DSH Insurance – General FAQs

DSH Insurance was initially established 100 years ago in 1919 under the Defence Service Homes Act 1918.

DSH Insurance was established as part of repatriation activities for soldiers returning from the Great War, and to recognise their service to our nation. The War Service Homes Scheme (as it was known then) was established to build homes for returned soldiers and provide loans so soldiers could purchase them. As a consequence of the Commonwealth having a financial interest in the homes built by the War Service Homes Scheme, borrowers were required to have insurance to protect the property against fire and other risks that could damage or destroy the property. The War Service Homes Insurance Scheme (as it was known then) was established and financed by the premiums paid by the home purchasers and borrowers.

Since this time the War Service Homes Insurance Scheme has been renamed and is now known as DSH Insurance. DSH Insurance has also evolved to include new cohorts and additional product offerings. For example, eligibility was expanded in 2008 to those receiving benefits under the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS), and from 1 January 2020 DSH Insurance further expanded its eligibility requirements to include those who have served at least one day in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) regardless of their type of service.

In addition to home building insurance available through DSH Insurance, our product offering now also includes, for example, home contents, motor vehicle, caravan and landlord insurance. These additional insurance products are provide through DSH Insurance’s arrangement with QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited.

DSH Insurance operates in a commercial environment and is highly regarded by the veteran community.

DSH Insurance is owned by the Australian Government and is administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

DSH Insurance has been funded from its home building insurance premiums and returns on investments since its inception i.e. it has not had funding from Government in its 100+ year history.

DSH Insurance also receives a commission for selling QBE insurance products to those in the Defence community. This enables the Scheme to offer competitive premiums on its home building insurance policy.

DSH Insurance underwrites and provides home building insurance to eligible ADF members, veterans and their widow(er)s.

DSH Insurance, through its arrangement with QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited, can also provide access to a range of complementary insurance products including:

  • Home Contents
  • Landlord
  • Car
  • Motor Cycle
  • Boat
  • Caravan, and
  • Trailer.

QBE underwrites and carries the risk for these complementary insurance products and no eligibility requirements apply to these products.

DSH Insurance prides itself on strong customer service standards and is highly regarded by its policyholders. This is reflected in its customer satisfaction surveys, where it continues to average satisfaction levels in the high 90th percentile.

DSH Insurance’s staff understand the ADF and veteran experience of overseas deployments and relocations to geographical locations that are not always of an individual’s choice, but a part of their service requirement, and are also able to refer policyholders to DVA programs and services (such as MyService, the Veterans Recognition Program, and Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling) if required.

DSH Insurance ensures that in the event of a claim, policyholders receive the settlement they are entitled to.

DSH Insurance offers competitive home building insurance premiums to current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who have served at least one day (including reservists and widow(er)s of those ADF members).

Our home building insurance is comprehensive and covers your home as well as building and structural improvements such as garages, domestic outbuildings, pergolas, fences, swimming pools, concrete paths and paving.

Our cover includes the following features:

  • flood
  • accidental damage (up to $5,000)
  • storm damage to fences
  • fusion of electric motors that are part of your home, regardless of the age of the motor
  • a tailored claims process supported by a broad network of loss adjusters and contractors, and
  • temporary accommodation should your home become unfit to live in.

There is no excess on claims (other than for earthquake damage and some accidental damage claims). This helps our policyholders get their home back to pre-damage condition with little to no financial outlay come claim time.

DSH Insurance has a 100 year legacy of Defence-focused insurance expertise. We understand the ADF lifestyle and the needs and expectations of ADF members and veterans. We insure anywhere in Australia, have flexible payment options (annually or monthly) at no extra cost, and provide a personalised service to all our policyholders.

This is why DSH Insurance has many satisfied policyholders as reflected by our high renewal retention rate of 98%.

Our policyholders are at the heart of everything we do. This is why we are always looking for ways which we can further improve our service and support our policyholders.

If you have any ideas for ways that we can do better, get in touch with us at dsh@dva.gov.au or call 1300 552 662.