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Products and services

Public liability insurance

Protect your business against third-party accidents and costly legal fees. Let us arrange the right cover for your needs.

                              0800 376 304

What does public liability insurance cover?

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Choosing your cover level

You may need a specified limit of liability – such as $5 million – to operate your business. Check your existing contracts, compliance obligations or legislative requirements for minimum limits that may apply.

Limit of liability

We can arrange limits of liability to meet your requirements.

Let us arrange the right cover for your needs – so you can continue serving your clients with confidence.

Excess

If you need to make a claim, your policy’s excess sum is the amount of money you are liable to pay before the insurer then becomes liable for losses and legal costs.

Third party cover

Includes coverage for financial loss to a third party, damage to a third party’s property, and death of or personal injury to a third party.

Typical exclusions

Situations or events generally not covered by your liability cover. What isn’t covered varies from provider to provider. We can recommend bespoke cover for you.

Property damage

Damage to own property – such as cars, buildings, equipment or tools – is not covered. Generally, one’s own assets are covered under business package insurance.

Professional advice

Public liability insurance excludes loss or damage as a direct result of any professional advice you may have given a client. This is covered under professional indemnity insurance.

Product recalls

Public liability insurance does not cover the recall, repair, replacement or loss of your products if they are withdrawn from the market because of any defect or deficiency.

Fines and penalties

Fines and penalties are not covered under your public liability insurance. However, claims for fines and penalties may be covered under statutory liability insurance.

Contractual liability

Public liability insurance generally does not cover any liability assumed by you under a contract regardless of fault. Contractual liability insurance may mitigate some contractual liability exposures.

Key product highlights

Financial cover

Damaged the property of a customer? Help keep your business safe and stay protected against financial losses and incurred legal costs.

Coverage across industries

From events and education to trades and travel. Wherever you work, we’ll help you stay protected and stay in business.

Why use a broker?

Choosing business insurance means navigating through products, coverages and policy terminology – with a sales pitch as your only guide. At Marsh, our brokers will spot your unique set of risks, match you to the right choice, and advocate for you on price.

female insurance broker talking to clients

Why Marsh?

Why should you choose Marsh to arrange your insurance solutions?

In business, we've got your back

From mum and dad’s dairy, to national pizza chains, Marsh has a 60+ year history of supporting New Zealand’s business community. Our award-winning brokers are fluent in the latest global and Kiwi market insights and risks, but cut through the jargon to speak your language.

Local expertise

Our New Zealand-wide network of brokers have spent years at the forefront, supporting business owners manage their unique risks in a fast-changing market. Our brokers keep ahead of the latest market insights, both local and global, and break down complex terminology.

Claims support

Handling an insurance claim can quickly become overwhelming, not least when your time is stretched to the limit keeping your business going in the backdrop. We help take the load off and manage, negotiate and settle claims with insurers on your behalf.

Stay protected

It’s vital your business is protected against legal costs if an incident were to occur – even if you are not at fault. From plumbers to market stall holders and from sole traders to contractors, we’ve got you covered. So you can get on with what you do best.

A world leading broker

As a world leading insurance broker, we’ll negotiate competitive coverage on your behalf. When you choose Marsh, you’re choosing comprehensive coverage, backed by extensive industry expertise. We’ll process your claims with insurers – so you can stay committed to your business.

Ongoing support

You’ll be paired with an experienced insurance broker to get to know your needs and circumstances – and answer all your questions. We’ll help manage, negotiate and settle claims with insurers on your behalf. So you’re free to focus on your business.

Related insurance solutions

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Professional indemnity

Protect your business against claims of misleading advice, breach of duty and negligence with professional indemnity cover.

Management liability cover

Protect your business – and your team – against management and operational risks with management liability cover.
   

Insurance premium funding

Lump sum payments aren’t always practical. Pay in monthly instalments with insurance premium funding arranged by Marsh.

Frequently asked questions

Insurers use a range of details to calculate your insurance premium. These include your: 

  • Level of cover 

  • Business turnover 

  • Industry 

  • Prior claims history. 

To keep your premium low, we leverage our strong market relationships to obtain quotes from multiple insurers on your behalf.

All businesses may be susceptible to public liability claims.

In certain regions, some professions – like plumbers or electricians – must have public liability insurance.

In other instances, suppliers, customers, landlords and other parties may require you to have a certain limit of liability before you can start work.

If customers visit your premises or if you interact with members of the public, we recommend that your business is covered by public liability insurance.

A certificate of currency is proof that you hold a current insurance policy.  

Please contact us once you have accepted your policy and we will arrange for a certificate of currency to be sent to you from your insurer.

While it is not legally required for all companies, we recommend sole traders, contractors and other businesses consider obtaining public liability insurance.

Whether you work on multiple job sites, at a company office or in public areas, public liability insurance can cover your business wherever it conducts business activities.

In the trades industry, a subcontractor completing hired work may be covered by their client’s public liability insurance. However, if a subcontractor is negligent and leaves their tools out and injures a third party, then this claim may need to be made under the subcontractor’s policy.

We recommend contractors consider obtaining public liability insurance before performing work for another business.

  • Limit of liability: This is the maximum amount an insured party may receive during the period of insurance, subject to any sub-limits, which may also apply. Policy options typically offer limits of liability ranging from $5 million to $20 million.

  • Excess: This is the amount you will need to pay to make a claim on your insurance policy before the insurer then becomes liable.

  • Inclusions: These are the situations or events covered by your insurance policy.

  • Exclusions: These are the situations or events not covered by your insurance policy.

LCPA 23/150

 

Marsh Ltd (NZBN 9429040918792)(“Marsh”) arranges insurance and is not an insurer. This webpage contains general information, does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs and may not suit your personal circumstances. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers and before making any decision about whether to acquire the product, refer to the specific policy wordings and/or Product Disclosure Statements available from Marsh on request.