Help centre

Please treat our people with courtesy and respect

We appreciate the difficult situation faced by people affected by the collapse of Porter Davis.

We’re here to help. That means trying to get you through the claims process as quickly as possible, while making sure you’re protected from further risks and potential problems. That’s our job, and our responsibility to you, as an insurer.

It works best when we’re working together. That includes treating our people with the same respect and courtesy that everyone’s entitled to. There’s no room for abuse, aggression, or inappropriate language or behaviour – whether it’s online, in person, in writing, or on the phone.

Most people do the right thing, and we’re grateful for your understanding as we do all we can to have claims processed as quickly as possible.

In Victoria it is mandatory for builders to purchase domestic building insurance (DBI) for all domestic building projects, where the contract price is over $16,000.

Builders must purchase DBI before demanding or receiving money under a major domestic building contract. Failing to do so is an offence. The Victorian Building Authority may issue penalties exceeding $46,000 for natural persons and $230,000 for body corporates, or exceeding $96,000 for natural persons and $480,000 for body corporates if the conduct has been committed knowingly or recklessly.

Builders wishing to purchase DBI from VMIA are required to hold eligibility with us.

In order to gain eligibility, a builder will have to apply through one of the listed Distributors.

Eligibility is the term VMIA uses to describe a builder’s pre-approval to apply to purchase DBI for specific building projects. It sets out the specific building projects the builder has approval to apply to purchase DBI for.

VMIA’s panel of DBI Distributors provides builders with access to VMIA DBI. Builders must choose one of the DBI Distributors from which to obtain VMIA DBI, or work with their insurance broker to choose a DBI Distributor. The panel of DBI Distributors listed can use our system to process and administer DBI on your behalf. Each DBI Distributor's contact details and links to their websites are set under 'List of DBI distributors and their contact details'.

If you are a new builder seeking to apply for eligibility, please contact a DBI Distributor directly.

If you are a builder with current eligibility and you wish to nominate a new DBI distributor, please complete the nomination form [PDF, 444KB] and provide to the new DBI Distributor.

Builders wanting to purchase VMIA DBI using an insurance broker who is not a DBI Distributor can still do so. However, you must still nominate a DBI Distributor for your broker to deal with. Your insurance broker will be able to guide you through this process.

To apply for eligibility, please contact one of the DBI Distributors and obtain an Eligibility Application form. You will then need to complete the form and submit it along with the required supporting documentation to your nominated DBI Distributor.

Please ensure you read through the Assessment of Eligibility [PDF, 88KB] for further information before you apply. Select link to see a list of the DBI Distributors.

BuildVic is VMIA’s online portal that enables builders to purchase DBI online directly via a computer or mobile device.

BuildVic enables builders to:

• Obtain a Letter of eligibility.
• Purchase Certificates of Insurance.
• Apply for an Eligibility Review of their:
  • Overall Construction Limit; and
  • Individual Job Limits. 

Please note, in order to access VMIA DBI and the BuildVic portal, you need to have first nominated a DBI Distributor.

No. The Letter of Eligibility simply sets out the terms of your eligibility with VMIA. You need to apply for and purchase a separate DBI Certificate of Insurance for each building project you undertake valued at $16,000 or more. Contact your nominated DBI Distributor for more information.

Please contact your nominated DBI Distributor to receive access to BuildVic.

You will receive an email containing your login details once your application for eligibility has been processed, assessed and approved.

Please contact your nominated DBI Distributor for updates on the status of your application.

Please contact your nominated DBI Distributor for any further questions. If you do not have one, please nominate a DBI Distributor.