Public & Products Liability Insurance – Insurance Guidance & Quotes
For sole traders through to commercial operators, public liability is often the most-used section of a business policy — it responds when accidents happen despite your best efforts.
Need liability cover sorted? Talk to a local broker.
✅ What this insurance covers
- Public liability — third-party bodily injury or property damage arising from your business activities
- Products liability — claims arising from products you manufacture, supply or sell causing harm
- Legal defence costs — covered as part of the policy limit (confirm with your specific policy)
- Tenants liability — damage to leased premises often included (subject to policy)
- Cross liability — multiple insured parties covered against claims between them
⚠️ Common gaps
- Limit too low for contract requirements — check principal contractor minimums
- Activities excluded that match what you actually do — business description critical
- Products liability absent when you supply or sell physical goods
- Professional services exclusion present when you give advice as part of your work
- Retroactive date issues when switching insurers mid-year
How to structure public liability cover
- 1) Activity description — be precise about everything you do
- 2) Limit required — check contracts, leases and client requirements
- 3) Products — list all goods manufactured, sold or supplied
- 4) Location — on-site, off-site, sub-contracted, multi-state
- 5) Cross liability — if multiple entities need to be insured
If you need to make a claim
- Notify us immediately — even minor incidents that may develop into claims
- Preserve evidence, photographs and witness details
- Do not admit liability without speaking to us first
- Lodge a formal claim even for incidents you expect to resolve privately
Who this cover suits
- Trades and contractors
- Retail and hospitality businesses
- Manufacturers and product suppliers
- Rural businesses with visitors on-site
Renewal checklist
- Review activity description — has your business scope changed?
- Check limits against current contract and lease requirements
- Confirm products are all listed and valued correctly
- Verify retroactive date if switching insurer
Related pages
Business Insurance · Trades Insurance · Management Liability · Contact Us
❓ Common questions about this cover
Here are some of the questions we are commonly asked when arranging public & products liability insurance for clients across the Granite Belt, New England and Northern Rivers.
- How much does public & products liability insurance cost? Premium depends on your specific situation — cover type, sum insured, activities, claims history and insurer selection all affect the price. We compare options and explain the differences.
- Do I need a broker or can I go direct? You can go direct to an insurer, but a broker compares multiple markets, structures cover to match your needs, and advocates for you at claim time. For complex or rural risks, broker access often finds options not available direct.
- What happens if I need to claim? Contact us immediately. We manage the notification process, help you document the loss, liaise with the insurer and their assessors, and advocate for a fair outcome.
- How do I know if I’m underinsured? Your sum insured should reflect the full cost of rebuilding or replacing at today’s prices. We can help you review your sums insured at renewal.
Talk to a local broker
Granite Belt Insurance Brokers has been arranging insurance across the Granite Belt, New England and Northern Rivers since 1999. We are based in Stanthorpe and understand the local conditions, local risks and local insurer appetite. To arrange or review your insurance, contact us without obligation.
- Call: 07 4681 1289 — Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm
- ✉️ Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
- Request a quote or review: Contact Us
Limits, excesses and contractual requirements
Public and products liability limits in Australia typically range from $5 million to $50 million. The limit you require is often determined by:
- Principal contractor requirements — head contractors often require $20m or $50m minimum from subcontractors
- Government contracts — public sector work typically requires $20m minimum
- Lease obligations — commercial landlords often specify minimum liability limits in the lease
- Industry body requirements — some trades and professional associations specify minimum cover
- Client contracts — commercial agreements often contain indemnity clauses requiring specified limits
The excess on a public liability policy is the amount you pay toward each claim. Higher excesses reduce premium but must be sustainable. We advise on appropriate excess levels based on your cash flow and the type of claims typically made in your industry.
Need liability cover sorted? Talk to a local broker.
Why use Granite Belt Insurance Brokers
As an Authorised Representative of Community Broker Network Pty Ltd (CBN AFSL 233750) and a Steadfast Group member, Granite Belt Insurance Brokers has access to a broad panel of admitted insurers and products not available through direct channels. Our team holds formal qualifications including Diploma of Insurance Broking, QPIB and Senior Associate CIP (ANZIIF).
We act on your behalf — not the insurer’s — to help you understand your options, prepare information for underwriting, and support you through the claims process.
What to do next
If you would like to discuss your insurance requirements, contact us for a no-obligation conversation. We will help you understand what information is typically needed and what options may be available for your situation.
Call 07 4681 1289 · email hidden; JavaScript is required · Contact Us
All strategies and information provided on this website are general advice only which does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. Please arrange an appointment to seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. Cover availability, terms, exclusions and premiums vary by insurer, product and individual circumstance.