Insurance for General Contractors

Key risks

Common industry risks

Understanding the risks in your industry and how our comprehensive coverage responds to protect your business.

The Risks

Risks Response

Loading & Unloading of Registered Vehicles

Damage to someone else's property while loading or unloading your parked vehicle as part of your business activities, where you are legally liable for the loss.

Some Public Liability and Commercial Motor Vehicle policies may respond to property damage claims arising from loading or unloading your vehicle.

Care, Custody & Control

Damage to a client’s property while it is in your possession, not in relation to the services performed.

Public Liability can include coverage for third party property that is damaged while in your possession.

Vicarious Liability

Liability arising from the acts of contractors or sub-contractors carrying out site work for you.

Public Liability can include coverage for work done on your behalf that leads to a liability claim against you.

Products Liability

Liability from supplied fixtures or materials causing third party injury or property damage.

The policy is designed to cover defence costs and compensation for covered products liability claims.

Public Liability

Liability from general contractor works that results in third party injury or property damage.

The policy is designed to respond to claims, defence costs and compensation linked to contractor work.

Loading & Unloading of Registered Vehicles

The Risks

Damage to someone else's property while loading or unloading your parked vehicle as part of your business activities, where you are legally liable for the loss.

Risks Response

Some Public Liability and Commercial Motor Vehicle policies may respond to property damage claims arising from loading or unloading your vehicle.

Care, Custody & Control

The Risks

Damage to a client’s property while it is in your possession, not in relation to the services performed.

Risks Response

Public Liability can include coverage for third party property that is damaged while in your possession.

Vicarious Liability

The Risks

Liability arising from the acts of contractors or sub-contractors carrying out site work for you.

Risks Response

Public Liability can include coverage for work done on your behalf that leads to a liability claim against you.

Products Liability

The Risks

Liability from supplied fixtures or materials causing third party injury or property damage.

Risks Response

The policy is designed to cover defence costs and compensation for covered products liability claims.

Public Liability

The Risks

Liability from general contractor works that results in third party injury or property damage.

Risks Response

The policy is designed to respond to claims, defence costs and compensation linked to contractor work.

Important: Scenarios are examples only. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions and exclusions. Limits and sub-limits might apply. Policy wordings vary between insurers. Refer to the PDS or Policy Wording for details.

Claim examples

General Contractors claim examples

Simple, real-world examples to help you understand what claims may involve.

Tool Theft

SCENARIO

Your securely locked ute is parked at home overnight with tools in a locked canopy. Thieves force the lock, leaving visible damage and stealing your power tools. You report it and need replacements to keep the job moving.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Tools of Trade is designed to cover theft of tools and equipment from a securely locked vehicle where there is evidence of forced entry. Tools left in open air are generally not covered.

Trailer side swipe

SCENARIO

Turning into a narrow site access, your trailer swings out and scrapes a neighbour's parked ute. They want your business to pay for the damage.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Commercial motor vehicle insurance may respond to third party property damage claims arising from your insured vehicle while towing a trailer.

Injury to Others

SCENARIO

During a site visit, a supplier trips over an extension lead on your build site and breaks their wrist. They need treatment and time off work, then claim compensation and legal costs from you as the general contractor.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Public and Products Liability is designed to cover claims for third party injures due to an accident caused by your business operations, plus reasonable defence costs.

Client Property Damage

SCENARIO

You’re supervising a bathroom reno and a subcontractor drills into a concealed pipe. Water floods the hallway and damages timber flooring. The owner asks you to pay for repairs and makes a claim against your business.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party property damage claims arising from your business activities.

SCEANRIO

A support worker gave a participant the wrong medication due to a mislabeled pillbox. The participant experienced severe drowsiness and dehydration, requiring overnight hospitalization.

WHY IT'S COVERED

Costs included $8,200 for hospital and rehabilitation, $12,500 for legal defence, and a $7,500 settlement to resolve the claim out of court.

Tool Theft

SCENARIO

A support worker gave a participant the wrong medication due to a mislabeled pillbox. The participant experienced severe drowsiness and dehydration, requiring overnight hospitalization.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Costs included $8,200 for hospital and rehabilitation, $12,500 for legal defence, and a $7,500 settlement to resolve the claim out of court.

SCENARIO

A support worker gave a participant the wrong medication due to a mislabeled pillbox. The participant experienced severe drowsiness and dehydration, requiring overnight hospitalization.

IS THIS COVERED?

Costs included $8,200 for hospital and rehabilitation, $12,500 for legal defence, and a $7,500 settlement to resolve the claim out of court.

FAQs

General Contractors insurance queries

How do I make a claim?

You should notify your insurer as soon as you become aware of a claim or circumstance that may give rise to a claim which could include a client complaint, you discovering an incident or an allegation of harm. Claims should be made in writing and handled in line with the claims notification requirements which will be outlined in your policy wording.

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How do I make a claim?

What is a Certificate of Currency?

A Certificate of Currency is issued by an insurance company and is something you can use as proof that your existing insurance policy is valid. It contains all the information regarding your policy. You may be asked from time to time to prove your insurance - for loans to your business, for landlords of your premises, or for certain clients you might have. The moment you purchase your insurance from upcover you can send your proof of insurance to whoever requires it, at just a click of a button.

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What is a Certificate of Currency?

How quickly do I need to report an incident to my insurer?

You should notify your insurer as soon as you become aware of any incident, claim, or circumstance that may give rise to a claim. Professional Indemnity insurance typically operates on a "claims made and notified" basis, meaning both the claim must be made against you AND you must notify the insurer during the active insurance period (or discovery period if applicable). Late notification after policy expiry may not be covered unless you have purchased an extended discovery period. Prompt notification is essential to protect your rights under your insurance.

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How quickly do I need to report an incident to my insurer?

What is a retroactive date?

A retroactive date is the earliest date from which a claim can arise and still be covered under your policy. Professional Indemnity and certain other claims-made policies will only respond to claims arising from acts, errors or omissions that occurred on or after the retroactive date listed in your policy schedule. If an incident occurred before your retroactive date, it typically will not be covered even if the claim is made during the current policy period. Maintaining continuous cover without gaps helps protect your retroactive date — check your policy schedule or ask your broker if you are unsure of your retroactive date.

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What is a retroactive date?

Do contractors need Public Liability insurance in Australia?

Public Liability insurance is not legally required for contractors in Australia, but it is commonly expected. Many clients, builders and principal contractors require evidence of cover before work starts. Public Liability insurance is designed to cover your legal liability if a third party is injured or their property is damaged as a result of their business activities, subject to the policy terms, limits and exclusions.

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Do contractors need Public Liability insurance in Australia?

What insurance do general contractors typically have?

The type of insurance general contractors typically have depends on how they operate and the work they perform. Common coverage can include Public and Products Liability insurance for third party injury or property damage, Tools of Trade insurance for tools and equipment, Commercial Motor Vehicle insurance and Workers Compensation if you employ staff. Additional cover may be needed depending on your contracts, locations and business activities.

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What insurance do general contractors typically have?

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The information contained on this website is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account your individual needs, objectives and financial situation. It should not be relied upon as advice. All insurance products 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 consider your personal circumstances and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, Target Market Determination, Policy Wording, and Financial Services Guide.

Insurance for General Contractors

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Common industry risks

The Risks

Risks Response

The Risks

Risks Response

The Risks

Risks Response

The Risks

Risks Response

The Risks

Risks Response

The Risks

Risks Response

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Coverages for General Contractors

General Contractors claim examples

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General Contractors insurance queries

How do I make a claim?

How do I make a claim?

What is a Certificate of Currency?

What is a Certificate of Currency?

How quickly do I need to report an incident to my insurer?

How quickly do I need to report an incident to my insurer?

What is a retroactive date?

What is a retroactive date?

Do contractors need Public Liability insurance in Australia?

Do contractors need Public Liability insurance in Australia?

What insurance do general contractors typically have?

What insurance do general contractors typically have?

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