What is product liability insurance for Australian businesses?

Product liability insurance is business insurance that may help cover legal defence costs, settlements or compensation if a product manufactured, imported, distributed or sold by a business is alleged to have caused injury, illness or property damage. Cover depends on the policy wording, limits, excesses and exclusions.

How do I choose between professional indemnity and public liability for my business?

Choosing between professional indemnity and public liability insurance depends on your business activities and the risks you face. Professional indemnity insurance is relevant if your business provides advice, consultancy or specialised services and could face claims involving negligence, errors or breach of professional duty. Public liability insurance is relevant if your business interacts physically with customers, clients, suppliers or the public and could face claims involving injury or property damage. Some businesses may need both.

What should I do first after an incident that may lead to a public liability claim?

First, make the area safe and arrange assistance for anyone who needs it. Then record the facts, take photos or videos where appropriate, collect witness details and notify your insurer as soon as feasible.

What does public liability insurance help cover?

Public liability insurance is designed to help with certain third-party injury or property damage claims connected with business activities. Depending on the policy, it may help with legal defence costs and compensation costs for covered claims.

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Liability Insurance For Australian Trades, Professions & Business

Liability insurance can help businesses manage the financial risks of claims involving injury, property damage or professional errors. For tradespeople, professionals and small business owners, understanding the different types of cover is a practical starting point. Explore our articles, guides, calculator and insurance news ... or connect with a liability insurance broker from our Australia-wide referral partner network who can discuss your needs and compare available options.

Comparisons are provided after referral by participating brokers using policies available to them, not the whole market. We may receive a referral fee from the parties we refer you to. We do not provide financial advice or credit assistance directly.

Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance (or simply public liability) is a type of liability insurance for individuals and businesses to indemnify against the financial implications of legal liability for property damage and bodily injury to others. Public liability insurance may also include cover for associated legal and professional costs in defending a covered claim, subject to policy terms, limits and exclusions.

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Comprehensive Solutions

Simply complete our short online public liability insurance quote form for referral to a participating broker who can help you explore competitive Public Liability Insurance rates from insurers available to them. Other liability insurance needs may include business liability insurance, employer liability insurance, directors and officers liability, product liability insurance, contractors liability insurance, trades liability insurance, property liability insurance, broadform liability insurance, landlords liability insurance, etc. Ask the broker which types of cover they can assist with.

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Compare Rates & Options

Because all Public Liability policies are different, a participating broker can help you compare features and benefits - not just price - so you can find Public Liability protection that offers competitive value for your needs from insurers available through that broker.

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Multiple Insurers

When you submit an online quote request with us, we refer your details to a participating licensed insurance professional from our national broker referral panel, who typically has access to a selection of policies from multiple participating insurers.

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Public Liability Insurance Calculator

Explore your public liability insurance needs with our Public Liability Insurance Calculator. Estimate potential cover amounts for your business and explore how different liability risks, business circumstances and coverage assumptions may influence the results.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Business Insurance Articles

The Importance of Documentation in Public Liability Claims

Public liability insurance is designed to help protect a business when it is found legally responsible for injury or property damage suffered by a third party because of its operations. If an incident occurs, the quality of your documentation can make a major difference to how clearly the claim is assessed. - read more

When Is Liability Insurance Required for Australian Businesses?

Liability insurance is not compulsory for every Australian business, but it may be required by law, licence conditions, contracts, leases, tenders, permits or client agreements. This guide explains where requirements commonly arise and how to check what applies to your business. - read more

Understanding Liability Insurance for Australian Small Business Owners

Liability insurance helps Australian small businesses manage the financial impact of legal claims involving injury, property damage, negligent services or products connected with business activities. Understanding the main types of cover, policy limits, exclusions and claims processes can help business owners make more informed risk management decisions. - read more

Critical Risk Management Strategies for Every Australian Tradesman

Welcome to the crucial world of risk management for Australian tradesmen. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting, understanding and mitigating the inherent risks in the trades industry is paramount to both the safety and sustainability of your business. This article intends to guide you through the world of risk management, emphasizing the pivotal role of liability insurance. - read more

Insurance News

What Rising Insurance Disputes Mean for Income Protection Customers

29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

New Zealand’s latest insurance dispute figures are a timely warning for anyone relying on personal cover to protect their household income. The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme reported that, for the year ended 30 June 2026, health insurance became the largest category of disputes it investigated for the first time, with health disputes up 91 percent and 833 dispute investigations completed across all categories. - read more

Why Falling Insurance Rates May Not Flow Evenly to Truck Operators

29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Fresh commercial insurance market data is giving Australian businesses a more favourable pricing backdrop, but truck owners should be cautious about assuming broad rate falls will automatically reduce heavy vehicle premiums. Marsh’s Q3 2026 Global Insurance Market Index, released on 21 October 2026, reported a 12 per cent fall in Pacific commercial insurance rates for the quarter, led by property and supported by strong insurer competition and available capacity. - read more

Why Data Centre Work Is a Different Risk for Tradies

29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s fast-growing data centre construction market is opening opportunities for electrical, HVAC, fire protection, cabling, fit-out and commissioning trades, but recent insurance industry discussion suggests the risk settings are not always keeping pace with the work. At a recent Australasian Professional Indemnity Group conference, specialists warned that data centre projects can involve unusual contractual, professional and technology-related exposures, especially where contractors rely on annual insurance programs designed for more conventional building work. - read more

Why Mental Health Cover Is Back in the Income Protection Spotlight

29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s life insurance industry has moved mental health cover back to the centre of the affordability debate, after the Council of Australian Life Insurers released its response on 30 September 2026 to the independent review of the Life Insurance Code of Practice. For workers who rely on income protection insurance, the issue is practical: mental health conditions can affect earning capacity just as seriously as physical illness, but changes designed to keep premiums manageable may also alter what is covered. - read more

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Knowledgebase

Umbrella Policy:
An additional insurance policy that provides extra liability coverage beyond the limits of the insured's primary policies.

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