Brought to you by MARSH
New Year is the perfect opportunity to review your agency’s insurance coverage to ensure that you have ample protection for the year ahead.
1. Professional Indemnity Insurance
Real estate agents provide advice to clients – and, unfortunately, this advice can sometimes lead to claims of professional negligence. Professional indemnity insurance protects you and your team against claims for a breach of professional duty resulting in a financial loss; for example, misleading or deceptive conduct regarding a sales transaction or bodily injury relating to property management services. This insurance provides cover for defence costs associated with investigating and resolving claims, defamation, fidelity and expenses related to claims enquiries.
In New South Wales, it’s mandatory for real estate agents to have professional indemnity insurance with a minimum coverage of $1 million for any single claim and $3 million in aggregate for all claims in an insurance period.
2. Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance is vital to safeguard against claims made by third parties for injuries or damages related to the professional activities of agents, including:
- Third-party injury claims, covering legal costs and compensation if a client or visitor is injured on a property an agent is showing or managing.
- Third-party property damage, protecting against claims for damage to a third party’s property caused by the agent’s actions or negligence.
- Legal fees, covering the costs of defending against claims, even if they are determined to be unfounded.
3. Cyber Insurance
The real estate sector has been identified as ‘high risk’ by the Australian Cyber Security Centre due to increased hacking activity, particularly when it comes to social engineering scams and funds transfer fraud. Given this heightened exposure, having adequate cyber insurance in place is more critical than ever. With this in mind, Realcover has partnered with leading cyber liability insurance specialists with extensive real estate experience to develop an industry-specific insurance solution.
4. Management Liability Insurance
Management liability insurance protects your company and its directors from financial losses related to day-to-day operations, including contracts with third-party suppliers and employment practices. This coverage can include protection for statutory liability, employment practices liability, crime coverage, and fines or penalties resulting from violations of applicable legislation.
5. Business Insurance
Business insurance protects your agency’s building and contents from damage, as well as interruption to your income in the event of an insurable event. Coverage can include theft, money, glass, electronic equipment, general property, business interruption as well as public and products liability. If you hold your clients’ property, this can also be included as coverage for items in your care, custody and control.
By securing essential insurance coverage, you can protect your agency from a variety of risks and ensure long-term success. The Realcover team can assist you in reviewing your existing insurance coverage to ensure it meets the risk profile of your business. To learn more about the insurance solutions available through Realcover, please contact us on 1800 990 312 or visit realcover.com.au for more information.
DISCLAIMER
Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 31 081 358 303, AFSL 238 369) (“Marsh”) arranges this insurance and are not the insurer. The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales Limited (ABN 51 000 012 457) ("REINSW") is an Authorised Representative of Marsh for the purpose of promoting the Realcover products to members of REINSW. REINSW receives a financial benefit on the sale of a Realcover insurance policy arranged by Marsh. This publication contains general information, does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs and may not suit your personal circumstances. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers and before making any decision about whether to acquire the product, refer to the specific policy wordings and/or Product Disclosure Statements available from Marsh on request. This publication is not intended to be taken as advice regarding any individual situation and should not be relied upon as such. The information contained herein is based on sources we believe reliable, but we make no representation or warranty as to its accuracy. Marsh shall have no obligation to update this publication and shall have no liability to you or any other party arising out of this publication or any matter contained herein. Marsh makes no representation or warranty concerning the application of policy wordings or the financial condition or solvency of insurers or re-insurers. Marsh makes no assurances regarding the availability, cost, or terms of insurance coverage. LCPA 26/1425