Protect against public liability risks with the right insurance policy
Public liability insurance brokers
Securing public liability insurance in Australia since 1987
Whether you operate on site, visit client business premises, or run projects in community spaces, public liability exposure is part of the job. For nearly four decades, Ian Jones has helped Australian companies to ensure they are covered if a third party is injured or their property is damaged as a result of business activities.
Our public liability insurance brokers focus on structuring policies to reflect how your business actually operates. By assessing your real-world risks and leveraging established insurer relationships, we negotiate cover that aligns with your level of exposure. This means your business is protected where it matters most, without paying for cover you do not need.
Financial cover for third-party incidents
As a business owner, you are accountable to third parties that come into contact with your company (customers, employees, suppliers, members of the public, etc.). If damage or an accident occurs while you’re providing a service, a third party may sue your business, which can result in costly legal fees as well as the obligation to pay for the damage or personal injury you may have caused.
Even where the incident is not the fault of your organisation, it may be dragged into a claim due to association of interests (e.g. A contractor causes an accidental loss or personal injury, so the blame is levelled at you as the principal), where you need to defend yourself in the courts.
These costs are often devastating for businesses, which is why public liability insurance exists to help protect you should an insured event occur.
IMPORTANT: If your business requires that you sign contracts before undertaking any work, you must advise our office immediately (before signing), as there may be clauses that mean you may sign away any rights in relation to insurance. Consequently, any claim may be rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Public Liability Insurance is a type of business insurance that is taken out where there is a possibility of causing property damage to a third party or causing injury or death to a third party during the course of operational or occupational activities.
It has been known under different terms such as general liability, Broadform liability, legal liability and products liability, to name a few.
Public liability insurance and product liability insurance both protect your business against claims from third parties, but they cover different types of risk.
Public liability insurance covers personal injury or property damage that happens because of your business activities. For example, if a customer slips in your store, trips at your worksite, or their property is damaged while you are providing a service, public liability insurance can help cover legal costs and compensation.
Product liability insurance, on the other hand, protects your business if a product you supply, manufacture, or sell causes injury, illness, or damage after it has been handed over to the customer. This could include faulty equipment, contaminated goods, or unsafe product design.
Therefore, public liability relates to legal claims concerning incidents caused by your business operations, while product liability relates to harm caused by the products you provide. Many Australian businesses need both types of cover for comprehensive risk management.
Public liability covers a business owner who may have legal action brought against them or their business for damage to someone else’s property or third-party personal injury or death.
There needs to be a level of negligence on the part of the business owner, and if this is the case, financial losses would be covered under the public liability insurance.
When tailored to suit a business, public liability insurance will cover areas such as import liability (if a product is imported by the insured directly from another country, then that business may find itself to be the ‘deemed manufacturer’ of that product and any claim may be brought about under the laws of that State or Territory or Commonwealth).
It can also be extended to cover exporting of goods, goods sold, pollution liability, statutory liability, goods in the insured’s care, custody or control, among other extensions where necessary.
Whether a large corporation, small business or sole trader, you need public liability insurance if your operations involve interactions that may lead to third-party injury or property damage.
For professional advice on insurance products for your business and financial situation, please contact our qualified team today. Equipped with a deep understanding of your circumstances, we can suggest the most suitable public liability insurance policy.
The amount of public liability needed can depend on the business type and potential risk exposure; however, in Australia, the more common or generally accepted sum insured is $10 million.
A sum insured of $20 million is usually required by those under some sort of contract or those working in an industry where a higher value is preferred.
The cost of public liability insurance is governed by many things, such as the risk of the business occupation and activities, the revenue of the business, staff numbers, products and materials used or sold, wage roll and more.
To obtain the right advice and cover suitable for your business, please discuss your needs with one of our experienced public liability brokers.
Yes, you may cancel a public liability policy at any stage.