Can I Choose My Own Builder for Insurance Repairs in Victoria?
The short answer is yes. Victorian homeowners have a legal right to choose their own licensed builder for insurance repairs — and in most cases, doing so delivers a faster, higher-quality outcome than accepting the insurer's panel builder.
Key Takeaway
- Yes — you can choose your own licensed builder for insurance repairs in Victoria
- You are entitled to request a cash settlement instead of using a panel builder
- Contact a licensed builder BEFORE your insurer assigns a panel builder
- A cash settlement quote from a licensed builder is the key to exercising this right
What Does the Law Say About Choosing Your Builder?
In Victoria, your rights around insurance repairs are governed by your insurance policy, the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Commonwealth), and relevant state consumer protection laws. While the specifics vary by insurer and policy, the general principle is well established: you are not obligated to accept the insurer's panel builder as the only option.
Most domestic building insurance policies in Victoria contain provisions that allow you to request a cash settlement — where the insurer pays you the assessed repair value, and you engage a licensed builder of your choice to complete the work. This is your right, and insurers cannot legally refuse a reasonable cash settlement request provided the amount reflects the actual cost of reinstatement.
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) both recognise homeowners' rights in this area — and AFCA has consistently upheld homeowners' rights to reasonable cash settlements in building insurance disputes.
Why Would I Want to Choose My Own Builder?
This is the important question — and the answer is almost always the same once homeowners understand how the panel builder system works.
The Panel Builder Experience
- 3–6+ month wait times before work begins
- Unknown trades assigned to your home
- Multiple contractors with no accountability
- Minimum standard repairs — not necessarily what you want
- Poor communication — you're a claim number
- Limited ability to upgrade or improve
- Disputes about what's included
Choosing Your Own Builder
- Work starts within weeks of settlement
- A builder you chose and trust
- One point of accountability for everything
- Quality repairs that meet your expectations
- Direct communication with your builder
- Option to upgrade while repairs are done
- Clear, fixed-price scope of works
How to Choose Your Own Builder for Insurance Repairs — Step by Step
Contact a licensed builder BEFORE lodging your claim
This is the most critical step. Once your insurer assigns a panel builder, your options narrow significantly. Contact Brownlow Building as soon as damage occurs — before your insurer has a chance to assign anyone.
Get a professional cash settlement quotation
We prepare a detailed, professional quotation specifically formatted for cash settlement purposes. This document outlines the full scope of repairs, itemised costs, and our licensing credentials — everything your insurer needs to process a cash settlement.
Request a cash settlement from your insurer
Armed with our quotation, you formally request a cash settlement from your insurer. Your request should be in writing. Reference your policy terms and request the insurer pay you the assessed repair value to engage your chosen licensed builder.
Negotiate if the insurer's assessment differs
Sometimes the insurer's assessor will value repairs lower than our quotation. We assist you through this negotiation — insurers often accept our quotations once they see the detailed, professional documentation we provide.
We begin work
Once settlement is agreed, we commence work immediately — typically within 2–4 weeks. You receive regular updates, fixed-price certainty, and quality repairs backed by comprehensive warranties.
Critical timing tip: Call Brownlow Building on (03) 8351 5753 the same day damage occurs — before you contact your insurer if possible. Once a panel builder is assigned, requesting a change becomes significantly more difficult and may require a formal complaint through AFCA.
What If My Insurer Refuses My Cash Settlement Request?
While most insurers will accommodate a reasonable cash settlement request supported by a professional quotation, some do push back. If your insurer refuses, you have several options:
Request an Internal Review
Ask the insurer to review their decision. Provide supporting documentation, including our professional quotation and any evidence that panel builder delays or quality concerns are impacting you.
Lodge an AFCA Complaint
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is a free dispute resolution service. AFCA has historically supported homeowners' rights to reasonable cash settlements in building insurance disputes.
Engage a Loss Assessor
An independent loss assessor represents your interests in the claim process. They're often effective at negotiating cash settlement outcomes with insurers.
What Types of Insurance Repairs Can I Choose My Own Builder For?
You can request a cash settlement and choose your own builder for virtually any type of domestic building insurance claim, including:
Brownlow Building — Melbourne's Insurance Repair Builder of Choice
Brownlow Building (VBA Licence CDB-U 100870) have been helping Melbourne homeowners exercise their right to choose their own builder , drawing on more than 40 years of combined construction experience. We specialise in preparing cash settlement quotations accepted by all major Australian domestic building insurers and VMIA.
Our directors Mark and James Bell personally manage every insurance repair project — ensuring the quality, accountability, and clear communication that panel builders routinely fail to deliver. For more information, visit our dedicated insurance repair builder Melbourne page, or read our full cash settlement guide.
Need an Insurance Repair Builder in Melbourne?
Contact Brownlow Building today — before your insurer assigns a panel builder. We'll assess your damage and prepare a professional cash settlement quotation.
Licensed Builder CDB-U 100870 · VMIA Approved · All Major Insurers · Melbourne & Victoria