Event General Public & Products Liability Insurance for Community Groups
As the organiser of a single one-off community or family event there are several key aspects when it comes to Insurance and risk management that you should consider.
At LCIS, we work with thousands of event organisers to understand their unique risks and how we can best cover these with the right level of Insurance. We also assist you with risk management before, during and after your event.
How Event General Public & Products Liability can help provide protection:
Below are some examples of covers provided by this policy which can protect your organisation. Please note, covers listed below are subject to limits, sub-limits, endorsements and exclusions as described in the Policy Wording.
Subject to attendance, some examples of events we can arrange cover for:
| Street party | Family Event (Birthday, Engagement, Wedding, Reunion, Christenings / Bar Mitzvah) |
| Festival | Community celebration |
| Fair | Cultural exhibition |
| Residential street party | Cultural festivals |
| Fundraiser | Community moonlight cinema |
| Charity walk / run | Food and wine tastings |
| Gathering | Conference and seminars |
| Pageants / parades | Art festivals |
| Farmers markets | Fashion parades / shows |
| Car or bike show and shine (static event only) | Art exhibitions |
| Sausage sizzles | Trivia nights |
| Raffle ticket stalls |
Discover more about Event Insurance for Community Groups and Not-for-profits:
Policy Wording: General Public & Products Liability Insurance for Events
The Insurer’s ‘Policy Wording’ sets out the actual coverage terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions provided under the policy.
Please access these documents on the links provided and read them thoroughly in conjunction with your Policy Schedule and call us immediately if you require clarification on any issue.
Latest Policy Wording: General Public & Products Liability Insurance
QBE General Public and Product Liability Insurance QM8341-1223 Policy Wording
- For online policies commencing or renewing effective on or after 1 October 2024.
- For offline policies commencing or renewing effective on or after 1 June 2024.
Previous Policy Wording: General Public & Products Liability Insurance
QBE General Public and Product Liability Insurance QM8341-0922
- For online policies commencing or renewing between 1 March 2024 – 1 October 2024.
QBE Victor Insurance Broadform Liability QM6195-1120
- For online policies commencing or renewing before 1 March 2024.
- For offline policies commencing or renewing before 1 June 2024.
Difference in Conditions:
This endorsement issued attaches to and forms part of the Insured’s Public and Products Liability Policy with QBE Insurance Australia Limited for the current period of Insurance as per the Schedule (and shall not apply to any subsequent periods of Insurance unless agree by QBE).
Extent of Cover:
To the extent that under the Insured’s previous public liability policy issued by QBE Insurance Australia Limited (the “previous policy”) where coverage existed which does not exist under this policy or was a broader coverage than the similar coverage which exists under this policy (the “difference in coverage”), QBE Insurance Australia Limited will pay the Insured the amount that represents the difference in coverage as if that coverage existed under this policy, subject to the conditions and limitations below.
Conditions and Limitations:
QBE Insurance Australia Limited only agrees for the difference in coverage conditions to be payable if:
1. The previous policy lapsed on the same date as this policy became effective; and;
2. QBE Insurance Australia Limited receives from the Insured, prior to cover under this policy becoming effective, a complete copy of the previous policy including all relevant terms and conditions, endorsements, schedules and limits of indemnity; and
3. All exclusions apply as agreed upon renewal;
4. Any difference in coverage that may be payable under this policy is otherwise subject to the terms, conditions and limits of indemnity that applied under the previous policy.
Endorsements: General Public & Products Liability Insurance for Events
These are amendments which tailor the standard wording to reflect the risks of most community groups and most give a wider scope of operation to the base Public & Products Liability policy.
Although certain risks are excluded in one policy it does not mean they can’t be covered either by an amendment which may result in a higher premium or an additional policy that is specific to cover that particular risk. Below are the endorsements applying to our Community & Family Event Public & Products Liability policy.
THE FOLLOWING ENDORSEMENTS AND EXCLUSIONS ATTACH TO, AND FORM PART OF THE QBE GENERAL PUBLIC AND PRODUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY WORDING QM8341-1223:
LCIS01 DEFINITIONS:
The following amendment is made to section ‘5. Definitions’ of the Policy:
5.21 You, Your, Insured (a) is deleted and replaced with the following:
(a) any director, executive officer, Employees, voluntary unpaid worker which includes committee members, office holders, and managers of You, while acting within the scope of their duties.
LCIS06 PARTICIPANTS IN SPORT, GAME OR AMUSEMENT EXCLUSION:
The following additional Exclusion is added to section ‘2. What you’re not covered for' of the Policy: We don’t cover your liability for or arising out arising out of the participation of any person in any sport, game, or amusement involving bodily contact with persons, machines or devices.
LCIS08 AMUSEMENTS EXCLUSION:
The following additional Exclusion is added to section ‘2. What you’re not covered for’ of the Policy: We don’t cover any claims arising from, contributed by or in connection with: (a) animal rides; (b) amusement rides and/or devices of any description; (c) inflatable recreational equipment.
LCIS16 COUNCIL LIABILITY EXCLUSION:
The following additional Exclusion is added to section ‘2. What you’re not covered for’ of the Policy:
This Policy does not indemnify any council for their legal or vicarious liability from the use, operation or provision of any council facilities provided for hire, use or operation by others for any other business conducted by council in connection with such facilities.
LCIS31 FIREWORKS / PYROTECHNICS EXCLUSION:
The Insurer shall not be liable in respect of Personal Injury or Property Damage arising from or contributed to by the use, handling, transportation or storage of any fireworks or pyrotechnic or incendiary device. But this Exclusion does not apply to the Insured’s own liability for any act or omission of any contractor or subcontractor provided that prior to the Insured incurring liability such contractor or sub-contractor shall have produced evidence of public and products liability Insurance covering such liability for a minimum limit of indemnity of $5,000,000.
LCIS32 TOTAL LISTED HUMAN DISEASE EXCLUSION
The following exclusion is added to the policy: We don’t cover your legal liability or any other benefit, cost or expense arising directly or indirectly out of, contributed to by, resulting from or in connection with any listed human disease determined under section 42 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth) or any Subsequent 32 Confidential The content of this document is confidential. It contains commercially sensitive material, which may disadvantage QBE if it is disclosed to its competitors. This document may not be given to any third party without the prior written consent of QBE. Legislation. For the purposes of this exclusion, ‘Subsequent Legislation’ means:
- an act or regulation as amended, replaced or re-enacted;
- where an act or regulation has been repealed, the current equivalent act or regulation (Commonwealth, State or Territory) with materially the same object or purpose whether in whole or in part.
LCIS33 PROPERTY IN CUSTODY OR CONTROL (AMENDED SUB LIMIT)
The following amendment is made to section ‘2. What you’re not covered for’ of the Policy: ‘2.17 (f). ‘Property in custody or control’ is deleted and replaced with the following: other property temporarily in your physical or legal control, but we won’t cover physical damage or destruction of any property you have been working on and our limit under this exclusion 2.17 (f) does not exceed $250,000 for any one Occurrence and in the aggregate for any one Policy Period.
The above statements are issued as a matter of information only and for full terms and conditions you should refer to the Policy Wording.
“The Nippy’s Loxton Gift Committee have utilised the services of LCIS for its one day event Insurance coverage for the past few years.
The service provided by the team has been exemplary. With no expert Insurance staff on our committee, we relied on LCIS to guide us through the process. They answered all of our questions and provided key information for our event. We were able to secure a one day Insurance coverage policy, and importantly within our budget, on the same day.
We highly recommend LCIS to any community group looking for advice and Insurance for events or functions they are managing.”
- Robyn Cusick, Nippy’s Loxton Gift Committee
“When I made enquiries with LCIS to discuss options for a public liability policy for my fundraising event each email/phone call interaction with Melissa was a more than a satisfactory experience.
In fact, she made the process one that was seamless and supportive. I thought that such a process might be difficult but this was not the case.
Many customers like to complain, but I am one who also takes the time to share the good experiences too. Great work Melissa.
I lost my father to suicide a year ago hence my fundraising community event to raise awareness and funds to donate to Beyondblue.
Our interactions were done not long after my Father’s passing and you helped me do what I had planned.”
- Simone, Fundraising Event Organiser
Event Insurance FAQs
Please note that these FAQs are of a general nature, and the specific terms and conditions of your Insurance policy will apply to any claims.
It is always recommended to refer to the Policy Wording and consult with LCIS staff for detailed information about coverage and any specific questions you may have.
As an event organiser, you are responsible for ensuring that the event runs smoothly and safely. Despite taking all necessary precautions, there is still a risk of things going wrong.
Event Insurance, specifically a General Public & Products Liability policy, provides coverage if you are sued by a member of the public who was injured or experienced property damage while attending your event.
You would need to make sure you identify, analyse, evaluate and treat all risk management aspects of the event. This could also involve liaising with the relevant Government Departments to utilise their expertise/advice on organising an event, to make it safe for members of the public to attend.
Even if you’ve done everything which is considered to be reasonably practicable, things can still go wrong!
A General Public & Products Liability policy may help cover you if you are sued by a member of the public because they were injured or sustained property damage whilst attending an event organised by you.
A General Public & Products Liability policy covers you if you are sued by a third party (such as a member of the public) for personal injury and/or property damage resulting from an occurrence arising from your activities.
It typically includes the payment of your defence costs and, if you are found to be negligent, any amounts awarded to the injured party will likely be covered by the policy. This is when having this type of policy counts.
Without this cover you would need to pay these defence costs yourself.
It is important to consider whether you can afford to take the risk of not having a General Public & Products Liability policy.
If you were to be sued and found liable for personal injury or property damage, the costs of defending yourself and any amounts awarded to the injured party could be significant.
Contact the LCIS team to discuss Insurance options that can suit your event and provide the necessary coverage.
If an event is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the organiser's control, such as severe weather, it can result in significant financial losses.
To mitigate this risk, event organisers can arrange Cancellation and Abandonment Insurance.
This type of Insurance provides coverage for the costs incurred in organising the event, helping to recoup some or all the expenses in case of cancellation.
Make sure that other groups who you contract with to exhibit/participate at your event (e.g. stallholders, bands, stage hands, and security) have their own Insurance.
Liability can come back to you as the organiser of the event if something goes wrong and these groups do not have their own Insurance.
- Do you have a detailed risk management plan in place and has it been implemented?
- Do you have a contingency/emergency plan in place? Make sure all structures and activities (amusement rides) comply with legislative requirements.
- Any road closures?
- Ensure you have very experienced people to manage this and liaise with your local council regarding the same.
- If the event is cancelled due to circumstances beyond your control and you have spent a lot of money organising the event, how will you recoup these costs? Talk to LCIS and we can arrange Cancellation and Abandonment Insurance.
Understanding Liability Limits is important when determining the appropriate coverage for Public & Products Liability Event Insurance.
- Crowd exposure: The number of people expected to attend the event is a crucial factor in determining the liability limit. In the event of an incident causing injuries to multiple individuals, the liability limit could be quickly exhausted. Larger concentrations of people require higher liability limits to adequately cover potential claims.
- Types of activities: The nature of activities conducted at the event also affects the liability exposure. Higher-risk activities, such as amusement rides or sports competitions, present a greater potential for accidents and injuries. If food is being sold, there is a risk of contamination, which could lead to a large number of people suffering from food poisoning. These factors should be considered when setting the liability limit.
- Settlement time: Another consideration is the length of time it may take to settle a claim if you are sued due to an incident at your event. Legal costs can accumulate over time, and the amount to be paid to the injured party can add up to a significant sum. It is important to consider the potential costs associated with a prolonged legal process when determining the liability limit.
By carefully assessing these factors, event organisers can determine an appropriate Liability Limit for their event Insurance coverage, ensuring adequate protection against potential claims and financial losses.
When planning an event where alcohol will be sold, supplied, or consumed, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with and comply with the laws and regulations in your specific state or territory in Australia. Each state and territory has its own set of laws that govern the sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol.
Compliance with these laws is important to avoid fines and penalties for non-compliance. As an event manager, you have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for all attendees, including ensuring responsible alcohol service and consumption.
If you decide to contract out the alcohol service or supply to a third-party vendor, it is essential to ensure that the vendor is experienced and knowledgeable about the laws and regulations in the jurisdiction where the event is taking place. Additionally, it is important to verify that the vendor has their own Insurance coverage to protect against any liabilities that may arise from their alcohol-related activities.
By adhering to the relevant laws, working with experienced operators, and ensuring proper Insurance coverage, you can help create a safe and compliant environment for alcohol service at your event.
The availability of Insurance coverage for events where alcohol is served or consumed will depend on the specific Insurance policy you have in place. It is important to review your Insurance policy or consult with your Insurance provider to understand the extent of coverage provided for events involving alcohol.
In many cases, event organisers can obtain specific Insurance coverage, such as liquor liability Insurance, to protect against potential liabilities arising from the sale, supply, or consumption of alcohol at the event. This type of Insurance typically covers legal costs, damages, and other expenses associated with alcohol-related incidents or claims.
However, it is important to note that Insurance coverage may have certain limitations or exclusions. It is advisable to carefully review your policy and discuss any specific requirements or considerations related to alcohol with your Insurance provider to ensure that you have appropriate coverage for your event.
Additionally, if you choose to contract out the alcohol service or supply to a third-party vendor, it is important to verify that the vendor has their own Insurance coverage to protect against any liabilities that may arise from their alcohol-related activities.
Ultimately, it is recommended to consult with an Insurance professional or broker who specialises in event Insurance to ensure that you have the necessary coverage in place for events involving alcohol.
Hiring a property to hold your event? The owner of the property may request you take out a General Public & Products Liability policy to secure the venue.
Why is this?
If something were to go wrong at the event, for example, one of your guests was outside smoking and afterwards did not butt out their cigarette properly, resulting in a fire, the property sustains damage, and the owner of the property sues you. Without a policy to cover you, you could be responsible to pay the damages yourself. If any of your guests are injured whilst attending your event, they could also sue you.
Thus, it is strongly recommended that you have a policy to cover you.
A detailed risk management plan for an event should include an assessment of potential risks and hazards, strategies to mitigate those risks, and protocols for responding to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
It should cover areas such as crowd management, security, health and safety, and compliance with legislative requirements.
Implementing the risk management plan is crucial to ensure the safety and success of the event.
Event Cancellation Insurance is generally appropriate for events with a budget of $30,000 or higher, and is more affordable than you may think.
To find out more information about whether Event Cancellation Insurance is right for your upcoming event, contact the LCIS team to discuss your requirements.
You will be required to complete a proposal form and provide an event budget along with any other relevant event information.
