Public Liability
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What is Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance protects your business against claims of personal injury or property damage made by a third party because of your negligent business operations. For example, if someone slips, falls, and injures themselves on your business premises, or their property is damaged while you’re providing a service, they may take legal action against you or your business to recover their loss.
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Allied Health
Including Acupuncturist, Audiologists, Beauty Therapist, Counsellor, Health consultants and more.
Chiropractors & Osteopaths
Occupational Therapist
Professionals
Including Design Professionals, Consultants, Accountants and more.
Psychologist
Pilates and Yoga Instructors
Other Health, Fitness & Wellbeing
Including Personal Trainer, Physiotherapists and Podiatrists.
Real Estate
Including Real Estate Agents.
Events
Music, Dance, Performers
Photography, Film, Entertainment
Community & Not-for-Profit
Let's learn more about Public Liability Insurance
What is typically covered and not covered?
| Covered | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Legal Liability: Damages you're legally responsible to pay a third party for the personal injury or property damage caused by your negligent business activities. This can also include their legal fees. | Claims of injury made by you or your own employees |
| Defence costs: Your legal costs incurred in responding to the claim, even if a court decides you're not liable to the third party. | Damage made by you or your employees to your own/ business property |
| A cyber-attack experienced by your business | |
| Allegations of defamation brought against you |
Who needs Public Liability Insurance
Why Aon?
Don't just insure, be sure.
Industry expertise
Feel confident about your choice of insurance by talking with specialists in your industry
Local support
All brokers based in Australia
Global broker
Our global scale means we can negotiate competitive quality insurance products with insurers
Client education
We provide specialist resources on business insurance and risk management to help you stay on top of current and emerging risks in your industry
Public Liability Claims Examples
Claim #1
Margaret* was walking down the escalators at a shopping centre, when she slipped and fell. She suffered severe cuts as a result of the fall, as well as a fracture. It had been raining that day, and while there were warning signs, and non-slip mats throughout the centre, the floor was still wet due to customers coming in. Due to the injuries suffered by Margaret, she took legal action against the centre as she believed her injuries were due to the shopping centre’s negligence.
The shopping centre was required to pay Margaret compensation, as they were held legally liable for her injuries. Public Liability Insurance held by the shopping centre covered the cost of legal representation for the owners of the shopping centre, as well as the compensation required to be paid to Margaret.
Claim #2
Debbie* was an elderly woman who enjoyed travelling. She rented a holiday home managed by Grant*. As she sat on a plastic chair on the balcony, the chair broke under her weight. Debbie suffered serious injuries as a result of this fall. She took legal action against Grant, as well as the owner of the property as she believed they were negligent in keeping a defective chair at the holiday apartment. Grant’s Public Liability Insurance arranged through Aon was able to help cover the legal fees he incurred in defending himself, as well as the compensation he was required to pay Debbie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Public Liability Insurance mandatory?
Public Liability Insurance may be a necessary requirement before licences for certain trades are issued. It is one of the most basic insurance products needed by businesses. In our opinion, if your work interacts with members of the public in any way, or if you have a physical business site where members of the public can attend, then Public Liability Insurance is highly recommended.
What is the difference between Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability Insurance?
Professional Indemnity Insurance provides cover for claims made against your business by third parties claiming that your professional services or advice caused them loss.
Public Liability Insurance covers the costs associated with a third party’s claim for personal injury or property damage or due to products that are sold or supplied through your business.
Who may not need Public Liability Insurance?
If you work from home, and only perform your work online (without any physical interaction with members of the public), then you may not need public liability insurance.
Do I need Public Liability Insurance if I am self-employed?
Public Liability Insurance is highly recommended if you're self-employed and have a physical business premises where clients or other members of the public can visit you. Even if you don't have clients visiting you on your premises, you may also require it if you have any form of contact with members of the public.
Do I need Public Liability Insurance if I’m an employee?
If you’re an employee of an organisation and your employer has public liability insurance in place, you may not need to take out your own policy, however it’s always a good idea to ask your employer to check their insurance policy to ensure it is current, and covers actions of employees.
Is Public Liability Insurance tax-deductible?
According to the Australian Taxation Office, you may be able to claim the cost of any premiums you pay for insurance against the loss of your income. You should always speak to your accountant to check your eligibility to claim expenses.
Does Public Liability Insurance cover employees?
If an employee suffers an injury while working for your business, public liability insurance will not provide any coverage for this. If your business employs staff, you will need to take out Workers' Compensation to cover staff members.
I’ve taken out Business Insurance, do I need Public Liability Insurance as well?
Public liability insurance can be taken out as a standalone policy, or as part of a business insurance policy. If you’ve selected public liability when taking out your business insurance policy, then you don’t need to take out another public liability policy separately.
What is the difference between Public Liability and Product Liability?
Public Liability insurance covers your legal liability caused directly by your business activities or on your business premises during the course of your work. Product Liability insurance covers loss or damage caused by products your business sells.
For example, if you operate a catering business, and food you serve makes someone sick, you could be held liable to pay damages and the cost of their treatment. If you are a professional providing a service, Product Liability may not be applicable to you. Instead, if a client alleged your service or advice caused them financial loss or injury, you would need professional indemnity insurance to help cover this.
I’m a tradie, can I arrange Public Liability Insurance through Aon?
If you’re a builder, tradie or subcontractor, Aon can arrange public liability insurance as part of our joint venture with Housing Institute of Australia – click here to visit the HIAIS website.
As a professional, what other types of insurance might I need?
Depending on your profession, and the nature of the work you carry out, there are several different policies you may need to consider.
For example, if you have an office and have clients visit you, you can take out a [Business Insurance pack](https://www.aondirect.com.au/insurance/business-insurance-pack ""Business Insurance pack"") to help cover the cost to repair your premises if your office is damaged by fire, storm or other event, as well as [Public and Products Liability](https://www.aondirect.com.au/insurance/public-liability ""Public Liability"") to help cover you if someone is injured on your property or by your products. Cyber Insurance also offers important protection, which can help protect your business against cyber threats and other internet-based risks.
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*Names have been anonymised for privacy reasons