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Public Liability Insurance Australian Capital Territory

Compare online quotes for public liability insurance in the ACT here with Savvy today.

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, updated on August 1st, 2023       

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Public liability insurance is a must for all businesses in the ACT which have interaction with the public. It can offer you protection for your business against a range of claimable events which may lead to a personal injury or property damage claim from a third party. 

If you’re looking for public liability insurance in the ACT, Savvy can help you compare your options. Just by answering a few simple questions about the insurance you need, you could have a range of quotes from leading insurers to compare online instantly. Start the process with Savvy today. 

Public liability insurance in the Australian Capital Territory – what is it and how does it work?

Public liability insurance may offer you protection against a lawsuit if a claim is made that a member of the public is injured or their property damaged as a result of your negligence. As a business owner or operator in the ACT, you have a duty of care to ensure members of the public aren’t harmed as a result of your business activity. If a claim is made that you have not exercised sufficient care, resulting in a personal injury, public liability insurance may assist you with the cost of defending your business against such a claim (provided it’s deemed claimable by your insurer).  

Cover is available in amounts of $5 million, $10 million and $20 million. The level of coverage you may need will depend on your business’ needs, so it’s important to consider the risks your business faces and what limit is sufficient to cover them. Additionally, whether your landlord has any specific requirements as a condition of granting a lease or if you need a certain level of cover for permits or licences is also a relevant factor to consider. 

Savvy can help make comparing public liability insurance easier and more convenient. Just answer a few simple questions about your business and the insurance you’re looking for, and you could have a range of insurance quotes to compare from our trusted business insurance providers.

What does public liability insurance cover my business in the ACT for?

Typically, public liability insurance covers a business for the following types of claims: 

  1. Third-party property damage caused by your negligent business activity  
  2. Compensation costs for third-party injuries   
  3. Compensation for damage to third-party property which is in your possession 
  4. The cost of defending yourself or your business against any such claims  

What isn’t covered by public liability insurance? 

The following are not usually covered by public liability insurance: 

  1. Events which happened outside of the insured period (such as before you purchased your insurance policy)  
  2. Damage to your own property or business assets (which can be covered through other types of business insurance) 
  3. Injuries to yourself, your employees or workers 
  4. The cost of damages if you are found to be professionally negligent 
  5. The cost of fixing damage caused by faulty workmanship 
  6. The cost of product recalls to prevent further damage 

Naturally, the coverage included under all business insurance policies is subject to the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions set in place by your insurer. As such, it’s important to read the PDS and compare policies carefully so you’re aware of what is and isn’t covered. 

Which types of businesses in the ACT need public liability insurance?

Being located in our nation’s capital, and a major tourist destination, many businesses in Canberra cater to tourists and visitors. Therefore, they may have a strong reason to take out public liability insurance due to the risks faced by injury or damage claims. However, any business which has contact with members of the public or their property may consider liability insurance to help protect their interests. Such businesses include: 

  • Food businesses, including cafes, restaurants, bakeries, pizza shops, other takeaway businesses and food vans 
  • Medical and health industries, such as doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, alternative therapy providers and disability workers
  • Those in the building industry and tradies including roofers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, cabinet makers and handymen 
  • Businesses which may offer a mobile service to the public, including mobile mechanics, pet walking and grooming businesses, lawn-mowing operations, landscapers, hair and beauty therapists 
  • Professionals who offer a service to the public, such as real estate agents, accountants, lawyers, finance and IT professionals, migration agents and social workers 

How do I compare public liability insurance for my business in the Australian Capital Territory?

There are several aspects of insurance you should compare when looking at buying public liability insurance. These include: 

What the insurance covers you for 

All insurance policies come with terms, conditions and exclusions, so it’s important to compare what these are so you have a clear understanding of the cover you’re buying. Make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered in each policy, as some may be better suited to your business than others. If you require multiple insurance policies, some insurers offer business insurance packages, which may be a cheaper way of buying them (though costs will still depend on your insurer’s assessment criteria). 

The cost 

You may want to find the cheapest insurance policy for your business, but the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best insurance policy for your circumstances. While coverage remains the most important factor to consider when comparing offers, it’s still valuable to make sure you aren’t forking out more than you need to for your coverage. 

Limits 

You can choose the maximum limits of your cover, ranging from $5 million up to $20 million or more in certain circumstances (depending on your insurer’s qualification criteria). How much insurance your business needs will depend on the individual risks and requirements you face. For example, in order to hold a public event such as a concert or charity event, you may need to have $10 million worth of cover in order to be granted a permit by the council. 

Add-ons and extras 

Read the PDS that comes with your insurance policy to find out if there are any extras or add-ons you may be able to purchase to extend your insurance coverage. Think about what insurance you need for your business and your situation to help determine whether any of these extras (for instance, product liability insurance) would be of benefit to your business. 

What factors will affect the cost of my public liability insurance in the ACT?

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Frequently asked questions about public liability insurance in the ACT

Do I have to have public liability insurance if my business is based at home?

This will depend on the liability risks you face from potential legal action from third parties. If you visit your customers’ homes or deal with their property in any way, it may be worth considering public liability insurance for your business if you believe there’s a risk of a claim being made against you. 

Do I have to have public liability insurance if I’m a sole trader in the ACT?

Public liability insurance isn’t compulsory for sole traders, but if you offer a trade or service to members of the public and believe there may be a risk of a claim being made against you should a covered accident occur, you should consider public liability insurance. 

Can general business insurance packages in the ACT also cover public liability?

A general business insurance package may include general business insurance, professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance in one bundle, though this will depend on the insurer you choose to buy and your business’ risk profile. Some insurers may also allow you to pick and choose elements of different policies to include in your package, so it’s important to compare your options to see what you can and can’t include in your policy. 

What’s the difference between public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance can offer cover for an individual or business against claims that bad advice was given, or the service provided was negligent. On the other hand, public liability insurance may offer protection from claims that a third party was injured or their property was damaged as a result of business negligence. All coverage is subject to your insurer’s qualification criteria, however. 

What is a Certificate of Currency and do I need one in the ACT?

A Certificate of Currency is an official document that proves you are covered by a certain type of insurance from a specified date and time. It’ll automatically be sent to you when you pay your first insurance premium. You may need this document to prove to your council or landlord that you do have the necessary insurance if it’s a requirement to supply evidence of your policy. 

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