What Builders Insurance does

The Builders Insurance Broker (legal entity: Don Hutton Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd) is a specialist Australian general insurance brokerage focused on the building and construction industry. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Penshurst, NSW, the firm has operated continuously from the same location for over four decades and serves licensed builders, tradesmen, owner builders, architects and engineers, and personal/domestic clients across NSW and nationally. The company operates within the Steadfast Group, Australasia's largest general insurance broker network, and is a founding member of the National Insurance Brokers Association of Australia (NIBA). It holds AFSL 230650 and is an approved icare HBCF distributor with underwriting authority via a NSW HBCF agent, enabling same-day or 24-hour issuance of legislatively mandated Home Building Compensation Fund warranty certificates.

The product portfolio spans commercial insurance (business pack, cyber, public liability, architects/engineers, bush regenerators and landscapers), builder and trades insurance (HBCF builders warranty, contract works, display home, tools of trade, sickness and accident, professional indemnity, tradesman liability), owner builder coverage (construction and liability, voluntary workers), and personal/domestic lines (strata, landlord, brand new vacant home, build to rent). Supporting tools include the icare HBCF Builder Self Service Portal and online sum-insured calculators. The firm has no proprietary technology platform; its digital footprint consists of a content-oriented corporate website (buildersbroker.com.au), online enquiry and quote forms, and integrations with third-party payment processors (Ebix/OPG and Deft). Distribution is broker-mediated through a national 1300 number, walk-in office consultations, and online self-service.

The business model is commission-based brokerage: the firm places insurance with multiple carriers and earns commissions or fees from those arrangements, supplemented by a building-valuation referral service priced from A$600 + GST (with no referral fee earned). It is led by Wendy White (CFO & Director) and Martin White (General Manager & Director), with Don Hutton as founder. The company holds the "Specialist Brokerage of the Year" recognition and does not disclose revenue or headcount figures.

Name

Builders Insurance

Legal name

Don Hutton Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

Website

https://buildersbroker.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Builders Insurance Broker is a specialist Australian general insurance brokerage serving licensed builders, tradesmen, owner builders, and construction-sector clients with warranty, liability, contract works, and related covers, operating within the Steadfast Group network from Penshurst, NSW since 1978.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Brokerage (Construction & Building Industry Specialist)

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail (Personal Lines) Insurance Brokerage (FSAEADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Builders Risk / Course of Construction Insurance (FSAJACAF), Construction Specialty (Wrap-Ups/Builders Risk/Contractors) (FSAJAGAH)

Keywords

• Insurance brokerage services
• Builders warranty insurance
• Construction insurance brokerage
• Tradesman liability insurance
• Commercial insurance broking

Headquarters

HQ city

Penshurst

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Brokerage Commissions: The company earns commission income from arranging insurance policies on behalf of clients. As a licensed general insurance broker, they place business with insurers and earn commissions or fees from those arrangements. They deal with all Builders Warranty Insurers and Agents (except Queensland) and have underwriting authority with a NSW agent.
2. Professional Services (Building Valuations Referral): The broker refers clients to professional building valuers for building valuations (prices starting at $600 + GST for initial site visit and valuation, with two years of included desktop reviews). The broker notes they earn no referral fees from this service, ensuring unbiased recommendations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Builders Insurance Broker is a specialist general insurance brokerage that arranges and places insurance policies on behalf of clients—primarily licensed builders, tradesmen, construction businesses, architects/engineers, owner builders, and personal-lines customers—through multiple Australian insurers accessed via the Steadfast Group network. Core products include builders warranty (HBCF), contract works and liability, public/professional indemnity, tradesman liability, tools of trade, sickness and accident, display home, cyber, and personal/domestic covers.

Product overview

The Builders Insurance Broker (Don Hutton Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd) is a specialist insurance broker focused on the building and construction industry. The company operates as a platform offering multiple insurance products organized across several categories: commercial insurance (business, bush regenerators/landscapers, architects/engineers, public liability, cyber), builder/trades insurance (licensed builders warranty, contract works, display homes, tools of trade, sickness/accident, professional indemnity, tradesman liability), owner builder insurance (construction & liability, voluntary workers), and personal/domestic insurance. Key supporting tools include HBCF Builder Self Service Portal for online certificate management and Sum Insured Calculators for coverage assessment. The company provides access to leading Australian insurers and leverages the Steadfast network for competitive pricing and exclusive policy options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Builders Warranty Insurance (HBCF Home Warranty) Statutorily required home warranty insurance for NSW, ACT, VIC, SA and WA residential building contracts over the jurisdictional thresholds ($20,000 in NSW/WA; $12,000 in VIC/ACT/SA), protecting homeowners against faulty workmanship or non-completion of work by a licensed builder. Issued under the broker's underwriting authority with an NSW HBCF agent, typically within 24 hours of eligibility approval.
• Contract Works and Liability Insurance Construction-phase insurance covering damage to building projects during the build (fire, storm, malicious damage, impact, theft of materials) plus public liability for licensed builders.
• Display Home Insurance Specialist cover for residential properties used as display homes under lease-back arrangements, including building, landlord fixtures and fittings, loss of rent, public liability, and glass.
• Brand New Vacant Home For Sale Insurance Allianz-underwritten cover for brand new vacant homes being marketed for sale, providing building and public liability protection that most insurers decline.
• Build to Rent Insurance Insurance for property developments owned by a single developer or property owner, covering building, contents, loss of rent, and public liability for Torrens-titled units.
• Professional Indemnity for Licensed Builders Design and construct professional indemnity insurance for licensed builders covering legal liability for actual or alleged breaches arising from design issues.
• Public Liability Insurance Third-party liability cover for businesses against claims for personal injury or property damage arising from business activities.
• Tradesmans Insurance Combined package for tradesmen bundling tradesman liability, tools of trade, and sickness & accident cover for carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, tilers, painters, roofers, concretors, handymen, glaziers, fencers, and landscapers.
• Tradesman Liability Insurance Public liability cover for self-employed tradesmen with $10m or $20m sum insured options, covering third-party personal injury and property damage during the policy period.
• Tools of Trade Insurance Cover for work tools that are lost, stolen, or damaged in an accident, with new-for-old replacement at competitive premium rates.
• Sickness & Accident Insurance Income protection insurance covering mortgage and bills when the policyholder cannot work due to sickness or accident, including subcontractor replacement costs.
• Owner Builder Insurance Bundled service for owner builders combining construction and liability coverage, NSW owner builder warranty information, and voluntary workers insurance.
• Owner Builder Construction & Liability Insurance Construction-phase cover (also known as Contract Works Insurance) for owner-builders covering fire, storm, impact, wind/water damage, malicious damage, theft, and public liability during building or renovation.
• Voluntary Workers Insurance Low-cost insurance cover for owner builders, their declared spouse, and up to 6 helpers or volunteers, providing a weekly injury benefit of up to $300 per week for 26 weeks.
• Business Insurance Comprehensive business insurance pack covering premises, stock, equipment, and reputation protection for commercial clients of all sizes.
• Bush Regenerators & Landscapers Insurance Specialist cover for landscapers and bush regenerators bundling public/products liability, personal accident, tools, mobile plant and machinery, and professional indemnity.
• Cyber Insurance Coverage against cyber risks including breach of privacy, damage to networks/websites, virus transmission, third-party liability, and cyber extortion.
• Insurance for Architects & Engineers Tailored insurance solutions for architects and engineers bundling professional indemnity, property, public liability, and cyber liability coverage.
• Personal & Domestic Insurance Personal insurance solutions covering homes and contents including access to sum insured calculators and building valuations for strata owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• HBCF Warranty Certificates can typically be issued within 24 hours, often the same day, once Eligibility is approved.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Steadfast GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDon Hutton Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd t/s The Builders Insurance Broker is part of Australasia's largest general insurance broker network, the Steadfast Group. This partnership provides access to a wide range of insurance companies, broad product range, exclusive policy options, competitive pricing, and Steadfast's backing during claims.
• National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe company is a founding member of the National Insurance Brokers Association of Australia. NIBA sets professional standards for insurance brokers, provides the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice, and represents the industry. Membership demonstrates commitment to professional competence and consumer confidence.
• icare (Insurance & Care NSW) / HBCFcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Builders Insurance Broker is an approved icare HBCF (Home Building Compensation Fund) distributor. They have underwriting authority with a NSW HBCF agent and can issue HBCF Warranty Certificates, typically within 24 hours of eligibility approval. The broker facilitates 24/7 access to the HBCF Builder Self Service Portal.
• AllianzminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllianz underwrites the brand new vacant home insurance policy specifically negotiated for Builders Insurance Broker clients. This is a facility to provide cover for Brand New Vacant Homes that are for sale, as most insurers will not provide such coverage.
• Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)minorOthersThe broker is a member of AFCA, a free consumer service that independently assesses complaints. AFCA provides an escalation pathway for clients who are not satisfied with the broker's resolution of their complaint.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co (Australia): Major international insurance brokerage with an Australian construction and surety practice. Competes for placement of builders warranty, contract works, and construction liability programs at the upper end of the market.
• Aon Australia: One of Australia's largest insurance brokers with a broad commercial portfolio including construction and property risks. Comparable as a competing broker channel for mid-market builders and trades clients, though Aon operates at materially larger scale and broader scope.
• Lumley Insurance / IAG Broker Distribution: Distribution arm of Insurance Australia Group (IAG), one of Australia's largest general insurers, distributing through broker channels including construction and property lines. Comparable as a competing intermediary channel for builder and trades insurance placements.
• Marsh Australia: Global insurance broker and risk advisor with significant Australian commercial and construction practice. Overlaps with The Builders Insurance Broker on contract works, builders warranty, and professional indemnity placements for medium and large builders.

Direct peers

• Honan Insurance Group: Mid-sized Australian insurance broker with specialist trade and commercial divisions, similar in customer profile (tradespeople, builders, SMEs) and broker-led distribution model. Closely comparable in scale and specialization.
• AustBrokers: Australian general insurance broker network comparable in structure to Steadfast, providing mid-sized brokers with carrier panel access, marketing, and operational support. Highly relevant as The Builders Insurance Broker operates under a similar network-affiliated independent broker model.
• Insurance House Australia: Australian specialist insurance broker serving construction, trades, and commercial clients with multiple product lines. Comparable in vertical specialization and broker-led GTM.
• Blue Zebra Insurance Brokers: Australian broker network that empowers independent brokerages with shared services, marketing, and insurer access. Comparable to The Builders Insurance Broker as another network-affiliated regional specialist broker competing for similar SME and trades insurance customers.

Emerging players

• Trade Insurance Group: Specialist insurance broker focused on trades and construction businesses in Australia, targeting the same builders, electricians, plumbers, and contractors. Comparable as a niche specialist broker competing for the same primary customer segments.
• BizCover: Digital-first commercial insurance broker targeting Australian SMEs and trades with online quotes across multiple lines. Comparable as a competing channel for the same builders and tradesman customers, but differentiated by a low-touch, fully digital GTM that pressures traditional phone-led brokers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=b8Ip-f2sMjA
• Xx.com/buildersbroker
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheBuildersInsuranceBroker
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-builders-insurance-broker

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Builders Insurance