Life 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 Rising Insurance Disputes Mean for Income Protection Customers
What Rising Insurance Disputes Mean for Income Protection Customers
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
New Zealand’s latest insurance dispute figures are a timely warning for anyone relying on personal cover to protect their household income. The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme reported that, for the year ended 30 June 2026, health insurance became the largest category of disputes it investigated for the first time, with health disputes up 91 percent and 833 dispute investigations completed across all categories. - read more
Crash Data Shows Where Truck Risk Is Shifting
Crash Data Shows Where Truck Risk Is Shifting
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
The 2026 National Truck Accident Research Centre major incident report gives Australian truck operators a useful, if challenging, snapshot of where serious heavy vehicle risk is changing. Released in October 2026 and based on de-identified NTI-insured heavy vehicle major-loss claims, the report points to progress on distraction and fatigue, while also highlighting renewed concern about inappropriate speed and following distance. - read more
Delayed Small Business Insurance Inquiry Keeps Cover Concerns on the Agenda
Delayed Small Business Insurance Inquiry Keeps Cover Concerns on the Agenda
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
A federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance has pushed back its reporting timetable, extending the wait for recommendations on insurance affordability, availability and regulation. Insurance News reported on 27 October 2026 that the inquiry, which had been expected to report that day, now intends to table its final report by 26 February 2027 after receiving extensive evidence from across the market. - read more
What the Insurance Code Rewrite Means for Shop Claims
What the Insurance Code Rewrite Means for Shop Claims
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia’s proposed overhaul of the General Insurance Code of Practice has moved from consultation to regulator review, with the Insurance Council of Australia lodging a strengthened code with ASIC on 22 October 2026. For shop owners, this is not an instant change to policy terms, but it is a significant development in how insurers may be expected to handle claims, complaints, vulnerability and customer communication in the next phase of the market. - read more
Why the SME Cyber Insurance Gap Is Becoming Harder to Ignore
Why the SME Cyber Insurance Gap Is Becoming Harder to Ignore
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori
New research from specialist insurer CFC, reported on 26 October 2026, has put a sharper number on a problem many Australian small businesses already sense: cyber risk is moving faster than insurance take-up. CFC’s local findings indicate seven in 10 Australian SMEs surveyed experienced a cyber incident in the past three years, while standalone cyber policy uptake is still estimated at only 10% to 15%. - read more


Life Insurance Articles

Understanding Various Life Insurance Types: Which One is Right for You?
Understanding Various Life Insurance Types: Which One is Right for You?
Financial security is one of the most important aspects of modern family life. Ensuring that loved ones are protected and well-supported in the event of an untimely death is a fundamental concern for many Australians. - read more
Life Insurance for Entrepreneurs: Protecting Your Business and Family
Life Insurance for Entrepreneurs: Protecting Your Business and Family
Life insurance is a financial product designed to provide a safety net for your loved ones and business in the event of your passing. At its core, life insurance aims to deliver financial protection by paying out a lump sum or ongoing payments to a designated beneficiary upon the insured's death. - read more
Life Insurance Essentials: Protecting Your Growing Aussie Family
Life Insurance Essentials: Protecting Your Growing Aussie Family
Life insurance remains one of the most crucial considerations for new parents aspiring to provide a secure future for their growing families. The arrival of a child marks a transformative moment, redefining priorities and responsibilities. At its core, life insurance is a safety net, designed to offer financial protection and stability to loved ones in the event of an unforeseen tragedy. - read more
Life Insurance Audit: Regular Check-Ups for Your Policy's Health
Life Insurance Audit: Regular Check-Ups for Your Policy's Health
Life insurance serves as a crucial safety net, guarding your loved ones against the unforeseen. Just as you would take care of your health through regular check-ups, it is equally important to ensure that your life insurance policy remains in sound condition to provide the necessary protection. - read more
Covering the Unexpected: A Guide to Trauma Insurance for Australian Families
Covering the Unexpected: A Guide to Trauma Insurance for Australian Families
Trauma insurance, also known as critical illness insurance, is a type of coverage that provides a lump sum payment in the event that the insured suffers from a critical illness or injury. Unlike health insurance, which covers medical expenses, trauma insurance is designed to provide financial protection by helping to cover the additional costs associated with recovery from a severe illness or injury. - read more

Knowledgebase
Insurance Deductible:
the amount that an insured is required to contribute toward an insurance claim as stipulated in an insurance policy. Otherwise known as the "policy excess".