Our insurance brokers' approach to risk management helps you to achieve the right level of public and product liability insurance cover. We take the time to gain a deep understanding of your business and industry, and work in partnership with your team to implement a robust risk management program that protects you now and into the future.

No business or industry is without some degree of risk. Managing the risks inherent in your business enhances organisational wellbeing and represents real security for you, your staff and your business when the unexpected happens.

Public liability insurance is something we recommend for all businesses that interact with the public, even in small ways. This cover offers protection for you, your staff and members of the public, by covering financial costs involved if a third party seeks compensation for your negligent actions.

Connect with us to request a public liability insurance quote or proposal. Our insurance brokers have the expertise and experience to obtain the insurance cover you need.

What is public liability insurance?

If you or your staff have been negligent in the workplace and a third party (not an employee) is injured physically or psychologically, had their property damaged or suffered financial loss, they may sue you for money to compensate them for their injury or loss. Negligence may be established if it can be shown that your actions failed to demonstrate reasonable care for others. Of course, the claimant will need to evidence your negligence and their loss, and the claim may not be successful. You will, however, still need to defend against such claims.

What does public liability insurance cover?

Public liability insurance covers you for the financial loss you incur in legal costs and any amount payable in compensation when you are defending a claim of negligence made against you or your staff.

This cover has the capacity to save you and your business thousands of dollars in legal fees and may represent the difference between the success or failure of your organisation.

Who needs public liability insurance?

If you deal with members of the public in any capacity at your place of business you need insurance that protects you in the event of an accident or unexpected outcome. Public liability insurance protects against your legal liability to customers, clients and members of the public, i.e. third parties (not employees) for:

  • Bodily injury
  • Property damage arising out of the business's activities or products

In addition to damages awarded or out of court settlement costs, the policy covers the legal costs of investigating and defending a claim made against you, your staff and/or your business — costs that can often match or exceed the damages payable.

Even if you are innocent and found not negligent, the process involves significant legal costs. Public indemnity cover protects you against both actual negligence and allegations of negligence — even if the allegations are unproved.

How much does public liability insurance cost?

The answer depends on your business activities and the products you sell. Our advice is to buy as much cover as your business can afford because any shortfall between the amount of insurance and the cost of a claim may be at the expense of your business's and your own personal assets.

An insurance broker with expertise in this area can help you to decide the level of insurance cover you require and the business entities and people who should be covered under the policy, either in a package or as stand-alone cover, and your options for choosing an excess.

Connect with a broker for an assessment of your public liability cover needs.

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Product liability insurance

What is product liability insurance?

Product liability insurance is usually included in your public liability policy and is essential if you sell, supply or deliver products to members of the public. The policy comes into effect if your goods are deemed to have caused loss or damage. Loss or damage can include injuries, death or economic loss caused by damage to, or destruction of someone else's property or possessions. Having the correct product liability in place that enables you to manage insurable risks associated with design defects, manufacturing defects, inadequate labelling, or instructions or warnings is essential to the security of your business.

Connect with us to request a product liability insurance quote or proposal. Our insurance brokers have the expertise and experience to obtain the insurance cover you need.

Who needs product liability insurance?

If your business produces, sells or transports consumer goods these can present potential hazards to members of the public. Product liability refers to a business's responsibility if another person (who isn't an employee) is harmed physically or psychologically by one of its products, or suffers financial loss or damage to their property as result of negligence by you or one of your employees. This could take the form of injury, death or damage to or destruction of one of the claimant's possessions, including fixtures, buildings or land.

What is the difference between public liability and product liability insurance?

While public liability relates to injury or damage to property accidentally sustained on your business premises or as a result of your business activities, product liability concerns the material outputs your business produces or manufactures, such as food products or consumer items. Policies that bundle both risk exposures together are available as a combined package.

Why choose Gallagher

  • Local expertise, global strength
  • Priority claims service to support and guide you if something goes wrong
  • Specialists that get to know your business
  • Extensive branch network to help you wherever you are based

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