Pool Installer - Contract Works Insurance ?

LemSta · Feb 11, 2023 10:32 am

Hi,

The fibreglass pool installer we are looking at using for a "sleeper" pool install in QLD doesn't have contract works insurance.. is this a big deal?

They do have public and product liability insurance.

We are planning a construction loan including house and pool.. does anyone know if most banks require the pool company to also have contract works insurance (I know most require the home builder to have it)?

As the site has retaining walls on 3 sides (it's a series of 'terrace' style blocks where the west is 1.8m higher than ours, and rear and east are 1.8m lower than ours), access after the build would be a challenge, especially to crane in the pool shell (additionally, the road is also on an incline which I imagine also adds to the complexity).

Does anyone know if the installers public liability insurance would be expected to cover any accidents adversely impacting our retaining walls during the construction ? I assume any engineering design issues would be covered by the engineers insurance, but want to make sure if someone drives a too heavy excavator too close to the wall, we've got some recourse.

Thank you very much for any information you can provide.
Michael

Benny123 · Feb 11, 2023 12:03 pm

LemSta

Hi,

The fibreglass pool installer we are looking at using for a "sleeper" pool install in QLD doesn't have contract works insurance.. is this a big deal?

They do have public and product liability insurance.

We are planning a construction loan including house and pool.. does anyone know if most banks require the pool company to also have contract works insurance (I know most require the home builder to have it)?

As the site has retaining walls on 3 sides (it's a series of 'terrace' style blocks where the west is 1.8m higher than ours, and rear and east are 1.8m lower than ours), access after the build would be a challenge, especially to crane in the pool shell (additionally, the road is also on an incline which I imagine also adds to the complexity).

Does anyone know if the installers public liability insurance would be expected to cover any accidents adversely impacting our retaining walls during the construction ? I assume any engineering design issues would be covered by the engineers insurance, but want to make sure if someone drives a too heavy excavator too close to the wall, we've got some recourse.

Thank you very much for any information you can provide.
Michael

If the pool installer has public liability insurance then he will be covered for any third party property damage or bodily injury as a result of his negligence.

Contract works insurance is a combined material damage (of the build whilst underway and materials on site etc.) and public liability policy. Any builder who is the principal contractor needs this cover.

I am an insurance broker and used to sell a few contract works policies, but it's been a while and I have forgotten a thing or two, so hopefully others can chime in.

However I believe that if the swimming pool company is the principal contractor for the job, and is responsible for any damage or theft of the pool shell or related items, then they should have a contract works policy. Otherwise, a stand alone public liability policy should be sufficient.

Maybe ask the question, who is responsible for the pool shell if it's damaged during installation. Any damage to your retaining walls is covered by the pool installers public liability if they are deemed negligent.

LemSta · Feb 11, 2023 12:06 pm

Thanks very much for your response, Benny.

Just to clarify, am I considered a 'third party' for the pool builders public liability insurance ? Or would that only cover damage to a neighbours property ?

Benny123 · Feb 11, 2023 12:13 pm

LemSta

Thanks very much for your response, Benny.

Just to clarify, am I considered a 'third party' for the pool builders public liability insurance ? Or would that only cover damage to a neighbours property ?

You are absolutely considered a third party unless you are doing things as an owner builder, which I presume you are not.