Application
This endorsement attaches to and forms part of the Meridian Professional Indemnity Insurance wording, version 1.5.0-DRAFT (document reference 2026/PI/0001), referred to here as the base wording. It changes the base wording only as set out below. All other terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of the base wording continue to apply.
Words defined in the base wording have the same meaning in this endorsement. Where this endorsement and the base wording conflict, this endorsement applies to the extent of the conflict.
The same terms are published as a single integrated wording, Building Energy and Sustainability Professional Indemnity Insurance, version 1.1.0-DRAFT. Both documents are generated from the same source and have the same effect.
Replaced: Professional services
The definition of Professional services in the base wording is deleted and replaced with the following.
Professional services
The following services provided to a third party for a fee:
(a) building energy and water ratings and assessments, including under NatHERS, BASIX, NABERS, Green Star and the Commercial Building Disclosure Program;
(b) energy and water audits;
(c) advice on energy efficiency and renewable energy options, other than the design of solar or battery systems;
(d) embodied carbon assessments and advice on climate-related disclosure, other than assurance engagements; and
(e) any other service shown in the schedule as a professional service.
The Financial Services exclusion does not apply to the advice on climate-related disclosure in (d), including advice on a sustainability report under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), unless the work involves financial product advice, dealing in a financial product or a credit activity.
[WP REVIEW: confirm whether the NatHERS, BASIX, NABERS, Green Star or Commercial Building Disclosure accreditation schemes set any minimum insurance terms. If they do, the Compulsory Insurance Requirements condition applies.]
Added: Scheme Administrator Inquiries
The following extension is added to the base wording, after the Subcontractors and Outsourcers extension.
Scheme Administrator Inquiries
We also pay defence costs under the Inquiry Costs extension for an audit, investigation or inquiry into your work by a body that accredits you, or by the administrator of a rating or certificate scheme under which you work, that is prompted by a complaint, an allegation or a suspected breach. For this purpose that audit, investigation or inquiry is treated as a formal investigation or inquiry by a regulator.
This extension does not cover the cost of a routine audit, spot check or compliance review that the body or administrator carries out as part of its regular monitoring, and not because of a complaint, allegation or suspected breach.
Added: Construction Work
The following exclusion is added to the base wording, after the Products exclusion.
Construction Work
Arising from physical construction, installation, fabrication or demolition work carried out by you or on your behalf, or from defects in raw materials or goods you supplied.
This exclusion does not apply to design, contract administration, site inspection, site observation or certification services that you provide as part of your professional services.
Added: Guarantees of Savings or Ratings
The following exclusion is added to the base wording, after the Contractual Liability exclusion.
Guarantees of Savings or Ratings
Arising from any guarantee or warranty that you give of energy or water savings, a rating outcome, or a financial return, except to the extent that you would have been liable without that guarantee or warranty.
Building Energy and Sustainability Endorsements
The following endorsements apply to this policy only when the schedule shows that they apply.
Energy Certificate Schemes Exclusion
We do not cover any claim, loss or liability arising from the creation, registration or surrender of certificates under an energy efficiency or renewable energy certificate scheme, including the NSW Energy Savings Scheme and the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
Questions
- What percentage of your fees in the last 12 months came from creating certificates under an energy efficiency or renewable energy certificate scheme?
qs.pi.es.certificate_schemes_pct
Default rules (the first rule that matches applies; agencies may set their own actions and thresholds)
- When
qs.pi.es.certificate_schemes_pct > 25: Refer to the underwriter, with the endorsement pre-selected
Reason shown on the quote and schedule: Applies because {qs.pi.es.certificate_schemes_pct}% of your fees come from creating energy saving certificates.
Climate Disclosure Sub-limit
For all claims arising from advice on climate-related financial disclosure, including sustainability reports under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the most we will pay in total, including defence costs, is the sub-limit shown in the schedule for this endorsement. The sub-limit is part of, and not in addition to, the limit of liability.
Questions
- What percentage of your fees in the last 12 months came from advice on climate-related financial disclosure?
qs.pi.es.climate_reporting_pct
Default rules (the first rule that matches applies; agencies may set their own actions and thresholds)
- When
qs.pi.es.climate_reporting_pct > 0: Suggest to the underwriter (quote not held)
Underwriter responses (on a referral or suggestion): Attach; Attach with amended sub-limit; Do not attach
Reason shown on the quote and schedule: Applies because you advise on mandatory climate reporting.
Combustible Cladding Exclusion
We do not cover any claim, loss or liability arising from the use, or proposed use, in a building of external wall cladding that is combustible or that does not comply with the National Construction Code, including aluminium composite panels with a polyethylene core and expanded polystyrene products. This applies to any design, specification, selection, certification, inspection or approval of that cladding, and to any advice about it.
Questions
- Do you design, specify, select, certify or inspect external wall cladding, or advise on it?
qs.pi.activities.cladding_work - In which states and territories do you provide professional services?
qs.pi.practice_states - For each principal, which registrations, licences or endorsements are held, and in which state or territory?
qs.pi.registrations
Default rules (the first rule that matches applies; agencies may set their own actions and thresholds)
- When
qs.pi.activities.cladding_work = yes: Apply automatically
Restrictions (always apply)
- When
'VIC' in qs.pi.practice_states and qs.pi.registrations includes endorsed building engineer (Victoria): Refer to the underwriter, with the endorsement pre-selected. The Victorian Ministerial Order for endorsed building engineers may not permit this exclusion. An underwriter must confirm before it is applied.
Reason shown on the quote and schedule: Applies because you design, specify, certify or inspect external wall cladding, or advise on it.
Solar and Battery System Design
The design of solar photovoltaic and battery storage systems is a professional service under this policy, if the design is prepared or approved by a person accredited to design those systems under a scheme shown in the schedule.
This endorsement does not affect the Construction Work exclusion, which continues to apply to the installation of those systems.
Questions
- Do you design solar photovoltaic or battery storage systems?
qs.pi.es.solar_design - If you design solar or battery systems, which accreditation does the designer hold, and with which body?
qs.pi.es.solar_accreditation
Default rules (the first rule that matches applies; agencies may set their own actions and thresholds)
- When
qs.pi.es.solar_design = yes: Offer as a priced option
Reason shown on the quote and schedule: Offered because you design solar or battery systems under accreditation.
Comments on this wording