Property Development At A Glance?

What are the key risks for property developers?

Property development can be an exciting and financially rewarding industry – but the risks can be significant.

As a property developer, you need to be across a range of council regulations and manage complex finance arrangements. You may also have to deal with the rising costs of materials and labour, missed deadlines and budget blowouts. Then there’s the chance your builders could become insolvent, weather events could damage your project, or equipment and materials could be stolen or lost. Finally, like all businesses, property developers need to be vigilant in protecting themselves and clients from the growing threat of cybercrime.

“In order to be successful in property development, you’ll need to educate yourself on property, the markets, economics, finance, town planning, the construction processes and the marketing of real estate projects.”
Michael Yardney’s Property Update, The Property Development Process, 2021

Who should consider it?

All property developers – from those developing a house to those in charge of major retail and factory developments – should take out some kind of insurance.

Event Insurance At A Glance?

What is event insurance?

Whether you’ve organised a one-off corporate function or a large- scale festival, you’ll know just how stressful arranging an event can be. There are so many things out of your control, including weather, ticket sales and even the behaviour of your attendees.

That’s why you should help protect yourself and your business with a tailored events insurance policy. With the right insurance, you can safeguard yourself if things don’t go to plan – allowing you to run your event with confidence
“Insurance for events includes event cancellation insurance, non appearance insurance, public and employers liability and property insurance.” WorldWide Special Risks, Event Insurance, 2022

Who should consider it?

Events insurance is usually taken out by professionals in the hospitality or entertainment industry, such as:

- Event managers and coordinators.

- Event promoters and organisers.

- Sound and lighting operators.

- Stage managers.

However, any individual or company holding an event should consider the cover that events insurance can offer. Events can include concerts, exhibitions, festivals, fundraisers, theatre productions, trade shows, dance parties or corporate functions.

What Insurance Do Events Companies Need?

Each event comes with unique risks, from corporate conferences to music festivals.

Weather disruptions, venue mishaps, supplier failures, and unforeseen cancellations are just a few pitfalls that could derail even the most meticulously planned occasions.

While recognising and mitigating these risks is paramount, insurance can provide financial protection and peace of mind.

It could shield organisers from the costs associated with unforeseen circumstances.
Whether it's property damage, liability claims or event cancellation, the right insurance coverage can spell the difference between a minor setback and a catastrophic loss.

Why liability insurance is essential for events
Liability insurance is one of the main insurances that event companies rely on. This protects organisers from legal and financial liabilities arising from accidents or injuries that happen during the event.

From slips and falls to equipment malfunctions, liability insurance may provide protection against lawsuits and compensation claims, allowing organisers to focus on delivering memorable experiences.

Event cancellation insurance is another essential part of risk management for these businesses. Even after months of effort planning an event, unforeseen circumstances like extreme weather, natural disasters or unexpected vendor cancellations canderail an event at the last minute.

Event cancellation insurance may reimburse organisers for expenses and revenue and minimise the financial fallout of a cancelled or postponed event.

"Event organisers often take out policies for specific events. If they run five or six events a year on one property, the policy might cover all the events," says Michael White, Steadfast Broker Technical Manager.

Insurance For Small Businesses With Flood Risks?

What are the key risks posed by flooding?

Flooding can have a devastating impact on your small business, causing damage to your premises, fittings and fixtures, plant and equipment and stock and disrupting your ability to trade.

Even businesses outside of the flood zones can feel the impact of flooding, with supply chain disruption affecting their ability to access goods and demand surge increasing the difficulty of accessing some services.

“Flood insurance covers the situation when normally dry land is covered by water that has escaped or released from a lake, river, creek or other natural watercourse, or a reservoir, canal or dam.”

Flood Insurance, Understand Insurance, Insurance Council of Australia

Who should consider it?

While you can’t control the weather, insurance can help to protect small businesses across Australia from the risks posed by flooding to both their premises and trading. Any business located on a creek, lake or river should consider adding a flood insurance extension to their property policy.

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Understanding how landlord insurance works?

What's typically covered in a landlord insurance policy?

A landlord policy typically comprises a combination of building, contents and landlord insurance.

Property damages from natural disasters (such as fire, flooding and storms) are likely to be covered, as are possessions kepton the rental premises for maintenance purposes, such as tools and gardening equipment.

The landlord component of the policy typically covers loss of rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable. This couldhappen as the result of a covered event, rent default, damage or theft by tenants and their guests, liability in the event of anaccident, and legal expenses, if necessary.

What landlord insurance doesn’t cover are the regular costs associated with being a landlord.

This could include construction defects, normal wear and tear, and ordinary expenses, such as plumber’s bills for clearing drains.

“The landlord component of the policy typically covers loss of rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable”

Paying for peace of mind

Landlord insurance has proven a worthwhile investment for Rodney Holder, whose property portfolio includes a block of units in the central Queensland town of Rockhampton as well as houses in Canberra and Brisbane.

His policy covered the cost of making good the damage caused by one less-than-careful tenant in his Canberra property,including torn curtains, a hot pot burn mark on a newly laid floor and a broken door on a new oven.

“As with any insurance, you’re paying for peace of mind,” Holder says. “It’s also tax deductible and a cost of doing business.”

Other claims can be significantly larger, warns Jo Napoli, the Principal of real estate agency The Rental Specialists.

She recently helped a client evict squatters from their investment property and says the bill for lost rent, new locks, damage to the premises and cleaning came to just under $10,000.

After being provided with a copy of the condition report, tenancy ledger, photographic evidence of the damage and invoices for repairs, the client’s insurer paid the claim within 14 days, Napoli says.

Contact us today to discuss any questions you may have 

Trades Insurance At A Glance?

What are the key risks for tradies?

From putting up scaffolding to welding and bricklaying, there’s always a lot happening on a building site, no matter if it’s a tall structure or a residential dwelling and everything in between. Which is why it’s so important to have insurance.

The hazardous environment of most building sites is one of the biggest risks tradies such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters face. Hot works, incomplete electrics and scaffolding are just some of the hazards tradies navigate every day. The need to use often-dangerous tools can also increase the chance of physical injury. This means the risk of injury can be much higher than for people working in places like an office.

If you employ contractors, there can be an additional risk they will become injured and they could make a claim against you. Theft of tools from building sites or vehicles is another significant problem for trades workers.

“Almost 190 Australian tradespeople lodge workers compensation claims every day."

SafeWork Australia, 31 July 2022

Who should consider insurance?

Trades insurance is a good idea for sub-contractors and sole traders. If you are a subcontractor, you may be able to make a claim on the main contractor’s policy. But it can be dangerous to rely on these policies as you may not be covered and do not have any control over it.

Public and Products Liability Insurance At A Glance?

What is public liability insurance?

If an accident or unforeseeable incident causes damage or injury to someone (other than your employees), you may be found legally liable to cover the costs. Public liability insurance can help to protect your business from the financial risk of liability claims – giving you the certainty you need to trade with confidence.

"Public liability insurance helps protect you and your business against the financial risk of being liable for negligence.” Australian Government, Business.gov.au

What is product liability insurance?
No matter how stringent your company is, mistakes can happen. For example, you may design or sell a product that causes a customer harm. Even if you’re not at fault, you could risk serious financial damage through legal and court costs if a customer decides to sue you. Product liability insurance is designed to help protect your business if you’re sued because a product you sell, assemble or supply has caused harm to a person or property.

Who should consider it?
While public and product liability insurance isn’t mandatory for most businesses, it is recommended for all companies. That’s because the unpredictable nature of accidents makes them hard to prevent – and the costs of being sued can be extraordinarily high.

Strata Insurance at a glance?

What is Strata insurance?

If you own a townhouse, unit, or apartment and you’re sharing common space with others, you don’t want to be left to foot the bill if there’s damage to shared parts of the building or items.

Strata insurance protects the building and common areas or facilities, with the premiums paid for by the owners’ corporation.

“Strata insurance is complex and owners corporations and corporate bodies need trusted people to navigate them to the best outcome.” Strata Community Association, 2021 Who should consider it? Strata insurance is compulsory in every state – so if you are a lot owner in a townhouse, unit, flat, apartment or duplex, the owner’s corporation will need strata insurance.

An insurance broker can arrange strata insurance on behalf of the owners’ corporation.

For more information give us a call on 1300 887 911

Motor insurance at a glance?

What is motor insurance?
Motor insurance can cover your motor vehicle against accidental damage and theft. It can also protect you from the financial costs of repairing or replacing another person’s vehicle caused by an accident where you’re at fault. With a motor insurance policy, you can choose to insure your car for an agreed amount, or for the market value of your vehicle- up to $150,000. Above $150,000 will be considered on referral

While 99% of Australians claim to be safe road users, 71% admit to breaking road laws".
Australian Road Safety Foundation, 2022

Who should consider it?
If your car is damaged in an accident or stolen, comprehensive motor insurance pays for repairs to your vehicle – or replacement costs if your car is written off. Third party property damage (TPPD) insurance – covers the costs you may be liable to pay if you are at fault and damage someone else’s car. Third Party Property Damage insurance can be purchased as part of a comprehensive cover or as a standalone policy. However, if you only have standalone cover, there's no cover for any damage to your own car.

What usually isn't covered?
 Each policy is different, but generally you won’t be covered if the vehicle is:

• Being driven by an unlicensed driver unless you did not know that the driver was unlicenced.

• Being driven by you or any other person while under the influence of any drug or alcohol unless you did not know that the driver was affected.

• Being used in any motor sport or time trial.

Exclusions, the excess you need to pay, and limits of liability can vary greatly depending on the nature of the product you are purchasing, the associated risk and the insurer

Professional indemnity insurance at a glance?

What is professional indemnity insurance?

Anyone can make a mistake – but if your business is found liable for negligence, the costs can be financially devastating. Not only can it lead to an expensive lawsuit, but your business’ hard-earned reputation may be damaged as a result.

That’s why professional indemnity insurance matters – for help protecting your assets and brand if your advice causes a client to take legal action against you.

“Professional indemnity insurance helps cover the cost of legal action due to your professional advice.”

Who should consider it?

Professional indemnity insurance is mandatory in some industries, such as medicine, accounting, law and financial advisers – with the requirements differing from state to state.

But even in cases where it’s not required by law, it’s recommended for anyone who is providing professional services or advice in exchange for a fee – like, graphic designers, IT consultants and more. Regardless of your legal obligation, it’s often a customer requirement that you have this cover in place.