A homeowner who called in a gas fitter to fix damaged ductwork has lost his bid to have the faulty work covered under his insurer’s lifetime repair guarantee.  

The man lodged a claim in October 2022 for problems caused by a leak, and Insurance Manufacturers of Australia agreed to cover repairs.  

In a dispute before the industry ombudsman, the homeowner said the insurer told him it could not complete the duct job and he should arrange a repairer, for which he would be reimbursed.  

The gas fitter’s installation was later deemed incorrect – it allowed vermin to damage the ducts.  

Insurance Manufacturers of Australia denied refusing to complete the work. It said it allowed the man to engage a tradie because he was concerned the claim process would take too long and contribute to further damage.  

The insurer said it arranged for two restorers to complete make-safe repairs but the claimant rejected them. The homeowner argued this was not relevant to the dispute.  

But the Australian Financial Complaints Authority says this shows the insurer responded to the issue and the man was not “forced to arrange the heating repairs”.  

It says a call recording shows the insurer’s agent told the homeowner it would need to review the fitter’s report before committing to cover the cost of the work.    

The insurer approved the request to arrange repairs and reimbursed the man, but it is not obliged to offer its repair guarantee because it neither authorised nor appointed the gas fitter, an AFCA ombudsman says.

“It was the complainant who selected, engaged and authorised his chosen repairer to replace the ductwork.

“The complainant says by the insurer approving him proceeding with the duct repairs, the insurer authorised his repairer, so it became one of the insurer’s preferred repairers.

“I am not satisfied the insurer made any representation to this effect, or otherwise indicated to the complainant that the repairer he selected would be covered by the lifetime repair guarantee.”  

See the ruling here.