Public Liability Insurance is designed to cover certain legal liabilities arising from third-party personal injury or property damage connected with your business activities.

For tradies, these exposures can arise at worksites, client premises and other locations where work is performed.

What can Public Liability cover? #

Examples of personal injury allegations can include:

• A client being injured around your work area
• A member of the public tripping over equipment
• An object falling and causing injury
• Another person being injured in connection with your work

Examples of property damage can include:

• Damaging a client’s flooring
• Breaking a window
• Water damage
• Damage to surrounding property
• Damage to underground services

Whether a policy responds depends on the circumstances and policy wording.

Subject to the policy, Public Liability Insurance can also cover certain defence and investigation costs associated with an insured claim.

Subcontractors and insurance requirements #

Claims involving subcontractors can require particular attention.

Policies can vary in how they treat:

• Injury to subcontractors
• Liability arising from subcontracted work
• Labour-only subcontractors
• Subcontractor insurance requirements
• Applicable excesses

You can read more about engaging subcontractors.

Public Liability may also be required by a contract, principal contractor, site operator, licensing arrangement or other requirement.

The exact requirement depends on the trade, jurisdiction and work being performed.

Contact our team if you would like help reviewing Public Liability Insurance for your trade business.