The term “general liability insurance” is used in Australia, but small business cover is more commonly described as Public Liability or Public and Products Liability. Some insurers sell a product explicitly called General Liability Insurance, usually describing it as Public and Product Liability protection. Others sell Public Liability or Public and Products Liability as separate or combined covers.
The names overlap enough to cause confusion, but the specific definitions, limits and exclusions can differ between policies using either name. If you've arrived here from US content, the name alone won't tell you what's included. It's worth checking the policy wording rather than assuming based on the title.
What does Public and Products Liability cover?
Public Liability and Products Liability are commonly arranged together in Australian small business cover.
- Public Liability. Covers third-party claims for injury or property damage connected to your business activities. A common example is a customer being hurt at your premises or on a job site.
- Products Liability. Covers claims arising from injury or damage caused by products your business supplies, even after they've left your hands.
What if a contract asks for "General Liability Insurance"?
Some contracts, particularly with international clients or head contractors following US-style templates, ask for "General Liability Insurance" by name. Don't assume your existing Australian policy automatically satisfies this just because the terminology is close. Instead:
- Check what activities and products the contract actually requires cover for.
- Confirm your policy's limits meet what's specified in the contract.
- Check whether the contract's definition of "general liability" includes advertising liability or other extensions your current policy may not have.
- Where in doubt, ask your broker to confirm your Australian policy or certificate of currency actually satisfies the contract. Don't rely on the product name alone.
What should you check in a General Liability policy?
Rather than relying on the product name, check the policy wording, the schedule, and any Product Disclosure Statement that applies. Look for third-party injury cover, property damage cover, product liability if you supply goods, and any advertising-liability extension if it's relevant to your business.
Some general liability products include limited advertising-liability elements, covering claims like misleading advertising or defamation, alongside the standard injury and property damage cover. This doesn't mean every policy includes it. It also isn't a substitute for specialist media or professional indemnity cover if publishing content is a significant part of your business. Confirming this against your specific risks matters more than matching a term you've seen used elsewhere.
|
General Liability |
Public Liability |
Products Liability |
| What it usually refers to |
A US-market term, sometimes used as an Australian product name too |
The standard Australian term for third-party injury and property damage cover |
Cover for injury or damage caused by products you supply |
| What to check |
Whether the specific policy matches what a contract requires |
Limits, exclusions, and whether products liability is included |
Whether it's bundled with public liability or sold separately |
| Typical Australian usage |
Used by some insurers as a product name, and by some contracts as a requirement |
The most common term for this cover in the Australian market |
Often arranged together with public liability |
Swipe left or right to see the full table.
Where to go next
For a full breakdown of what's included and who needs it, see what is public liability insurance. upcover arranges public and products liability insurance for eligible Australian businesses.
Get a quote with upcover
About upcover
upcover is a digital-first insurance broker helping Australian small businesses get the right insurance without the paperwork or phone queues. upcover arranges insurance for businesses across Australia, with access to 80+ insurance partners.
- 70,000+ businesses covered across Australia.
- 4.9/5 customer rating.
- Instant Certificate of Currency on policy confirmation.
upcover is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1299211) of Experience Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 41 657 596 506, AFSL 539078.
The information in this article has been prepared without taking into account your individual needs, objectives or financial situation. It should not be relied upon as personal advice. All insurance products arranged through upcover are subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions contained in the relevant policy wording and Product Disclosure Statement. Before deciding whether a particular insurance product is right for you, please read the relevant PDS and consider your personal circumstances. upcover Pty Ltd ABN 17 628 197 437 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1299211) of Experience Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 41 657 596 506, AFSL 539078. upcover arranges insurance products with selected insurers and underwriters and does not compare all general insurers or insurance products available in the market.
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