Small Businesses
Tech Companies
Motor & Fleet

Common industry risks   

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

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The Risks

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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 car or 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 mechanical repairs 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 parts, oils or components 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 arising if mechanical repair work causes third party injury or damage to nearby property.

The policy is designed to respond to claims, defence costs and compensation linked to mechanic 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 car or 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 mechanical repairs 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 parts, oils or components 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 arising if mechanical repair work causes third party injury or damage to nearby property.

Risks Response

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

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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.

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Products

Coverages for Mechanics

Public & Products Liability, Tools of Trade, and more for Mechanics from leading insurers

Public & Products Liability

Covers injury & property claims from your services, products or at your business

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Tools of trade

Covers theft, damage or loss to work tools and equipment incl power tools, machinery and laptops

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Commercial Motor Fleet

Covers business vehicles for damage to your vehicle or a third party’s, property damage or injuries to others (excl CTP)

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Tax Audit

Covers professional costs in responding to a tax audit or tax dispute, this does not cover any tax penalty

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Claim examples

Mechanics claim examples

Real-world examples of claims mechanics may face.

Damage During Loading or Unloading
SCENARIO

While unloading a replacement engine from a delivery vehicle, the engine slips from lifting equipment and damages a customer’s car parked nearby. The vehicle owner seeks compensation for the repair costs.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Public Liability cover is designed to cover third party property damage arising from loading or unloading activities arising from your business.

Injury to a Customer
SCENARIO

A customer walks through the workshop to discuss repairs. An oil spill near a work bay isn’t noticed in time and the customer slips, injuring their ankle. They later claim medical costs and lost income due to the injury.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Public Liability insurance is designed to cover third party injury claims and defence costs, arising from your business activities.

Customer Vehicle Damage
SCENARIO

During a routine service, a mechanic lifts a customer’s car onto a hoist. A positioning error causes the vehicle to slip, damaging the undercarriage and exhaust. The customer seeks repair costs and claims their car was damaged while in your care.

WHY IT’S COVERED

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

Tow of vehicle
SCENARIO

After a collision, your workshop ute cannot be driven and needs towing from the roadside to your repairer or workshop.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Commercial Motor Vehicle insurance may respond to towing costs for your insured vehicle following an accident.

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.

Damage During Loading or Unloading

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.

SCEANRIO

While unloading a replacement engine from a delivery vehicle, the engine slips from lifting equipment and damages a customer’s car parked nearby. The vehicle owner seeks compensation for the repair costs.

IS THIS COVERED?

Public Liability cover is designed to cover third party property damage arising from loading or unloading activities arising from your business.

Damage During Loading or Unloading
SCEANRIO

A customer walks through the workshop to discuss repairs. An oil spill near a work bay isn’t noticed in time and the customer slips, injuring their ankle. They later claim medical costs and lost income due to the injury.

IS THIS COVERED?

Public Liability insurance is designed to cover third party injury claims and defence costs, arising from your business activities.

Injury to a Customer
SCEANRIO

During a routine service, a mechanic lifts a customer’s car onto a hoist. A positioning error causes the vehicle to slip, damaging the undercarriage and exhaust. The customer seeks repair costs and claims their car was damaged while in your care.

IS THIS COVERED?

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

Customer Vehicle Damage
SCEANRIO

After a collision, your workshop ute cannot be driven and needs towing from the roadside to your repairer or workshop.

IS THIS COVERED?

Commercial Motor Vehicle insurance may respond to towing costs for your insured vehicle following an accident.

Tow of vehicle
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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.

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FAQs

Mechanics insurance queries

How do I make a claim?

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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?

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What is a Certificate of Currency?

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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?

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

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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?

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What is a retroactive date?

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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?

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Do mechanics need Public Liability insurance in Australia?

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

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