Business Insurance by Industry
Start with the work your business performs. An industry name is a useful starting point, but your services, contracts, people, property and locations determine the questions that matter. BAU Risk’s industry guides help you identify common exposures and prepare a more useful conversation about insurance.
Find your industry guide
Use the searchable industry insurance directory to browse all guides and filter by business category. You can start with the examples below, then check other guides that describe parts of your operations. A business that designs, supplies and installs a product, for example, may need to discuss several activities rather than selecting one industry label.
Construction and trades
Professional and advisory services
Property and facilities
Hospitality and accommodation
Retail and manufacturing
Healthcare and community
Technology and creative services
Rural, resources and transport
Personal services and recreation
Describe what your business actually does
Prepare a short description of your main activities and any secondary work. Include services provided away from your premises, advice given to clients, products you import or manufacture, installation or maintenance work, and specialist equipment. Tell your broker about subcontractors, labour hire, overseas customers and work conducted under contracts. These details help identify questions that a broad industry category can miss.
Also consider what is changing. A new product line, larger premises, an additional location or a contract in another state can affect the information relevant to your cover. Discuss planned changes before starting the activity so your broker can seek any necessary insurer consideration. Do not assume that a new service is automatically covered because it sits alongside work you already do.
Connect your industry risks with cover categories
- Public Liability Insurance — discuss third-party injury and property damage exposures arising from business activities.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance — discuss liabilities connected with professional advice, design or services.
- Business Interruption Insurance — consider how an insured interruption may affect income and the time needed to recover.
- Cyber Insurance — consider digital systems, information, incident response and the business effect of a cyber event.
- Management Liability Insurance — explore potential management and employment-related exposures under the available wording.
- Small Business Insurance — consider how several business insurance sections may fit together.
These are general cover categories. Availability, triggers, exclusions and limits depend on the policy and the business. Some exposures require a separate section or policy; other risks may be excluded or subject to a sublimit. For the broader overview, visit insurance services.
Account for location and contract requirements
Tell us where your work takes place: Perth and regional Western Australia, Sydney and New South Wales, Melbourne and Victoria, Brisbane and Queensland, Canberra and the ACT, or another Australian state or territory. Include interstate travel, temporary sites, offshore work and overseas services where relevant. A policy’s territorial or jurisdictional provisions need to be considered alongside your real operating footprint.
Contracts may ask for a particular limit, an interested party to be noted or evidence of insurance before work begins. Share these requirements early. Your broker can discuss insurance arrangements, while legal advice may be needed to assess indemnities, liability assumptions and other contractual terms. Keep a copy of your contracts with your insurance records and explain any material changes.
Use each guide to prepare questions
Read the risks, cover considerations, exclusions and claim examples that relate to your work. Use the insurance glossary to understand terms such as sum insured, exclusion and endorsement. Write down where your business differs from an example, since a guide cannot account for every operation, insurer or policy.
For a review, bring your current schedule and wording, claims history, asset information and any upcoming contract requirements. If a loss has already occurred, begin with the claims guide and promptly contact your representative. A new enquiry does not insure an event that has already happened or confirm that cover is in place.
Let’s talk it through.
Leave your contact details and a short description of what you need. Please keep sensitive personal information and payment details out of the enquiry.
Important information
This page contains general information and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Insurance is subject to insurer acceptance and the policy’s terms, conditions, exclusions and limits. An enquiry does not arrange, renew or change cover. Read our financial services information and the relevant policy documents before deciding.