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Written by
iSelect Editorial TeamWe've partnered with BizCover to help you compare business insurance policies.*
Public Liability insurance^ can help cover legal fees and compensation costs if a customer, member of the public, or a supplier claims against you for injury or damage to their property as a result of your alleged negligent business activity.
A public liability claim could be brought against you for: Injury or death of a third party as a result of your negligent business activities, or damage to a third party's property as a result of your negligent business activities.
That might arise from the defense or settlement of a claim.
Including covering the loss or damage of a third party's property that was in your control or while you were performing your service. As well as loss or damage of goods in your care.
Who may have been involved in the incident or who were acting on your behalf and against whom a claim is made.
For example, if a third party falls over while visiting your business, you’re covered. First aid costs can also be included.
Like all insurance policies, a public liability insurance policy will come with exclusions, so it’s important to check what these are. Here’s a list of some of the things that typically aren’t covered:
Generally speaking, the answer is no. Public liability insurance protects you from claims by customers, suppliers and the general public. It typically doesn’t cover employees who injure themselves on the job. This can be covered by workers compensation insurance, which is generally mandatory for Australian businesses.
However, there are some cases where you might be able to claim a person’s injury on your policy because they’re not technically an employee. For example, work experience students or labour workers. It comes down to what’s included in your policy, so make sure you know what you are and are not covered for before you sign up.
Also, if a public liability claim is made against your employee, and they were acting in the course of their employment when they caused the injury or property damage in question, the policy will typically cover them.
One of the first things your insurer may look at is the size and type of your business. For example, a bungee jumping business could be deemed a riskier than a florist. This means the business owner may require a greater level of cover which in turn could mean a higher premium. Your insurer may also look into your claims history and the location of your business.
A lot of people think Public Liability Insurance isn’t mandatory but depending on your business and what state you’re in, it might be. For example, plumbers in Victoria and electricians in Queensland and Tasmania require it as part of their licensing process. In some industries there’s also a requirement for you to hold a minimum level of cover to be a member of the industry association. Generally, businesses that deal with members of the public or operate in public areas could benefit from it.
Check out the state guides below to find out whether you could be required to have it:
Whether it’s compulsory or not, as a business owner, Public Liability insurance is something that’s worth considering as a financial safety net should something unexpected occur.
Here’s a list of just some of the businesses which could be exposed to a public liability claim:
Still wondering if Public Liability insurance could be beneficial for your business? Here’s a couple of questions to consider:
A lot of people get confused between Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance. So we’ve broken them down for you:
Professional Indemnity Insurance^ can help protect you against losses claimed by a third party due to alleged or actual negligence or errors in your professional services or advice. For example, a customer could sue you for damages if it’s alleged that your recommendation has caused a loss. This type of insurance is typically suited to financial advisors, management consultants, accountants, lawyers and health professionals.
Public Liability insurance^Â is designed to help provide protection for you and your business in the event a customer, supplier or a member of the public are injured or sustain property damage as a result of your negligent business activities. For example, if a customer slips and falls on your premises.
Some businesses could benefit from both professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance. For example, an allied health professional might receive a claim against them for an injury that happened during treatment or allegations of negligence from that same client if they tripped over a towel left on the floor while leaving the treatment room.
