The paramount importance of cybersecurity has never been more evident, with the surge of incidents exposing the vulnerabilities in organizations' digital defenses. As we usher into an era where data breaches and cyber attacks are commonplace, protecting digital assets becomes a crucial part of doing business. - read more
Cyber Insurance 101: What Every Australian Business Owner Needs to Know
Cyber Insurance 101: What Every Australian Business Owner Needs to Know
Cyber insurance, also known as cyber liability insurance, is a type of coverage designed to protect businesses from the financial repercussions of cyber attacks and data breaches. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the need for a safety net to mitigate the impact of such incidents has grown significantly. - read more
Strengthen Your Defences: Implementing Effective Cybersecurity Protocols
Strengthen Your Defences: Implementing Effective Cybersecurity Protocols
In today's digital age, understanding the cyber threat landscape in Australia is not just important—it's essential. Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated and are affecting businesses and individuals at an alarming rate. Common types of cyber attacks include phishing, ransomware, and data breaches, each with the potential to cause significant harm. The impact of cybersecurity breaches on both the economy and the reputation of affected entities is profound, ranging from financial loss to long-lasting reputational damage. - read more
Navigating the Aftermath: Your Cyber Attack Recovery Roadmap
Navigating the Aftermath: Your Cyber Attack Recovery Roadmap
In an age where digital presence intertwines with daily operations, the threat landscape in Australia has magnified, exposing businesses to an evolving array of cyber threats. From sophisticated phishing attempts to ransomware attacks, the risk of digital insecurity looms large. Australia, with its growing technological adoption, finds itself facing an upsurge in cyber threat incidents year over year. - read more
Understanding the Cost of Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses and How to Avoid Them
Understanding the Cost of Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses and How to Avoid Them
Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyber attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money from users, or interrupting normal business processes. - read more

Knowledgebase
Claim Adjuster:
An insurance professional who investigates and evaluates insurance claims to determine the amount the insurance company should pay.