ACT: Who pays for damage to glass windows, panels and sliding doors in strata — accidental or due to defective workmanship?

Question: In the event of damage to glass windows/panels and sliding doors, whether this is accidental or through defective workmanship or construction, who pays for the remediation of the damage?

I am trying to understand Strata Insurance responsibilities in ACT.

In the ACT, owners can’t insure their property for building cover as this is an owners corporation responsibility, subsequently, owners can only insure for contents with no such additions of cover for things like glass breakage for windows available to policyholders.

In the event of damage to glass windows/panels and sliding doors, whether this is accidental or through defective workmanship or construction, who pays for the remediation of the damage?

Is through the Strata Building Insurance?

Answer: While the owners corporation has the responsibility to insure property inside a lot, outside of an insurance claim, they may not be responsible for maintaining that property.

It is important to understand that while the owners corporation has the responsibility to insure property inside a lot, outside of an insurance claim, they may not be responsible for maintaining that property.

For any damage/maintenance/defect issues on a strata property there are two considerations regarding rectification works.

The first consideration is whether there is an insurance claim. Most strata polices will cover sudden and accidental loss not otherwise excluded under the policy. In the case of defects and maintenance issues, these items will not be covered by the strata insurance policy, but an event causing sudden and accidental damage (like most glass breakage claims) a claim can be considered.

Tyrone Shandiman
Strata Insurance Solutions
E: tshandiman@iaa.net.au
P: 1300 554 165

This information is of a general nature only and neither represents nor is intended to be personal advice on any particular matter. Shandit Pty Ltd T/as Strata Insurance Solutions strongly suggests that no person should act specifically on the basis of the information in this document, but should obtain appropriate professional advice based on their own personal circumstances. Shandit Pty Ltd T/As Strata Insurance Solutions is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 404246) of Insurance Advisenent Australia AFSL No 240549, ABN 15 003 886 687.