The Poly B insurance problem in BC is real and it's accelerating. Insurers are cancelling or surcharging policies based on Poly B presence — and in many cases, the homeowner only finds out when they receive a non-renewal notice 30 days before coverage ends. The solution is replacement, but getting from "Poly B present" to "insurability restored" requires documentation that your insurer will actually accept. We produce that documentation on every job.
What BC Insurers Are Actually Doing
The Insurance Bureau of Canada and individual BC carriers have taken progressively stronger positions on Poly B over the past decade. The current landscape in 2024/2025:
Some carriers have stopped writing new policies on homes with Poly B entirely. Others will write the policy but add a Poly B surcharge — often $300–$1,200 annually — and require replacement within a set timeframe (typically 12–24 months) as a condition of renewal. A smaller number will continue to write the policy but exclude water damage resulting from Poly B failure, which essentially makes the policy useless for the most likely claim type in the home.
Brokers in Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities are navigating this constantly. If your broker has mentioned Poly B as a concern, or if you've received any written notice about your plumbing, that's the signal to act.
- Some BC insurers: no new policies on Poly B homes
- Many BC insurers: annual surcharge + replacement deadline
- Some BC insurers: coverage written but Poly B water damage excluded
- Documentation required: written scope, completion certificate, photos
- Timeline: most insurers accept documentation within 90 days of replacement
What Documentation Your Insurer Needs
The standard documentation package that satisfies BC insurer requirements for Poly B replacement includes:
A written scope of work confirming that all polybutylene supply piping was replaced. A completion certificate signed by the licensed plumber who performed the work. Photographic documentation showing Poly B pipe removed and PEX installed. The BC plumbing permit completion record where a permit was required.
Some insurers also request the plumber's license number and a declaration of the replacement material used. We include all of this in every documentation package we produce. You get the full package on completion day.
Getting Your Premium Down
Once you have documentation in hand, the process for most homeowners is: provide the package to your broker, who submits it to the insurer. In the majority of cases, the surcharge is removed at the next renewal or mid-term if the insurer allows mid-term adjustments. If your coverage was cancelled or non-renewed, your broker can begin shopping replacement coverage with the documentation in hand — and most carriers that previously declined will write the policy once Poly B removal is confirmed.
We work with many homeowners who are under insurer-imposed deadlines. If you've been given a specific date to complete replacement as a condition of renewal, tell us upfront and we'll prioritize accordingly.
Insurance documentation isn't an afterthought at — it's part of every job. You'll have what you need on completion day, without having to ask twice.
Contact Coquitlam Poly B Replacement today to book your free inspection.
Questions About This Service
My insurer is giving me 90 days to replace Poly B — can you meet that deadline?
In most cases, yes. We have same-week start availability for most jobs. Tell us your deadline when you call and we'll schedule accordingly.
Do I need to be home when you do the job for insurance purposes?
No. The documentation package we produce is based on the work performed, not on homeowner presence. We produce the same documentation whether you're home or not.