Finding a public liability insurance broker or insurer in Australia is mostly a matter of knowing which routes exist and how to verify each one. This guide explains the three ways businesses usually buy, how to check an insurer on the APRA register and a broker on the ASIC register, and what the industry code adds. We name no winners and rank no one.
Quick answer
You can buy from an insurer, through a broker or via a comparison site. Check insurers on the APRA register and brokers on the ASIC professional register. We do not rank providers, because the right route depends on your business.
Public Liability Insurance Providers in Australia at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What routes exist? | Direct from an insurer, through a broker, or via a comparison site |
| Where do you check an insurer? | The APRA register of general insurers |
| Where do you check a broker? | business.gov.au points to the ASIC professional register |
| Must a broker act for you? | Business Queensland says by law a broker must represent your interests |
| Is there an industry code? | Yes. The General Insurance Code of Practice is voluntary and applies to insurers who adopt it |
| Who handles disputes? | See our national guide for AFCA limits |
| Do we rank providers? | No |
Three Ways to Buy Public Liability Cover
The routes differ in who you deal with and who explains the wording. The table uses insurers' own pages as examples of each channel, and they are commercial sources, not endorsements.
| Route | What the pages we read show | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Direct from an insurer | Allianz says quotes are available online and by phone, and NRMA offers online quotes | Who the insurer is, and who handles claims |
| Through a broker | The Chubb page says "Speak to a broker today", and the Vero page directs readers to an insurance broker | The broker's licence, and how they are paid |
| Comparison site | Compare the Market and BizCover publish public liability pages | What the site compares, and which insurers it covers |
The route you choose changes the questions more than the answer. A direct insurer can explain its own product but not alternatives. A broker can explain several, but you should ask how they are paid and which insurers they use. A comparison site shows options on its own terms, so check what it includes and leaves out. Our compare guide gives the checklist for testing options like for like.
How to Check an Insurer
Insurers need authorisation to operate. The APRA register of general insurers, which showed an update date of 23 September 2026 when we read it, has sections for insurers authorised for new or renewal business, those in run-off and those whose authorisation was revoked. business.gov.au suggests using it to find an authorised insurer.
The register works on exact legal names, so match the entity on your quote to the entity on the register. This is how four names we checked line up:
| Brand | Entity named on the brand's page | On the APRA authorised list when we read it |
|---|---|---|
| Allianz | Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | Yes |
| NRMA | Insurance Australia Limited, trading as NRMA Insurance | Yes |
| Chubb | Chubb Insurance Australia Limited | Listed as Chubb Insurance Australia Ltd |
| Vero | AAI Limited, trading as Vero Insurance | Yes, as AAI Limited |
The exact name matters. The same register shows a differently named Chubb company, Chubb Insurance Company of Australia Limited, under revoked authorisations. We cite that only to show why a brand name is not enough and you should confirm the legal entity. The brand pages we used are undated.
How to Check a Public Liability Insurance Broker
business.gov.au suggests checking an insurance broker's licence on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's professional register. The ASIC page for the professional registers lists searchable registers including Australian financial services licensees and authorised representatives, shows a date of 10 July 2026 and says changes are processed once a day. It does not mention insurance brokers by name, so we cannot say from that page alone which register will list a given broker. Ask the broker for their licence number and search it.
Business Queensland says a broker must represent your interests, and Business Victoria says brokers must act as your representative. Neither page replaces your own questions. Ask how the broker is paid, which insurers they can place cover with and what happens if you need a certificate quickly. Business Queensland also points to broker industry bodies, including NIBA, as places to find one.
What the Industry Code Adds
The General Insurance Code of Practice was introduced by the Insurance Council of Australia as a voluntary code, and its page says it applies to all insurers who have adopted it. Small business products count as retail insurance under it, with small business defined as fewer than 100 people for a goods manufacturer and fewer than 20 for others.
For a broker or other distributor, the page says they are not subscribers, but they are accountable to the insurer for the relevant standards. The same page says the current Code was last updated in October 2023, and that a strengthened Code was submitted to ASIC on 22 October 2026. That means the standards may change, so check the page when you rely on it. The Code is not a substitute for reading your policy.
Questions to Ask Each Provider
Picture a landscaper who collects three quotes, one from an insurer, one from a broker and one from a comparison site. The totals will not compare until each quote uses the same business description, limit and excess. Use these questions with every route:
- What is the legal name of the insurer, and is it on the register?
- Is the broker licensed, and who pays them?
- Which limit, excess and exclusions does the quote show?
- Is insurance duty shown separately?
- How quickly can you issue a certificate of currency?
Our quotes guide lists what to prepare, and our cost guide explains how to read the lines.
Where to Go Next on Cairn Cover
The one thing to remember: verify the insurer or public liability insurance broker before you compare the price. Cairn Cover does not sell insurance, quote prices or recommend providers, and we link each source on the words it supports. Start with the national guide, then read our Allianz guide and NRMA guide as examples of brand pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a public liability insurance broker? A broker is an intermediary who arranges cover for you. Business Queensland says that by law a broker must represent your interests. Ask how they are paid and which insurers they can place cover with.
How do I check a broker is licensed? business.gov.au suggests checking the broker's licence on the ASIC professional register. ASIC's page lists the registers you can search, so ask the broker for their licence number and search for it.
How do I check an insurer is genuine? Use APRA's register of general insurers and match the legal entity named on your quote. A brand name alone is not enough, so check the exact company name and whether it is in the authorised section.
Which providers does Cairn Cover recommend? None. We do not rank or recommend insurers, brokers or comparison sites. Choosing one is a decision for you, informed by the checks in this guide and by advice from a licensed professional.
Does the General Insurance Code of Practice apply to my insurer? It applies to insurers who have adopted it, so ask your insurer whether it has. The Code treats small business products as retail insurance.
How does Cairn Cover help? We explain routes and checks, link every source on the words it supports and connect related guides. We do not quote prices or give personal advice.