Public liability insurance 10 million is a limit, not a product, and the question for most readers in Australia is where that figure comes from and whether a contract or licence asks for it. This guide sets out which limits insurers show, where $10 million appears in licences and articles, and what to check in the wording. It explains and does not recommend a limit.
Quick answer
Every insurer page we read that states limits shows $10 million as a middle option. Some licences name it, such as NSW security master licences involving firearms, horses or dogs. Which limit suits you depends on your contracts.
Public Liability Insurance 10 Million at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What is a limit? | The most a policy will pay, as set out in the wording. Our national guide explains limits |
| Do insurers offer it? | Allianz, NRMA, CGU and AAMI pages each show $10 million among their limits |
| Is it required by law? | We found no law requiring this limit for every business |
| Does any licence name it? | A NSW security master licence needs at least $10,000,000 for firearms, horses or dogs |
| Is it enough for council events? | The council pages we read set $20 million |
| Does it cost twice as much as $5 million? | One insurer article says the premium rises by less than double |
What a Limit Is and How Wording Changes It
A limit is the most a policy will pay, but the wording decides how that amount applies. The NAB landlord document we read shows its limit per accident, and Camden asks for cover for any one occurrence. Other policies may apply a limit across a policy period. So a figure of $10 million on a quote needs a second question: per what? A limit is also not a promise to pay that amount on every claim, because exclusions, the excess and policy conditions still apply. That is why the wording matters more than the headline figure.
Defence costs are another point. Some policies pay them inside the limit and some in addition to it, so ask. Our hub guide holds the full explanation of limits, excess and exclusions.
Limits Insurers Show
The table lists what each insurer page we opened shows. These are commercial pages, most are undated, and they show options, not what is available to your business. Only the CGU page mentions higher limits, by phone.
| Insurer | Limits the page shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Allianz | $5 million, $10 million or $20 million | Undated page |
| NRMA | $5 million, $10 million, $15 million or $20 million | Undated page |
| CGU | $5 million, $10 million or $20 million, with higher limits by phone | Undated page |
| AAMI | Up to $5 million, $10 million or $20 million, depending on occupation | Last modified 19 September 2025 |
| Youi | A choice of limits, with no amounts stated | Undated page |
The pattern is that $10 million is the second option on every page that lists amounts, including the four-tier NRMA page. That describes what the pages list. It does not tell you which tier your business should hold. Our brand guides for Allianz, NRMA, CGU, AAMI and Youi cover each page in more detail.
Where $10 Million Appears Outside Insurer Pages
Requirements come from licences, councils and contracts. These are examples we opened, not a full list. Each depends on the licence, the state and the date, so ask the body concerned for current wording.
| Source | Figure | Date on page |
|---|---|---|
| NSW security master licence | At least $10,000,000 if the activities involve firearms, horses or dogs | Published 11 December 2025 |
| Victorian registered electrical contractors | A minimum of $5 million | Reviewed 20 August 2026 |
| Boroondara council events | A minimum of $20 million for organisers | Published 19 February 2026 |
| NSW game hunting licences | A public liability component up to $25 million, attached to the licence | Dated January 2026 |
The same range of figures sits in different places. A tradesperson's licence may name $5 million, a security business $10 million and a council event $20 million. So do not carry a figure from one setting to another. Our requirements guide explains how to find the one that applies, and our 20 million guide covers the higher end.
Does a Higher Limit Change the Premium?
We found no official price for any limit, so we state none. AAMI, a commercial source, published an article on 12 August 2022 saying that doubling the limit to $10 million increases the premium by less than double, and that for most standard policies the maximum will likely be $20 million. That is one insurer's view from 2022, not a rule.
The so what: the premium also depends on your trade, size and claims history, as our cost guide explains. Ask for quotes at the limits a contract names, and ask what changes between them besides the premium.
Questions to Ask About a $10 Million Limit
Picture a contractor whose client's tender asks for a certificate showing a stated limit. The contractor's job is to read the clause, not only the number: what does it say about the type of cover, the period and the name on the certificate? Then the same checks apply to any policy:
- What limit does each contract, licence or lease name?
- Does the limit apply per accident, per occurrence or per period?
- Are defence costs inside the limit or in addition to it?
- Does an exclusion touch the work I do?
- Is the entity on the certificate the one named on the contract?
Our quotes guide explains what to prepare before you ask for a quote.
Where to Go Next on Cairn Cover
The one thing to remember: public liability insurance 10 million is a figure to match against a named requirement, not a default. Cairn Cover explains how cover works, links each source on the words it supports and does not sell insurance or give personal advice. Read the national guide, then the cost guide and our Queensland guide for a state example.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a $10 million public liability limit mean? It is the most the policy will pay, as set out in the wording. Whether it applies per accident, per occurrence or per period varies, so check how your policy applies it. The NAB document shows one limit per accident.
Which insurers show a $10 million limit? The pages we read from Allianz, NRMA, CGU and AAMI each list it among their limits. Youi states a choice of limits without amounts. These are options on commercial pages, not offers to your business.
Is $10 million required by law? We found no law requiring it for every business. A NSW security master licence needs at least $10,000,000 if the activities involve firearms, horses or dogs. Other licences name other amounts, so ask your licensing body.
Is $10 million enough for council events? The council pages we read, such as Boroondara, set a $20 million minimum for events. Each council sets its own terms, so ask yours. Our short-term guide covers event cover.
Does doubling the limit double the premium? One insurer article from 2022 says doubling the limit to $10 million raises the premium by less than double. Treat that as one commercial view and ask for quotes at each limit you need to compare.
How does Cairn Cover help? We explain what insurers, licensing bodies and councils say, link each source on the words it supports and point to related guides. We do not sell insurance or give personal advice.