09 Dec Why small businesses need product liability insurance
Product liability cover can vary, with claims depending on the individual business and the product it sells. Regardless, Product liability will ensure you are protected from the inevitable mishap.
Product liability can provide protection for property damage or personal injury claims arising out of the use of a business’s product, or the failure of a product.
Michael White, Steadfast’s broker technical manager, says claims are typically split into two types. “Personal injury claims are very common. In these cases, someone uses a product that’s defective in some way and is injured as a result.
The other type of claim relates to the use of a product that fails, causing property damage,” White explains.
“If you sell a range of products but discontinue one, it’s also essential to ensure
insurance remains in place for the discontinued product”
There are a number of circumstances that are not covered by product liability insurance. One situation is when there is an economic loss as a result of a faulty product. Product liability insurance won’t provide cover if you sell a product and it doesn’t work, resulting in a business losing money.
An example would be the client sells a machine used to put caps on bottles. Let’s say the machine manufacturer claims the machine can cap 500 bottles an hour but in reality, it only caps 400 bottles an hour.
The claimant suffers a loss because its production is reduced.Typically, policies also won’t provide cover for the product itself. So if you sell a product and the product does not work and has to be replaced, the policy won’t respond.
Additionally, says White, it’s important to understand for a claim to be successful, the damage must normally take place while the insurance is in place.
“Let’s say a business sells a computer to a customer. Three years later, there’s a fault in the computer and it short circuits and starts a fire that destroys the customer’s home. The policy that usually responds is the policy that was in place when the fire started.
“If the company goes out of business in the time between selling the computer and the fire and it has no insurance in place, it won’t often be covered by the insurance policy that was in place at the time the product was sold.”
If you sell a range of products but discontinue one, it’s also essential to ensure insurance remains in place for the discontinued product.
White also notes it’s important to understand that under the terms of a product liability policy, your work is your product. “So you, if you’re a tradesman and you build a bathroom renovation, the bathroom renovation is your product. If something in the bathroom fails once you’ve finished the work – let’s say a plumber incorrectly installs a pipe that breaks and floods the house – the claim arising out of this situation will be a product liability claim, not a public liability claim.
”If you’re importing products from overseas, also ensure the product meets Australian standards to reduce the potential for a product liability claim down the track.
Talk to your Steadfast broker to ensure you have the right insurance in place so that in the event of a claim, you should be properly covered.
Important note – the information provided here is general advice only and has been prepared without taking in account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Watkins Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (ABN 23 059 370 455, AFSL 244427).
Important note – the information provided here is general advice only and has been prepared without taking in account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Steadfast Group Ltd (ABN 98 073 659 677, AFSL 254928).
Important disclaimer – Steadfast Group Limited ABN 98 073 659 677, its subsidiaries and its associates.
The views expressed are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of Steadfast.
This magazine provides information rather than financial product or other advice. The content of this magazine, including any information contained on it, has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information, taking these matters into account, before you act on any information. In particular, you should review the product disclosure statement for any product that the information relates to it before acquiring the product.
Information is current as at the date articles are written as specified within them but is subject to change. Steadfast, its subsidiaries and its associates make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. Various third parties, including Know Risk, have contributed to the production of this content. All information is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Steadfast Group Limited.
Important disclaimer – Watkins Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd ABN 23 059 370 455, AFSL 244427.
The views expressed are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of Watkins Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd.
This magazine provides information rather than financial product or other advice. The content of this magazine, including any information contained on it, has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information, taking these matters into account, before you act on any information. In particular, you should review the product disclosure statement for any product that the information relates to it before acquiring the product.
Information is current as at the date articles are written as specified within them but is subject to change. Watkins Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information.
This article has been reproduced with the consent of Steadfast Group Limited.
Source: – https://www.steadfast.com.au/well-covered/insurance-for-growing-business/why-small-businesses-need-product-liability-insurance