Public Liability Insurance
Why do I need it?
A public liability insurance policy is necessary for an organisation to protect itself against negligent claims made by a third party in respect of bodily injury or property damage arising out of the operation of the organisation's business.
Injuries may arise from things like workplace hazards, a client's participation in one of your regular programs, or something going wrong at a special event. An organisation is liable when it is found to have breached a duty it owes by acting improperly or not acting.
It is prudent to seek out insurance coverage to suit your particular needs as even the most well planned and effective organisations cannot foresee and prevent all accidents and incidents. These situations may leave event organisers, members, volunteers, directors, committee members and individuals personally liable for actions in cases where negligence can be proven. Financial penalties may attach to the liability.
Insurance cover is the encompassing component to complement a risk management plan for an organisation's general activities, its events, its attendees, staff and event organisers. Potential claims can be minimised by a thorough and rigorous process of assessment and procedures. This includes an honest assessment of the required insurance cover to suit the specific organisation and its events and activities.
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Public Liability Options
Some organisations have found it difficult to find affordable public liability cover. Here are some options you can follow up.
MAV Community Groups Insurance Scheme
This scheme has been specifically designed to provide reasonable, affordable public and products liability insurance cover to the vast majority of not-for-profit organisations. The scheme provides insurance that indemnifies not for profit community groups against legal liability for personal injury and property damage claims arising out of negligence caused by their activities or products. Organisations dealing in sporting and adventure activities and emergency services are not eligible for insurance cover under this scheme.
For more information relating to insurance issues for community groups, to obtain a quotation or to get cover with MAV scheme, visit the insurance centre website at www.communityinsurance.com.au Should you be unable to ascertain satisfactory information from this web site or encounter difficulties please contact Jardine Lloyd Thompson on (03) 9860 3470 or email communityinsurance@jlta.com.au
GIO Suncorp Not for Profit Public and Products Liability Insurance Policy
GIO Suncorp offer insurance cover to a range of organisations, similar to the MAV scheme but also offer coverage to groups and organisations that have not been able to obtain coverage such as some sporting clubs and other organisations.
For more information on GIO Suncorp scheme or for a quote contact:
- NFPO Phone Number: 1300 763 117
- NFPO email address: nfpo@suncorp.com.au.
- Fax Number: 1300 799 786
Community Care Underwriting Agency (CCUA)
CCUA's Public Liability product is designed for not for profit organisations that have a turnover of no more then $2,000,000 per annum and that have people involved on a volunteer basis. CCUA explore the possibilities where other insurers may not. They have covered many outdoor activities that have been unable to obtain cover elsewhere.
To obtain a quote for the CCUA scheme or for further information, visit their website at www.community-care.com.au or call 1800 023 456 or (02) 8227 8230.
Artworkers Alliance
Artworkers Alliance is a peak advocacy body for visual art, craft and design practitioners and offers a comprehensive range of services to promote professional development and facilitate employment opportunities for artists and art workers. Underwritten by a major international insurance company, an Artworkers accredited membership includes comprehensive public and product liability insurance, including some cover for teaching/workshops.
For more information please contact Artworkers on Ph: (07) 3215 0850 or 1300 780 291 (local charges for regional callers) or email info@artworkers.org You can also visit their website at http://www.artworkers.org/
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Free support services
Public Liability Information Service
A free Public Liability Information Service is offered by the Insurance Council of Australia to assist members of the community experiencing difficulties obtaining affordable cover. The service is provided through Insurance Enquiries and Complaints Limited and provides callers with advice about group buying, risk management, avenues for pooling arrangements and the possible use of brokers to find cover. For further information contact the Public Liability Information Service, Melbourne (03) 9629 4109 or 1300 363 683.
Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH)
PILCH is an independent not for profit legal referral service. It seeks to meet the legal needs of community groups, not for profit organisations and individuals from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds. PILCH acts as a facilitator for the community to access pro bono legal assistance from the private legal profession. For further information visit their website http://www.pilch.org.au/html/s01_home/home.asp?dsb=14
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Risk Management
Linked to the issue of Public Liability Insurance is the issue of Risk Management. Many insurance companies are interested in how an organisations is minimising or managing potential risks associated with their organisation's activities and functions and may even ask if your organisation has a Risk Management Plan. There are tools available that will help organisations identify and manage their risks. Included below is information on how to access some of these tools.
ourcommunity help-sheets and resources
A range of fact sheets and resources on the topic of Risk Management and other insurance issues are available at the Community Insurance Centre at http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/insurance/insurance_main.jsp.
Volunteering Australia Publication
Volunteering Australia, with assistance from the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services has produced a publication entitled Running the Risk? Risk Management Tool for Volunteer Involving Organisations. This publication will help organisations to identify the range of risks that might affect them and their volunteer staff and provides tools to implement strategies to deal with these risks and includes case studies. Download a copy of  Running the Risk? here.
Community Care Underwriting Agency
CCUA want you to understand your insurance needs and what influences your premiums. To this end it is important that you understand your risks and the management of those risks. To help you, they have developed two products that assist you in these areas. They are:
- CARES: a web based risk management tool designed to assist organisations in understanding the concepts of risk management.
- CLUBSINC: a program that provides the information and tools to run community organisations.
To access CARES and to get information on CLUBSINC visit their website at www.community-care.com.au or call 1800 023 456 or (02) 8227 8230.
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More information
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer phone ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Community Development
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