What vacant land insurance doesn't cover
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. It's liability cover for land you're holding, not property or construction insurance.
The exclusions most landowners ask about
| Not covered | What it means | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Construction, excavation, demolition, alteration or renovation | Once any work starts on the land or a building on it, claims from that work aren't covered | Talk to us before works start about contract works cover |
| Your own property | Damage to your own fence, shed or building, or anything in your care | Property or home building insurance |
| Deliberate acts | Harm you or someone acting for you could reasonably have expected | Not insurable |
| Gradual pollution | Pollution is only covered when it's sudden, unexpected and happens at a specific time. Clean-up costs are excluded | Remove dumped waste early |
| Asbestos | Any claim involving asbestos | Get old structures checked and made safe |
| Public roads, footpaths and powerlines | Claims caused by public infrastructure you don't own or run | The relevant authority is responsible |
| Registered vehicles | Use of vehicles that must be registered | Compulsory third party and motor insurance |
| Workers and employees | Injury to people you employ | Workers compensation |
| Fines and punitive damages | Penalties and punitive or exemplary damages | Not insurable |
| Professional advice | Liability for advice or services you give | Professional indemnity insurance |
Other exclusions include mould, war, terrorism (except where Australian law deems cover), communicable disease, cyber events, and claims brought in the USA or Canada.
Conditions to keep in mind
- 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
- Report incidents quickly and don't admit fault or offer payment
This is a summary. Read the Product Disclosure Statement for the full wording.
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