Public Liability Insurance In Queensland

How does Public Liability work in Queensland? 

From Mount Isa to Bundy and Cooktown to Coolangatta, no matter where your business is based in the Sunshine State, you might want to consider having public liability cover in the event things don’t go to plan. As a business owner, you have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of third parties, known as public liability. If you fail to exercise due care in the course of running your business, it’s referred to as negligence. If this negligent behaviour results in harm or damage to a third party, they can submit a public liability claim for compensation.   

Public liability insurance is designed to protect you and your business in the event your business has a negligence claim brought against you by a third party for personal injury or property damage they have sustained as a result of your business activities.  

Luckily, you can take out public liability insurance to protect you and your business in the event you have to pay compensation for a public liability claim. 

How will Public Liability Insurance protect my business? 

Public liability insurance protects your business against personal injury, death or damage to property caused to third parties as the result of negligent behaviour. While coverage specifics tend to depend on the policy you go with, public liability insurance typically covers: 

• Third-party personal injury claims 
• Third-party property damage 
• Product liability 
• Legal costs 

Always take the time to review your policy’s wording to understand the specific coverage, exclusions and limitations listed.  

Helpful Tip

Are you wondering whether public liability insurance is really necessary for your business? Here’s what Jane Mason at BizCover has to say: 

“Sometimes accidents are unavoidable when you’re running a business, which is why it’s so important to be prepared for the unexpected. With public liability insurance, you can rest easy knowing you’ve got protection in the event things don’t go to plan.” 

Jane Mason

Former Head of Product, Channels & Risk at BizCover

Who needs Public Liability Insurance in Queensland? 

In Queensland – like the rest of the country – public liability insurance isn’t always compulsory but it’s often well worth investing in. Whether you interact with customers, conduct business directly with the general public or sell a product that’s consumed or used by the general public, it’s important to ensure both you and your business are protected against any potential risks.  

If you operate a business in one of the following industries, you should consider taking out public liability insurance: 

• Accommodation and food services: hotels, motels, restaurants, pubs and cafes; 
• Administrative and support services: employment services, cleaners, gardeners, pest control; 
• Arts and recreation services: live performances, sporting events, gyms, casinos, zoos, national parks; 
• Rental services: rental, hiring and real estate services; and 
• Retail and wholesale trade: electrical goods, food and grocery, fuel, furniture and homewares. 

In Queensland, some industries require public liability insurance as part of their licensing requirements. For instance, electricians who run their own business are legally required to hold the Consumer Protection extension with a minimum level of $50,000 before they’ll be granted an electrical contractor’s license in Queensland. Similarly, builders or plumbers who run their own business also need to take out public liability insurance. 

How much does Public Liability Insurance cost in Queensland? 

The cost of public liability insurance is based on a range of different factors. With that said, most insurance providers tend to focus on four key elements, including: 

1. The size of your business,
2. The type of business you run, 
3. Where your business is located, and 
4. The amount of cover you need. 

While it can be tempting to underestimate how much insurance cover your business requires to try and save on insurance premiums, your claim could potentially be knocked back if you’re found to be underinsured. With this in mind, you might be better off taking out adequate insurance cover to make sure you’re protected.   

What should I consider for my Public Liability Insurance? 

When it comes to choosing public liability insurance for you and your business, it’s important to examine the specific risks that your business will likely be exposed to. It’s also worth considering factors like the cost of your public liability insurance, any policy exclusions and coverage limits. 

By taking these different factors into account, you’ll be better positioned to choose a suitable policy for your business. 

Where can I find and compare Public Liability policies? 

Regardless of whether you run your own plumbing business in Brissy or you’ve got a backpackers in Cairns, it pays to be protected with public liability insurance.  

At iSelect, we’ve teamed up with BizCover to help you compare business insurance policies online.