Insurance for Real Estate Agents

Most claims against an agency come from words rather than accidents: a property described incorrectly, advice given about a purchase, a repair request that was never actioned, a tenancy or a trust account handled badly. Sales and property management each carry their own version of that exposure, and an agency doing both carries both.

We arrange insurance for real estate agencies of all sizes, from single-office independents to businesses running sales, property management and a rent roll together. We take the time to understand how your agency operates and what your licensing and franchise agreements require, so your cover fits.

Key covers to consider

• Professional Indemnity: claims about your advice, your representations and the way a sale or a tenancy was handled
• Public and Products Liability: injury or property damage at your office, at open homes and during inspections
• Business Pack: office premises, fit-out, contents, signage and equipment
• Management Liability: employment disputes, OH&S, and claims against the business and its owners and managers for alleged mismanagement
• Cyber Liability: email interception around deposits and rent, and the personal information you hold on landlords, tenants and buyers
• Workers Compensation: compulsory cover for businesses with employees and apprentices
• Commercial Motor: vehicles used for inspections, open homes and routine property visits

Common questions

Why does an agency need professional indemnity insurance?

Because the things most likely to go wrong are professional, not physical. Professional indemnity responds to claims about what was said, written, advised or missed, and to the cost of defending them. Licensing conditions and franchise agreements commonly require you to hold it as well.

Do we still need cyber cover if our IT is outsourced?

Outsourcing the systems does not move the responsibility for the money or the data. Agencies move deposits and rent and hold a great deal of personal information, which makes them a target for email interception and invoice fraud. Cyber cover responds to the loss and to the work of putting things right.

Does it matter if we do property management?

Property management is an additional exposure for your business, and should be advised of when obtaining and maintaining your policy coverage.

How Much Public & Products Liability Cover Do I Need?

It depends on the work you do and who you do it for. Many head contractors, councils, property managers and commercial sites set a minimum amount in their contracts before you can start. If you lease your premises, your lease will usually set a minimum level of public liability you must hold as a tenant, and often asks for the landlord to be noted on your policy. So check your contracts, your lease and any tender or site requirements first. Also think about the worst injury or property damage your work could realistically cause.

Cover level	When it's usually needed
$5 million	Small or hobby-sized businesses with lower-risk work, few or no visitors to their premises, and no lease or contract asking for more.
$10 million	Suits most trades and businesses working on client premises or dealing with the public. Often the minimum set by commercial leases, markets and event organisers, and many subcontract agreements.
$20 million	Suits higher-risk work such as specialist trades, construction, mining, transport operators, or working at heights. Often required by head contractors, government bodies, councils, shopping centres, mine sites and larger commercial clients.

We'll look at your contracts, your lease and your work, and help you choose a limit that fits.

Talk to a broker who knows real estate

Tell us about your agency and we'll do the comparing, the paperwork and the advocating.

Request a quote for your agency