Public Liability Insurance
14 Docs
When is a Certificate of Currency issued for my Public Liability Insurance?
Last Updated: July 10, 2025A Certificate of Currency is issued once your Public Liability insurance policy is active and the premium has been paid in full, or premium funding has been organised. This document acts as official proof that your insurance is in place. It is commonly requested by: Councils and government bodies Licensing authorities Trade associations Clients or contractors Once you confirm payment, usually by providing a copy of your receipt or remittance, we will issue the certificate as soon as it becomes available from the insurer. In most cases, this can be done on the same day. Contact us if you need a Certificate of Currency urgently or would like it sent directly to a third party on your behalf.
Do I require Public Liability Insurance if I work from home?
Last Updated: July 10, 2025Yes, potentially. Even if you work from home, you may still be exposed to liability risks through your business activities. Public Liability Insurance should be considered if: Clients, suppliers, or members of the public visit your home You attend client sites or workplaces You deliver goods or provide services off-site You engage contractors or subcontractors Working from home does not remove your responsibility for third-party injury or property damage. Having the right cover in place helps protect you and your business from unexpected claims. Contact us to determine if this coverage is suitable for your situation and to ensure you are properly protected.
What is the most common type of public liability claim?
Last Updated: July 10, 2025The most common Public Liability claims involve slips, trips, and falls. These incidents can occur in everyday situations including: A wet or slippery floor Uneven ground or loose paving Unsecured cords or cables These types of claims often involve injuries to customers, visitors, or members of the public. Property damage is another frequent claim type. This might involve: Accidentally breaking a client’s belongings Damaging flooring or furniture while working on-site Causing water or electrical damage during installation or service work While these risks may seem minor, they can lead to expensive compensation or legal costs if someone is injured or property is damaged. Having the right Public Liability Insurance cover ensures your business is protected when the unexpected happens. Contact us to ensure your policy accurately reflects the risks associated with your day-to-day operations.
Does Public Liability Insurance cover me for work undertaken by Subcontractors?
Last Updated: July 10, 2025This depends on the terms of your specific Public Liability insurance policy. In many cases, subcontractors are excluded unless they are declared and noted in your policy schedule. If you engage subcontractors, it’s important to let us know so we can confirm: Whether your policy provides cover for their actions If they need to hold their own Public Liability insurance Whether they are classified correctly as subcontractors, employees, or volunteers In some situations, your policy may respond to claims caused by a subcontractor, but that does not mean the subcontractor themselves is covered. Without their own insurance, they may still be personally liable for any damages. Volunteers or unpaid workers may also need to be declared separately. For builders and contractors In the building and construction industry, Public Liability cover arranged through a Contract Works Insurance policy is generally more suitable when subcontractors are involved. These policies are often structured to provide clearer coverage for subcontractors working under the head contractor or builder, provided they are included in the project declarations. Contact us to review your policy and ensure that all parties involved in your projects are properly protected.
Can I get short-term or one-off Public Liability insurance cover?
Last Updated: July 10, 2025The public liability insurance policies we arrange are generally issued on an annual basis. This provides ongoing protection for your business across all jobs, sites, and client engagements throughout the year. If you are seeking short-term coverage for a single event or day, such as a market stall or community event, this typically falls under Event Insurance, which is not a service we currently offer. If your needs are project-specific or irregular, we can still discuss options and assess whether an annual policy is the most practical and cost-effective solution for you. Contact us to discuss your situation, and we’ll help find the most suitable cover for your needs.
What is the difference between Public Liability & General Liability
Last Updated: July 12, 2025In Australia, public liability is the standard term used to describe insurance that covers third-party injury or property damage resulting from your business activities. General liability is a broader term more commonly used in the United States and other international markets. It often refers to a combination of covers, with public liability included as one part. In most cases, the terms are used interchangeably, but in the Australian market, public liability insurance is the recognised term. If you come across a policy labelled as general liability, it’s important to check that it meets Australian standards and includes the specific cover your business requires. Contact us if you’re unsure and would like help confirming the right type of insurance for your situation.
Does Public Liability Insurance cover legal costs
Last Updated: July 12, 2025Yes, public liability insurance typically includes cover for legal defence costs, investigation expenses, and compensation awarded against you if you are found liable. This includes costs related to: Defending you in court Engaging legal representation or experts Responding to regulatory investigations Settling claims where appropriate Even if a claim is unfounded, the policy will generally respond to cover the cost of defending the allegation. These costs can be substantial and are one of the key reasons why public liability insurance is essential for businesses that deal with the public, clients, or work on third-party sites. Contact us if you’d like help understanding how legal costs are handled under your specific policy.
What is Products Liability and is it included?
Last Updated: July 12, 2025Products liability insurance covers you if a product you sell, supply, manufacture, or install causes injury or property damage after it has been handed over or is in use. This can include: Goods you install or assemble as part of your service Items you import, rebrand, or distribute Components supplied as part of a project Products liability is often included alongside public liability in a combined policy. For example, if a product you installed later causes a fire or injury, this section of your policy would typically respond to the claim. If you supply or work with physical products, it’s important to check that your policy includes this cover and that it applies to the type of products involved. Contact us if you’re unsure whether your current policy includes products liability or if you need help reviewing your coverage.
Is Public Liability Insurance mandatory
Last Updated: July 12, 2025Public liability insurance is not legally required in all industries. However, it is often a contractual requirement or an expectation from clients, principals, or project managers. In many cases, public liability is mandatory when: Working in public spaces or on government sites Operating on a client’s premises Applying for industry licences, permits, or council approvals Even when not legally required, this cover is strongly recommended. It helps protect your business from the financial impact of third-party injury or property damage claims, which can arise unexpectedly and be costly to defend. Contact us if you’re unsure whether public liability is required for your line of work or specific contracts.
What limit of Public Liability cover do I need?
Last Updated: July 12, 2025The appropriate level of public liability cover depends on several factors, including: The nature of your work The size and scale of your business The types of clients or contracts you take on Any site access or licensing requirements Common cover limits include: $5,000,000 $10,000,000 $20,000,000 Higher limits are often required for government projects, large commercial contracts, or work in public areas. These limits are usually specified in contract terms and must be in place before work can begin. There can be requirements for a $50,000,000 limit in some situations. If you are unsure what limit is suitable for your business, contact us and we can help assess your risk exposure and make sure your cover meets both legal and contractual obligations.
What does Public Liability Insurance cover me for?
Last Updated: July 12, 2025Public liability insurance protects you if a third party is injured or if their property is damaged as a result of your business activities. Common examples include: A client tripping over equipment at your premises A visitor being injured on a job site Damage to a client’s property while carrying out work The policy also covers legal costs involved in defending a claim, even if you are not found legally at fault. This can include legal representation, investigation costs, and settlement expenses. Public liability insurance is essential for businesses that interact with clients, contractors, or members of the public in any capacity. Contact us if you’d like help confirming what is included in your policy or tailoring your cover to suit the risks your business faces.
Do I Need Contract Works Insurance if I Already Have Public Liability?
Last Updated: June 28, 2025If you already have Public Liability Insurance, it’s natural to ask whether Contract Works Insurance is also necessary. The short answer is — yes, you likely need both. They serve very different purposes and work together to protect your construction business. Here’s the core difference: Contract Works Insurance covers the actual project while it’s being built.If your site is damaged by a storm, fire, theft, or vandalism, this policy helps cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding the work. Public Liability Insurance covers injury or damage to third parties.It responds if someone is injured on site or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property during the job. Why Public Liability isn’t enough on its own: Public Liability won’t cover: Damage to the structure you’re building or renovating Tools, equipment, or materials stolen from the site Storm, flood, or fire damage to the project Damage caused by subcontractors Rework due to accidental errors on-site That’s where Contract Works steps in. It protects the project’s value and helps ensure you’re not left out of pocket if something goes wrong during the build. Why do most builders and contractors need both? Public Liability protects people and property in the vicinity of your work....
What is the difference between Professional Indemnity Insurance & Public Liability Insurance
Last Updated: June 19, 2025Professional Indemnity (PI) and Public Liability (PL) are both important insurance covers, but they protect you in different ways. Professional Indemnity Insurance covers claims that arise from the advice or services you provide, like an error in a report, a design flaw, or a breach of professional duty. This cover is essential for consultants, designers, engineers, and anyone offering professional expertise. Public Liability Insurance, on the other hand, covers injury or property damage caused by your business activities, like someone tripping over something in your office or damage caused to a client’s property during a site visit. In many cases, professionals will need both types of cover. Professional Indemnity protects your work, while Public Liability protects your day-to-day operations and activities.
What is Public Liability Insurance
Last Updated: June 19, 2025Public Liability Insurance covers you if someone is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your business activities. It’s one of the most common types of business insurance and is often required in contracts, leases, and licensing agreements. Whether a client trips and hurts themselves at your office or you accidentally damage a client’s property onsite, this policy helps cover legal fees and compensation costs. It’s especially important if you interact with the public, operate on client sites, or run a physical location. Unlike Professional Indemnity, this type of insurance operates on an “occurrence” basis, meaning it responds to incidents that occur during the policy period, even if the claim is made after the policy period has ended. To learn more about Public Liability Insurance, please get in touch with our team for assistance.