Public Liability Insurance Australia: A Guide for Small Businesses, Sole Traders and Tradies
Running a business comes with responsibilities, and managing unexpected risks is an important part of protecting your operations. Whether you're a sole trader, contractor, tradie or small business owner, an accident involving a customer, supplier or member of the public could result in an expensive claim.
Public liability insurance helps protect your business against certain legal liability claims arising from third party personal injury or property damage caused by your business activities.
At New Wave Insurance, we make exploring business insurance options straightforward with easy online public liability insurance quotes. Eligible Australian businesses can obtain a quote online in minutes and explore cover options suited to their business activities.
Whether you're looking for business public liability insurance, tradie public liability insurance or an affordable public liability insurance quote, understanding your options is a good place to start.
What Is Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance is designed to protect businesses if they become legally liable to pay compensation following an incident involving a third party.
For example, this may include:
- A customer slipping and injuring themselves at your business premises.
- Accidentally damaging a client's property while carrying out work.
- A third party being injured because of your business activities.
- Property damage caused by a product supplied or sold by your business.
Depending on the policy, public and product liability insurance can cover compensation payments and approved legal defence costs, subject to policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
For Australian businesses that regularly interact with customers, suppliers, contractors or members of the public, this type of insurance is an important consideration.
You can learn more in our guide to what public liability insurance covers.
Who Needs Business Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance is relevant to a wide range of Australian businesses. Even businesses with good safety procedures can experience unexpected incidents.
Some businesses that may benefit from considering public liability insurance include:
1. Tradies and contractors
Electricians, plumbers, builders, painters, carpenters, landscapers and other tradespeople often work at customer properties or construction sites. Accidental property damage or third party injuries can lead to claims.
Explore tradie public liability insurance to learn more about cover options for trade businesses.
2. Sole traders
Sole traders often manage their own business activities, making it important to consider the financial consequences of unexpected liability claims.
3. Cleaners
Cleaning businesses regularly work in residential and commercial properties. Accidental damage to floors, furniture or other property is one example of a potential business risk.
4. Retailers and shop owners
Businesses operating from physical premises may have customers and visitors entering their stores, creating potential third party injury risks.
5. Cafes and hospitality businesses
Restaurants, cafes and hospitality operators interact with customers throughout the day and may need to consider potential liability risks associated with their operations.
6. Builders and construction businesses
Construction businesses and contractors often work around equipment, materials, workers and other trades. Many building contracts also specify minimum insurance requirements.
The appropriate insurance will depend on your occupation, business activities and individual circumstances.
What Does Public Liability Insurance Cover?
New Wave Insurance offers Public and Products Liability Insurance designed to help eligible businesses manage certain liability risks.
Depending on the policy wording, cover can include legal liability arising from:
- Third party personal injury.
- Accidental damage to third party property.
- Certain advertising liability claims.
- Products liability arising from products supplied or sold by your business.
The policy may also include certain additional benefits, such as approved defence costs, inquiry representation and claims preparation costs, subject to the applicable limits and conditions.
It's important to understand that public liability insurance does not cover every business risk.
For example, professional negligence arising from fee based advice, employee injuries covered by workers compensation and certain cyber related incidents may be excluded.
Always review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and policy wording to understand exactly what is and isn't covered.
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How Much Does Public Liability Insurance Cost in Australia?
One of the most common questions business owners ask is: how much does public liability insurance cost?
The cost of public liability insurance varies depending on the nature and size of your business and the level of cover selected.
Some of the main factors that influence your premium include:
- Type of business: Different industries have different levels of risk. A business operating from an office may have a different risk profile from a contractor working at heights.
- Annual turnover: Your business revenue can influence the assessment of your insurance premium.
- Number of employees: The size of your workforce may affect the level of risk.
- Cover limit: The amount of liability protection you select can influence your premium.
- Claims history: Previous claims may be considered when calculating your insurance cost.
- Business activities: The specific services and work performed by your business can affect pricing.
At New Wave Insurance, public liability insurance starts from $25 per month for eligible low risk businesses.
The actual premium will depend on your business details, selected cover and applicable charges.
For a more detailed breakdown, visit our guide to public liability insurance costs in Australia.
What Is the Best Public Liability Insurance for Your Business?
Finding the best public liability insurance isn't necessarily about choosing the cheapest premium. It's about finding cover that aligns with your business activities and contractual requirements.
Before choosing a policy, consider the following:
1. Appropriate cover limits
Some businesses require $5 million, $10 million or $20 million in public liability cover. Check your contracts, client requirements and business risks before selecting a limit.
2. Business activity eligibility
Make sure the policy covers the actual services your business provides. If you perform additional work or introduce new services, check whether these activities are covered.
3. Policy exclusions
Review exclusions, conditions and limitations to understand where cover may not apply.
4. Excess and additional costs
Understand the excess payable if you make a claim, along with any additional fees or payment conditions.
5. Claims support
Consider the claims process and the support available if an incident occurs.
6. Certificate of Currency
If a client, builder, landlord or site manager requires proof of insurance, check how quickly you can obtain your Certificate of Currency.
Taking the time to review these details can help you make a more informed insurance decision.
How to Get an Online Public Liability Insurance Quote
Arranging public liability insurance online can make the process more convenient for busy business owners.
New Wave Insurance offers an online quoting process that allows eligible Australian businesses to explore available cover options.
Here's how it works:
- Visit the New Wave Insurance Public Liability Insurance page.
- Select the option to get an online quote.
- Enter your business details and describe your business activities.
- Choose your preferred level of cover.
- Review the available quote and policy information.
- If suitable, proceed with purchasing your insurance online.
Once cover has been successfully arranged, you can receive your Certificate of Insurance.
With an easy online public liability insurance process, you can explore your options without needing to spend time organising a traditional face to face appointment.
Why Consider New Wave Insurance?
New Wave Insurance makes it easier for Australian businesses to explore public liability insurance online.
Our online platform offers:
- Quick online public liability insurance quotes.
- Competitive premiums and flexible payment options.
- Cover options for a range of eligible Australian businesses.
- Selected liability limits of $5 million, $10 million and $20 million.
- Access to policy documentation online.
- Certificate of Insurance once cover is successfully arranged.
- Support from an Australian based team.
Whether you're a sole trader starting out, a tradie working across different job sites or an established small business, you can explore available insurance options online.
Ready to explore your options?
Get started with a New Wave Insurance public liability insurance quote and find out what cover may be suitable for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions About Public Liability Insurance
Important information
This article provides general information only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Insurance eligibility, cover and premiums are subject to underwriting assessment. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Target Market Determination (TMD) and policy wording before making a decision. Cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
