Public Liability

What is Public Liability insurance?

Public Liability insurance is designed to protect your business against claims resulting from accidents or injuries that occur as result of your business activities, as well as accidental damage to property owned or controlled by someone else. Public Liability insurance can protect you from the financial loss of associated legal costs and compensation.

What kind of businesses need Public Liability insurance?

Does your small business have a retail location, office, or rented space? Perhaps you deliver goods or visit clients? As a business owner you are accountable to third parties that come into contact with your business – including customers, suppliers and anyone else who may be involved with your business. If damage or an accident occurs while you’re carrying out your business, the impacted third party may be able to make a claim against your business, which can result in costly legal fees as well as the obligation to pay for the damage or injury you may have caused.

What does Public Liability insurance cover?

When planning the continuity of your business, it’s important you are aware of what your insurance policy covers. Every policy differs, but below are some typical inclusions for a Public Liability policy.

Some things you may be covered for:

• Cover for others that may be acting on behalf of your business when the incident occurred
• First aid expenses at the time of an incident
• Injury to others who sustain injury whilst visiting your premises
• Legal costs incurred in the defence or settlement of a claim
• Loss or damage of goods – which are in your care custody or control which you do not own
• Loss or damage of someone else’s property that occurs while performing your service

What Are Some Of The Things Public Liability insurance Doesn't Cover Me For?

• Aircraft products
• Asbestos
• Employer’s responsibility for injured workers (workers compensation)
• Gradual pollution
• Liabilities assumed under contract which you would not be liable for at common law (that is if you enter into a contract which assumes the liability of others, if the law would not consider this your liability had you not signed the contract)
• Liquidated damages
• Products recall
• Punitive damages (damages awarded where a judge believes you acted so badly that extra damages are awarded)

Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. Please read the Policy wording before purchasing Public Liability insurance.  

What Public Liability insurance limits do we offer?

We offer flexible public liability limits of $5m, $10m and $20m. The level of coverage needed will depend on the needs of your business.  

The difference between Public Liability and Professional Indemnity can be confusing. If you're unsure yourself, be sure to check out this article we've written by clicking here.