Public Liability Insurance

• Any public liability policy which we might hold for our home premises does not extend to directees we see there. In the insurance industry, the direction session is regarded as a business transaction, and a different policy would be required to ensure coverage.

• The policy we have on our home or residence will include coverage for instances of accidental harm to the general public away from home (e.g. an accidental tripping, damage by the point of your umbrella), but not any similar incident caused in the course of practising our ministry.

• If we practise the ministry within another premises, the owners of that place should have their own p/l policy, but we need to be aware that we ourselves, as well as the premises, can be held jointly liable. Some property owners will ask for lessees to provide annual confirmation that the lessee’s public liability policy is up to date and valid – they also can request that the policy be for a specific amount.

• Public liability policies are available which cover the “business” aspect of practising at home, as well as wherever we practise/lead retreats – within our own state, or anywhere in Australia. If either or both of these is what you desire, you just need to specify to the insurance company that this is the type of policy you need.

• If seeking professional indemnity insurance, some companies will require that you take out public liability as well (if so, you might like to check whether proof of any existing policy you have is sufficient).