Public Liability Insurance

While it is not a legal requirement in Australia for most businesses, there are some situations where it may be mandatory for you to have you an active Public Liability policy before you can operate. For example, it may be a contractual requirement to have before you are allowed “on site”.  

You may also need Public Liability cover if you have customers, suppliers or members of the public who visit your business premises; you manufacture and/or sell any kind of products (e.g. food, beauty products, furniture, clothing or household items); or you work at your client’s site (e.g. a tradesperson carrying out repairs or work in other people’s homes).

While it would be nice to be told the exact amount of cover you should have, the decision is ultimately up to you. 

If you work with contracts, these commonly stipulate the minimum amount of Public Liability cover your business must hold to comply with the contract. Professional bodies and industry associations may also require members to maintain a minimum amount of Public Liability insurance to become a member or to meet licensing requirements.

Consider the amount of work that you perform and the appropriate amount of financial protection you would need in the event a Public Liability claim is made against you.

If you’re a sole trader or contractor with interacts with the public, you may want to consider having Public Liability insurance. Without a policy, you could be required to cover compensation costs and legal fees from your own pocket if a claim is made against you or your business.

For some sole traders, Public Liability insurance may be requirement to work with specific clients, enter worksites, or lease commercial space for your business.

When you buy Public Liability insurance with BizCover, you’ll receive a Certificate of Currency and other policy documents instantly. You can also log in to your account to update your policy details and download a new certificate at any time