Start smart. Scale strong. Stay protected.​

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Public & Products Liability Insurance

When someone gets hurt or something gets damaged... you're covered

Whether it’s a client tripping over a cable in your office or a product that causes damage, Public & Products Liability protects you from the claims that could sink your business.

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What could go wrong

(and why you need this)

Most founders think “nothing bad will happen to me.” Then reality hits. Here’s what Public & Products Liability actually protects you from

Scenario 1

The office visitor incident

You’re running a 4-person design agency. A client visits your office for a presentation, trips over a laptop charger cable, and breaks their wrist. They’re off work for 6 weeks and claim $45,000* for lost income and medical costs. Without cover, that’s coming out of your business bank account… or worse, your personal assets.

What Public Liability covers

Their medical bills, lost income claim, your legal defence costs, and the court settlement if it goes that far.

Scenario 2

The damaged property

You’re a solo consultant meeting clients at their premises. You spill coffee on their $8,000* laptop during a presentation. They send you an invoice. You pay it, thinking that’s the end. Then they claim the laptop contained unrecoverable client data worth $50,000* in lost contracts.

What Public Liability covers

The damaged laptop, your legal costs to defend against the data loss claim, and any settlement if the court finds you liable.

Scenario 3

The product that causes damage

You sell handmade candles online. A customer’s candle tips over, starts a small fire, and damages their dining table ($2,000*) and part of their wall ($5,000*). They are seeking compensation, plus their excess, for the home insurance claim. Total bill: $9,000*.

What Public Liability covers

The property damage, their insurance excess, your legal defence, and the settlement.

Scenario 4

The contractor requirement

You’ve just landed your first big client. They’re ready to sign, but their contract requires $10 million* Public Liability cover before you can start work. Without it, you can’t take the job. With it, you send them a Certificate of Currency and start on Monday.

What Public Liability covers

Meeting contractual requirements so you can actually do business with professional clients.

What this actually covers

Public Liability

Public Liability protects you if:

  • Someone is injured at your premises or while you’re working at theirs
  • You damage someone else’s property (client’s laptop, venue equipment, supplier’s stock)
  • Someone sues you for compensation due to injury or property damage caused by your business activities

Products Liability protects you if:

  • A product you make, sell, or supply causes injury to someone
  • A product you sold causes property damage
  • Someone claims your product was defective and caused them loss

What's typically covered:

  • Legal defence costs (often more expensive than the claim itself)
  • Compensation payments to injured parties
  • Medical expenses for injured third parties
  • Property damage you’re liable for
  • Court costs and settlements
  • Your legal representation

What's typically not covered

  • Damage to your own property or equipment (that’s Business Property insurance)
  • Injuries to your employees (that’s Workers Compensation)
  • Your own professional mistakes or advice (that’s Professional Indemnity)
  • Intentional damage or illegal activities
  • Contractual liability (unless specifically included)

When you need this

By founder stage

Start smart

Pre-launch to first year

You need this from Day 1 if:

  • You’re meeting clients face-to-face (their office or yours)
  • You’re working from a co-working space or rented premises
  • You’re selling physical products—even if it’s just online
  • Your lease requires proof of insurance
  • You’re hiring contractors or freelancers who work on-site

Typical coverage

$5-10 million is standard. Most commercial leases and client contracts require a minimum $10 million.

Scale strong

Growing and hiring

Your cover needs to increase when:

  • You’re taking on larger clients with higher contract requirements ($20M+ cover)
  • Your revenue exceeds $1M (higher revenue = higher risk exposure)
  • You’re selling products to retailers (they’ll require higher limits)
  • You’re exhibiting at events or running workshops
  • You’re importing or manufacturing products

Typical coverage

$10-20 million. Some corporate clients require $20-50 million for larger contracts.

Stay protected

Established and optimising

Review your cover if:

  • You’ve changed what you sell or how you deliver services
  • You’ve moved into new industries or markets
  • You’re exporting products internationally
  • You’ve had a near-miss incident that wasn’t quite claim-worthy
  • Your premiums have jumped significantly at renewal (shop around)

Typical coverage

This is where things get custom, and you need to talk to the team at Pocket to evaluate your specific needs. 

Common questions

Founders actually ask

Do I need this if I'm just working from home and never see clients?

If you never have anyone visit, never go to client sites, and don’t sell physical products, you might be able to skip it initially. But the moment you meet a client, attend a co-working space, or have a supplier visit, you need it. Most founders need it from the very beginning.