What Vacant Land Liability Insurance Covers
Vacant Land Liability pays compensation you're legally liable for if someone is injured, or someone else's property is damaged, because of your land. It also pays legal defence costs, first aid at the scene, representation at an inquiry, temporary protection and claim preparation costs.
| Cover | Up to |
|---|---|
| Injury to other people on or because of your land | $5m, $10m or $20m |
| Damage to other people's property, like a neighbour's fence, shed or car | Your cover limit |
| Legal costs to defend a covered claim | On top of your limit |
| First aid costs at the time of an injury | On top of your limit |
| Representation at an inquiry | $25,000 |
| Temporary protection, such as fencing or barriers | $10,000 |
| Claim preparation costs, on top of your cover limit | $5,000 |
Not covered: construction, excavation, demolition or renovation on the land, and public roads, footpaths or powerlines you don't own. Full exclusions
How the cover works
The policy responds when you're legally liable for what happened. It doesn't pay out every time something goes wrong on your land, and it doesn't cover your own property.
- Your limit. Choose $5 million, $10 million or $20 million. That's the most the policy pays in compensation for a claim.
- Where and when. Cover applies to incidents during your policy period, at the land shown on your policy schedule. Several blocks can sit on one policy.
- On top of your limit. Legal costs to defend a covered claim and first aid costs at the time of an injury are paid in addition to your limit, so the full limit stays available for compensation.
- Excess. An excess applies to claims. Yours is shown on your quote and policy schedule.
Injury to other people
If someone is injured on your land, or because of it, and you're legally liable, the policy pays the compensation up to your limit. Injury includes bodily injury, illness, death, nervous shock and mental injury, as defined in the policy.
For example, a walker cuts across your block, trips on an old star picket hidden in long grass and breaks an ankle. They claim you should have cleared the hazard. More about injury cover
Damage to other people's property
If your land damages someone else's property and you're legally liable, the policy pays the compensation up to your limit. That includes physical damage or loss, the resulting loss of use, and nuisance or interference, such as blocking a neighbour's access.
For example, a dead gum on your block falls in a storm and crushes your neighbour's fence and carport. More about property damage cover
Extra benefits
Legal costs and first aid
Legal costs to defend a covered claim are paid on top of your limit. They must be incurred by the insurer, or by you with the insurer's written consent. First aid costs at the time of an injury are also paid on top of your limit. Legal costs and first aid
Representation at an inquiry, up to $25,000
If an incident on your land leads to an inquest, coronial inquiry or criminal proceedings, the policy provides a lawyer to represent you. Representation at an inquiry
Temporary protection, up to $10,000
The policy pays for fencing, barriers, shoring up or temporary repairs, including protection the council requires. For example, temporary protection may be needed after a retaining wall partly collapses into a neighbour's yard. This benefit doesn't apply to incidents involving pollutants. Temporary protection
Claim preparation costs, up to $5,000
If you need professional help to prepare a claim, such as a surveyor to document the boundary and the hazard, the policy pays the fees on top of your limit. Claim preparation costs
Common situations
| Situation | Covered? |
|---|---|
| A grass fire spreads from your land to a neighbour's | Yes, if you're legally liable for the damage |
| A tree on your land falls on a neighbour's property | Yes, if you're legally liable for the damage |
| A trespasser is hurt on your land | It can be, if you're legally liable and their presence was reasonably foreseeable, such as on a regular shortcut |
| An empty house is standing on the land | Yes, vacant residential buildings can be covered. Renovation or demolition isn't |
| A hobby farm or agistment of up to 100 cattle or horses | Yes, and you can get a quote online |
| Camping or markets on your land | Yes, for your liability as the landowner. Higher-risk events and activities need a broker |
| Your own fence or shed is damaged | No. That needs property insurance |
| Building work starts | No. You'll need contract works cover |
Keeping your cover in place
- Take reasonable precautions. Keep the land reasonably safe and follow council requirements, such as firebreaks and fencing.
- Tell us about changes. If you start using the land differently, build on it or add structures, let us know. Changes can affect your cover and price.
- Report incidents quickly. Don't admit fault or offer payment. See how to make a claim.
What isn't covered
Vacant Land Liability doesn't cover building or earthworks on your land, damage to your own property, deliberate acts, or pollution that builds up over time. See the full list of exclusions
This is a summary. Read the Product Disclosure Statement for the full wording.
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