Legal costs
Public Liability covers the legal costs incurred in the defence or settlement of a liability claim.
Public Liability Insurance for
Choose from our flexible cover options.
Protect your business against claims resulting from accidents or injuries that occur as result of your business activities, as well as damage to property owned or controlled by someone else which also occurs as result of your business activities.
What Public Liability Insurance can cover
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Damage to property
Covers the costs of physical loss, destruction, or damage to tangible property during the course of your business operation.
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Injury to a third party
Covers the costs of injuries to third parties, as well as first aid expenses incurred by you for injuries due to your business operations.
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Loss or damage of goods in your care
Cover for loss or damage of goods which are in your care, custody or control, which you do not own.
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Others acting on your behalf
Liability arising out of damage caused from the act of others acting on your behalf.
This is a summary only, for the full details of what is and is not covered, please read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Why choose CGU
Frequently asked questions
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Do I need Public Liability Insurance?
As a business owner you are accountable to third parties that come into contact with your business – including customers, suppliers and anyone else who may be involved with your business. If damage or an accident occurs while you’re carrying out your business, the impacted person may take legal action against your business, which can result in costly legal fees as well as the obligation to pay for the damage or injury you may have caused.
If you work with clients or customers, in public spaces, visit spaces owned or controlled by others, have visitors to your premises, or manufacture products; Public Liability Insurance can assist you against potentially costly personal injury or property damage claims.
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What does Public Liability Insurance cover me for?
CGU Public Liability Insurance can cover your business for:
- Legal costs incurred in the defence or settlement of a covered claim
- Cover for others that may be acting on behalf of your business when the incident occurred
- Loss or damage of goods – which are in your care custody or control which you do not own
- Loss or damage of someone else’s property that occurs while performing your service
- Your first aid expenses at the time of an incident
- Costs incurred as a result of injury to others whilst visiting your premises
This is a summary only, the full details of what is and is not covered, please read your PDS.
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What are some of the things Public Liability doesn’t cover me for?
Things Public Liability doesn’t cover you for include:
- Your (the employer’s) responsibility for injured workers (this is covered through workers compensation insurance)
- Aircraft products
- Asbestos
- Punitive damages (damages awarded where a judge believes you acted so badly that extra damages are awarded)
- Gradual pollution
- Products recall
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How much Public Liability Insurance do I need?
Every business is different, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ rule for how much Public Liability Insurance your business needs. Sometimes the amount of Public Liability Insurance you need will be dictated by the contracts you work on – for example, some corporate and government contracts will stipulate a minimum amount of Public Liability.
CGU offer multiple levels of Public Liability cover which can be purchased from us directly online or over the phone:
- $5 million
- $10 million
- $20 million
If you need more cover, call us on 13 24 81 (8am–7pm AEST, Mon–Fri).
Public Liability claims can be very costly, so it’s important you choose a level of cover that will financially protect your business should you need to make a claim.
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What sorts of claims are covered by Public Liability Insurance?
Some examples of scenarios that might be covered under your Public Liability policy would be:
- If a third party slips and falls, injuring themselves in your premises
- If you manufacture and sell a product that you do not realise is defective and someone is injured as a result of the defect
- If your job is to paint houses and your ladder slips and breaks a window on the third party’s property
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Does Public Liability cover professional services or advice?
Public Liability Insurance doesn’t cover losses arising from you providing professional services or advice to clients.
Professional Indemnity Insurance protects you and your business from claims of financial loss arising from an act, error or omission in the performance of professional services. Find out more about Professional Indemnity Insurance.
More questions?
If you've got more questions about how Public Liability can work for your business, contact us on 13 24 81 (8am–8pm AEDT, Mon–Fri).
Important documents
For previous policy booklets, check our policy booklets page.
Things you should know
1 You can save up to 10% on the Business Insurance 'base premium' when you first purchase online. The base premium doesn't include any government or statutory charges. You will only get a discount on your first year's premium. Discounts only apply until you reach your minimum premium, so your discount might be limited by your minimum premium. When we calculate your premium on renewal, we may also limit any increases or decreases by considering factors like your previous year’s premium. This online offer may be withdrawn at any time and is subject to the full terms and conditions.
Other Business Insurance products
Trades Insurance
Whether you’re a plumber, electrician or painter, our Trades Insurance provides cover for your tools, vehicles and Public Liability.
Learn about Trades Insurance
