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.

Liability Insurance :: Home

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.

Start here

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.

Start here

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.

Start here

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.

Start here

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.

Public Liability Insurance Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Business Insurance Articles

Disclosure and Business Changes in Liability Insurance: What Australian Businesses Should Know

Accurate information matters when applying for or renewing liability insurance. Australian businesses should understand what insurers may ask for, why business changes need to be disclosed, and how misrepresentation can affect cover, premiums and claims. - read more

Certificate of Currency for Liability Insurance: What It Shows and When It May Be Needed

A certificate of currency is commonly requested as proof that an Australian business holds current liability insurance. Here's what it usually shows, what it does not prove, and when contractors, trades and small businesses may be asked to provide one. - read more

The Cost of Being Uninsured: Why Every Australian Small Business Needs Liability Coverage

Welcome to the complex world of running a small business in Australia where navigating through liability risks is as crucial as managing daily operations. This article is crafted to illuminate why every Australian small business needs liability coverage â€” a shield to protect against potential financial catastrophes. - read more

How to Choose the Right Public Liability Insurance for Your Business

Choosing public liability insurance is not just about comparing premiums. Australian businesses should understand policy limits, exclusions, excesses, endorsements and conditions before deciding whether a policy is appropriate for their risks. - read more

Insurance News

New Isuzu Truck Recall Highlights a Claims Evidence Issue

05 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

A fresh safety recall affecting 3,710 Isuzu MY25 trucks is a timely reminder that modern truck insurance risk is not only about driver behaviour, road conditions or workshop servicing. Software, trailer systems and electronic braking signals can all become part of the evidence trail if an incident occurs. - read more

Mental Health Cover Debate Now Matters for Business Protection

05 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s life insurance sector is moving into a detailed debate over how mental health conditions should be treated in disability-style cover, and the outcome could matter for business owners who rely on insurance to protect income, debt and operational continuity. - read more

Life Claims Inquiry Puts Delays Under Fresh Scrutiny

05 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

A new Life Code Compliance Committee inquiry has put renewed attention on how Australian life insurers manage longer-running claims, finding that avoidable gaps in information requests and customer communication can add pressure to already complex total and permanent disability and income protection matters. - read more

New claims data puts life insurance dispute risk back in focus

05 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian life insurance claims performance is back under scrutiny after APRA released its latest Life Insurance Claims and Disputes Statistics on 16 October 2026, covering the rolling 12 months from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. ASIC’s MoneySmart claims comparison tool was also updated on 26 October 2026, giving consumers and business owners a clearer way to compare insurers by accepted claims, decision times, disputes and cancellation rates. - read more

Click for more Insurance News

Start Here !

Knowledgebase

Actuary:
A professional who analyzes the financial costs of risk and uncertainty using mathematics, statistics, and financial theory.

This website is owned and operated by Clark Family Pty Ltd (ACN 010 281 008) as Trustee for the Clark Family Trust (ABN 35 957 893 714), 43 Larch Street Tallebudgera QLD 4228. Clark Family Pty Ltd is an Authorised Representative (AR 1298860) of Unique Group Broker Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 509434). Check our licensing details on the ASIC registers: Clark Family Pty Ltd ACR, Clark Family Pty Ltd AR, Unique Group Broker Services.

IMPORTANT: We act solely as an introducer and refer enquiries to licensed third-party brokers, insurers, and lenders. We do not provide financial product advice or credit assistance. We may receive a fee or commission from these third parties in consideration for the referral. Before any action is taken to obtain a product or service referred to by this website, advice should be obtained (from either the third party to whom we refer you or from another qualified intermediary) as to the appropriateness of obtaining those products having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Whilst we have our own process for validating the legitimacy of our referral partners, you should independently verify the credentials and licensing of any adviser or provider you engage. Visit the ASIC website for further information.