Public Liability
Public liability covers your business if someone is injured, or their property is damaged, because of what you do. For trades, contractors and small businesses across New Zealand, it's often the first thing a client or head contractor asks to see proof of.
How the cover actually works.
Legal costs and compensation if a third party is injured or their property is damaged by your business
Cover while working on a client's site, not just at your own premises
Certificates of currency that clients, landlords or head contractors often require before work starts
Professional indemnity cover alongside it, for businesses that give advice or a professional service
This page is for you if…
Tradespeople and contractors working on other people's property
Small business owners who deal with clients, customers or the public directly
Businesses that need to show a certificate of currency to win or start a contract
Consultants and professionals whose advice or service could be relied on by a client
Two ways to get public liability sorted.
Going it alone
You compare policy wording and exclusions yourself, insurer by insurer.
No one flags it when your circumstances change and your cover no longer fits.
If a claim is ever declined, you deal with the insurer directly.
The cheapest premium today isn't checked against what it actually covers.
With a Smiths adviser
We compare public liability across the providers we work with, in plain English.
We review your cover again as your circumstances change, not just once at the start.
If you ever need to claim, we deal with the insurer on your behalf.
You get one recommendation based on your situation, not a single insurer's product.
Talk to an adviser about this.
Thirty minutes with a licensed Smiths adviser, no obligation. Leave your details and we'll be in touch, usually within one working day.
Full audit of your existing cover, fund, and policy wordings
Comparison across the providers we work with
A clear written recommendation in plain English
Implementation paperwork handled by us, not you
Why this is easier with an adviser.
Arrange cover through Aon Insurance Brokers, sized to the work you actually do
Make sure the level of cover matches what your contracts or head contractors require
Provide a certificate of currency when a client or site asks for one
Add professional indemnity alongside public liability where your business gives advice, not just does physical work
The providers we work with for this cover.
Business liability
Our advice covers the providers shown here, not every insurer or KiwiSaver provider in New Zealand. The panel can change, and we'll always confirm it when we give you advice.
Common questions about public liability.
Public liability covers physical injury or property damage caused by your business. Professional indemnity covers a financial loss a client suffers because of advice or a professional service you provided. Many businesses need both.
It depends on the work you do and what your clients or head contractors ask for in a contract. We help you match the level of cover to what's actually required.
Yes — this is one of the most common requests we handle: a certificate confirming your cover is current so you can start or tender for a job.
No, that's covered separately under contents, tools or vehicle insurance. Public liability is specifically about harm to third parties, not your own property.
Other services in this area.
Talk to the team.
Book a free review with Craig, Guy or Henry. No fees, and we're there if you ever need to claim.