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Public Liability Insurance Western Australia

Compare online quotes for public liability insurance in WA here with Savvy today. 

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, updated on August 1st, 2023       

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It doesn’t matter whether you live in Perth or Rockingham; if your business has any contact with members of the public, public liability insurance is a must. It can cover your business if someone gets hurt or if property belonging to a third party gets damaged, offering protection for a range of covered events. 

You can compare quotes for public liability insurance in WA here with Savvy. Just by answering a few simple questions, you’ll have a range of instant quotes from some of Australia’s leading insurers to compare. Get started with a free, no-obligation quote with us today. 

Public liability insurance in WA – what is it and how does it work?

As a business owner in WA, you have a duty of care to the public to ensure that no one gets hurt as a result of your business activity. If someone does get injured, or their property damaged, public liability insurance can help to cover costs if you’re required to defend yourself in court.  

If you’re found to be negligent, you could face a very expensive compensation claim, sometimes amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. Public liability insurance can help you cover these costs. It’s important to note that all coverage will be subject to your claim meeting your insurer’s eligibility criteria. 

There are three levels of public liability insurance available: $5 million, $10 million and $20 million. The level of cover you may require will depend on your business’ situation and any requirements of your landlord or the government department you are in contact with to issue an operating licence. 

You can get multiple quotes for many forms of business insurance right here through Savvy. Just answer a few questions and within minutes you’ll have a range of quotes to compare, so it’s simple to start the process today.

What does public liability insurance cover my WA business for?

Typically, public liability insurance covers a business for the following: 

  1. Compensation costs for third-party injuries
  2. Third-party property damage caused by your negligent business activity 
  3. Compensation for damage to third-party property which is in your possession 
  4. The cost of defending yourself or your business against these allegations 

What isn’t covered by public liability insurance? 

The following are not usually covered by public liability insurance: 

  1. The cost of damages if you are found to be professionally negligent 
  2. The cost of fixing damage caused by faulty workmanship 
  3. Injuries to yourself, your employees or workers 
  4. Damage to your own property or business assets (which can be covered through business assets insurance
  5. The cost of product recalls to prevent further damage 
  6. Events which happened outside of the insured period (such as before you purchased your insurance policy) 

All insurance policies offer different levels of cover and are subject to eligibility criteria and terms and conditions, so it’s important to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) and compare policies carefully so you can be more aware of what is and isn’t covered.  

Which types of businesses in WA need public liability insurance?

No matter whether your business is based in Geraldton or Mandurah, any business which has contact with members of the public should have public liability insurance. Examples of businesses that frequently take out this type of cover include: 

  • Retailers, restaurants and cafes 
  • Real estate agents, conveyancers and consultants 
  • Builders, tradesmen and sole traders 
  • Legal and medical professionals 
  • Engineers, surveyors and architects 
  • Manufacturers and wholesalers 
  • Travel and tourism operators 
  • Finance and IT professionals 

How do I compare public liability insurance for my business in WA?

These are some of the areas you should compare when deciding which insurance policy is the best one for your business: 

Areas of coverage 

This is the most important area to consider before deciding which insurance policy is the best one for your business. Check that the policy you’re looking at offers cover for areas which you feel are the highest risk to your business and familiarise yourself with any exclusions and other terms and conditions which form part of the policy. 

Cost 

Naturally, we all want to find the best value insurance available, but the cheapest policy on offer may not always be the right one for your circumstances if it doesn’t offer cover in the areas you need. However, it’s still worth comparing offers to make sure you aren’t paying more than you need to for coverage. 

Claim limits 

Before deciding on the level of cover you require (ranging from $5 million to $20 million), think about your own business needs and check if there are any minimum requirements stipulated by other companies you deal with. For example, if you are a contractor, the firm you work for may have a requirement that all its contractors have at least $10 million worth of cover. Also, consider any requirements of your landlord or government agencies which issue permits or licences you may need to carry out your business. 

Add-ons and optional extras 

Read the PDS which comes with your policy carefully and look at the optional extras and add-ons which may be on offer. Think about your business’ situation and consider if any of these add-ons are necessary.  

What factors will affect the cost of my public liability insurance in WA?

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Frequently asked questions about public liability insurance in WA

Do general business insurance packages in WA also cover public liability?

A general business insurance package may include general business insurance, professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance in one bundle, though this will depend on the insurer you choose to go with and your business’ profile. Some insurers may also allow you to pick and choose elements of different policies to include in your package. 

Is public liability insurance compulsory in WA?

No – public liability insurance is not compulsory under Australian law, but it may be compulsory in certain situations. For example, if you wish to hold a public event such as a community market, your local council may require you to have a specified level of public liability insurance in order to issue you a permit to hold your event. 

Do I have to have public liability insurance if I’m a sole trader in WA?

It isn’t compulsory to have public liability insurance, but if you offer a trade or service to members of the public, you should consider public liability insurance to protect you in case there is a claim your business caused damage to a customer’s property. Your employer may have this in place as part of your employment package or, if you’re a contractor or subcontractor, it may be a requirement to have this insurance in place before you begin your work. 

What’s the difference between public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance can offer cover for an individual or business against claims that bad advice was given, or the service provided was negligent. On the other hand, public liability insurance may offer protection from claims that a third party was injured or their property was damaged as a result of business negligence. All coverage is subject to your insurer’s qualification criteria, however. 

What is a Certificate of Currency and do I need one in WA?

A Certificate of Currency is an official document that proves you are covered by a certain type of insurance from a specified date and time. It’ll automatically be sent to you when you pay your first insurance premium. You may need this document to prove to your council or landlord that you do have the necessary insurance. 

Do I have to have public liability insurance if my business is based at home?

The level of insurance you require will depend on the risks you face from potential legal action from third parties. If you visit your customers’ homes or have any of their property in your care, it may be worth considering public liability insurance for your business if you believe there’s a risk of a claim being made against you. 

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Savvy does not compare all business insurance policies or providers currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

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