--- title: "Strata Insurance Claims Process" url: https://australianproperty.network/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37100/series-37140/ date: 2026-08-11 modified: 2026-09-06 lang: en author: "Nicklas Clark" description: "Technical Reference 37140  —  Strata Insurance Claims Process Strata & Body Corporate Insurance (37100) 1Overview Node 37140 addresses the process by which an owners corporation or lot owner notifies, progresses,..." word_count: 702 --- # Strata Insurance Claims Process Technical Reference ### 37140  —  Strata Insurance Claims Process Strata & Body Corporate Insurance (37100) 1 #### Overview Node 37140 addresses the process by which an owners corporation or lot owner notifies, progresses, and resolves a claim under a strata scheme's insurance policy. Claims affecting common property or the building itself are generally managed by the owners corporation, typically through its strata manager, while claims relating to a lot owner's individual contents or improvements are managed separately by the lot owner under their own policy. The claims process for common property matters typically begins with formal notification to the insurer, followed by assessment of the loss, determination of any applicable excess, and coordination of approved repairs. Where a claim originates from a specific lot — for example a burst pipe within a unit affecting common property — scheme by-laws often address how any excess is allocated between the owners corporation and the responsible lot owner. Disputes over a claim decision may be pursued through internal insurer review and, where unresolved, external dispute resolution. This node is intended for owners corporations, strata managers, lot owners, and insurers engaged in the strata insurance claims process, applying the general framework addressed in node 37100 to the claims handling context specifically. 2 #### Scope & Boundaries This node addresses the process by which strata insurance claims are notified, progressed, and resolved. It does not address the substantive cover provided under the scheme's building insurance, addressed in node 37110, common property and liability cover, addressed in node 37120, or lot owner insurance obligations, addressed in node 37130. Scope Note This node describes the general strata insurance claims process as at the time of writing. The specific claims procedure and excess allocation applicable to a given scheme should be confirmed against the scheme's policy document and registered by-laws. 3 #### Key Concepts Claim Notification The initial step of formally advising the relevant insurer of a loss event, generally undertaken by the strata manager on the owners corporation's behalf for common property or building claims. Excess The amount payable by the owners corporation or lot owner before insurance cover responds, with the allocation of excess between parties often addressed in scheme by-laws where a claim originates from a specific lot. Repair Coordination The process by which an owners corporation, typically through its strata manager, coordinates approved repairs following a successful common property or building claim. Insurance Dispute Resolution The process available to a lot owner or owners corporation to challenge a claim decision, including internal insurer review and, where unresolved, external dispute resolution mechanisms. 4 #### Regulatory & Legal Framework - Strata Schemes Management Act (state-based, for example the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) and equivalent legislation in other states) Relevant state strata regulator Sets procedural requirements for claims affecting common property. - Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth) Australian Securities and Investments Commission Governs the insurer's claims handling obligations and timeframes. - Australian Financial Complaints Authority scheme ASIC-approved external dispute resolution body Provides a pathway for resolving unresolved insurance claim disputes. 5 #### Practical Application | Scenario | Application | Outcome | | -------- | ----------- | ------- | | A storm damages a strata building's roof | The strata manager notifies the insurer and coordinates the claim on behalf of the owners corporation | The common property claim progresses through the scheme's designated process | | A lot owner disputes the excess allocated to them following a claim originating in their lot | The matter is addressed by reference to the scheme's by-laws on excess allocation | Responsibility for the excess is resolved according to the scheme's rules | | An owners corporation disagrees with an insurer's claim decision | The owners corporation pursues internal review and, if unresolved, external dispute resolution via the Australian Financial Complaints Authority | The dispute is progressed through the available resolution pathway | 6 #### Cross-Series References [ 37100 Strata & Body Corporate Insurance General framework for strata and body corporate insurance, applied here to the claims handling context specifically. ](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37100/) Findings are presented on the basis of data and evidence alone. Node Parameters Node ID37140 Series37000 Property & Casualty Insurance (Technical) Sub-Series37100 Strata & Body Corporate Insurance RegisterTechnical Reference Standard JurisdictionAustralia (all states & territories) StatusPublished In This Sub-Series - [37110Strata Building Insurance Requirements](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37100/series-37110/) - [37120Common Property & Liability Cover](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37100/series-37120/) - [37130Lot Owner Insurance Obligations](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37100/series-37130/) - [37140Strata Insurance Claims Process](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37100/series-37140/) Related Analytical Nodes - [37000Property & Casualty Insurance (Technical)](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/) - [37200Landlord Insurance](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37200/) - [37300Climate & Catastrophe Risk Insurance](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37300/) - [37400Construction & Development Insurance](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37400/) - [37500Professional Indemnity & Liability](/apn-codex/series-30000/series-37000/series-37500/)