Public & Products Liability Insurance Guide
Public & Products Liability Insurance Guide — guidance and information from Ipswich Insurance Brokers, a Steadfast and CBN member broker.
What is public and products liability insurance?
Public and products liability insurance covers claims from third parties alleging bodily injury or property damage arising from your business operations or the products you supply. It is one of the most commonly required business insurance products — principals, landlords, councils and clients frequently require evidence of current cover before work commences.
What this cover may include
Cover availability and terms vary between insurers and depend on individual circumstances. Subject to acceptance, a policy may include:
- Third-party bodily injury claims arising from business operations
- Third-party property damage claims
- Products liability — claims arising from goods you supply, manufacture or distribute
- Legal defence costs
- Tenants liability (damage to leased premises)
Common exclusions to be aware of
The following are commonly excluded under standard policy wordings. Specific exclusions vary between insurers — always review the Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing.
- Professional advice claims — requires professional indemnity insurance
- Employer liability to employees — covered under workers compensation
- Contractual liability beyond the common law position
- Pollution — gradual pollution typically excluded
- Intentional acts
How to arrange public and products liability insurance through Ipswich Insurance Brokers
- Submit a quote request or contact us directly to discuss your requirements
- We collect relevant information and approach appropriate markets
- We compare policy terms and conditions across insurers and present options
- We arrange binding and issue documentation once you confirm instructions
As a Steadfast and CBN member broker, Ipswich Insurance Brokers has access to a broad panel of approved insurers. We act on your behalf — not on behalf of any insurer. Our remuneration is disclosed in our Financial Services Guide.
General guidance — not personal advice
The information on this page is general guidance only. It does not constitute personal advice and does not take into account your individual circumstances. Before arranging any insurance, you should consider your specific needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. Our Disclaimer applies to all content on this site.
Frequently asked questions
How much public liability cover do I need?
The appropriate limit depends on your business activities, the contracts you hold and any requirements from principals, landlords or clients. Common limits are $5 million, $10 million and $20 million. Many principals and councils require a minimum of $10 million or $20 million before work commences. We can advise on what is typically required for your industry.
What is the difference between public liability and professional indemnity?
Public liability covers physical injury or property damage to third parties arising from your operations. Professional indemnity covers financial loss arising from your advice or professional services. If your business does both — physical work and provides advice or specifications — you may need both types of cover.
Is products liability included in public liability?
Most public liability policies include products liability as a combined section — cover for claims arising from products you supply, manufacture or distribute. The extent of products cover depends on the specific policy wording. We confirm this during placement.
What to look for when comparing public and products liability insurance policies
When reviewing options, the following points are worth considering. This is general guidance — the right approach depends on your specific situation.
Check the policy limit — many principals and councils require a minimum of $10 million or $20 million. Confirm that your specific activities are covered — certain work types may be excluded. Review the products liability section if you supply goods. Confirm that subcontractor arrangements are properly disclosed. For operations involving advice or professional services, consider whether professional indemnity is also required.
For more detailed information, see our Public And Products Liability Insurance page.
About Ipswich Insurance Brokers
Ipswich Insurance Brokers is a Steadfast and CBN member broker operating under an Australian Financial Services Licence. We act on your behalf — not on behalf of any insurer. We compare options across a broad panel of approved insurers, arrange cover, provide documentation and support claims. We are remunerated by commission from the insurer, disclosed in our Financial Services Guide. All information on this page is general guidance only — see our Disclaimer.
Public liability cover is often the first insurance a business arranges and one of the most frequently required before work commences. It is a foundational section of most business insurance programs. Where your business also provides advice or professional services, professional indemnity should be considered alongside public liability. Our Public Liability Insurance page has more detail on how we arrange this cover.