At Clear Insurance, we understand the dedication manufacturers bring to producing quality products every day. Whether you’re a food processor, metal fabricator, chemical manufacturer, or industrial equipment supplier, your focus should be on running efficient operations, not navigating complex insurance decisions.
Clear Insurance specialises in insurance advice for manufacturing businesses across diverse sectors including food and beverage, metal fabrication, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automotive components, and industrial equipment. We understand the unique risks manufacturers face in today’s competitive environment.
We take the time to understand your manufacturing processes, product lines, supply chain relationships, and risk profile, guiding you towards appropriate insurance solutions that align with your budget, contractual obligations, and operational requirements.
Understanding Risks in Manufacturing
Manufacturing businesses face diverse exposures that require careful consideration and appropriate insurance protection.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing Insurance
Food and beverage manufacturers encounter specific risks in their daily operations:
Metal Fabrication & Engineering Insurance
Metal fabricators and engineering manufacturers face distinct operational exposures:
Other Manufacturing Sectors
Each manufacturing discipline presents unique considerations:
Manufacturing Sectors We Advise
Our experience spans diverse manufacturing disciplines:
Common Insurance Types for Manufacturers
Based on our experience advising manufacturing businesses, here are commonly discussed insurance types:
Our Approach to Manufacturing Insurance
Understanding Your Operations
We start by learning about your manufacturing processes, product lines, production capacity, supply chain relationships, and any specialised equipment or procedures you use. This helps us identify the specific risks relevant to your operations.
Comprehensive Risk and Insurance Review
Our team conducts a thorough no-obligation assessment of your current risks and insurance arrangements, identifying any gaps or areas where cover may not align with your current operations. You’ll receive a detailed gap analysis report to help you make informed decisions.
Tailored Advice
We provide clear recommendations on appropriate insurance options, explaining complex policy terms in straightforward language to help you make informed decisions that align with your operational needs and budget.
Specialist Market Access
Through our relationships with Australian insurers experienced in manufacturing risks and our membership of the Steadfast Group, we help you access appropriate insurance solutions suited to your manufacturing operations and contractual requirements.
Ongoing Support
As your manufacturing business evolves, whether through new product lines, additional equipment, changed premises, or workforce growth, we provide continued advice and assistance with policy adjustments, annual reviews, and claims support. As you consider new contracts, major equipment purchases, or facility expansions, we can provide guidance on insurance implications before you commit.
Servicing Manufacturers Across Australia
We advise manufacturing businesses in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, regional Queensland, and across Australia. Our team understands Australian manufacturing standards, workplace health and safety requirements, product liability obligations, and state-based regulatory requirements affecting manufacturing operations.
Whether you’re a small specialist manufacturer establishing your operations, a mid-sized production facility managing growing insurance needs, or an established manufacturer seeking clarity on product recall or professional indemnity requirements, we’re here to provide expert guidance tailored to your manufacturing sector and operational structure.
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“We’ve been so impressed at the high-quality service provided by Clear Insurance. They were very thorough when assessing our insurance needs, ensuring that they completely understood our business before making any recommendations. Thank you, Lisa and the team!”
“Clear Insurance has become a key partner for WorkSafe Connect. Lisa and the team have ensured that we understand the risks associated with our business interests and have helped us decide on the cover we need. From taking over an existing set of policies to the full re-marketing of our portfolio, the quality of service, transparency of advice and responsiveness to any request is outstanding. In Clear Insurance, we feel that we are working with a partner who wants the best result for our business and is helping us achieve success.”
“I have had such a good experience with Clear insurance. They recommended to me many changes to my old policies and in less than 4 months the difference saved me $80,000 so I am over the moon. They absolutely know their area of expertise. Thank you to Clear insurance and yes, I can’t recommend them enough.”
“Clear Insurance completed an in-depth analysis of our insurance coverage, identifying our organisation was under-insured. They provided a comprehensive proposal specific to the context that we work in and our growth as a business. It is evident to me, Clear Insurance work diligently and tirelessly to truly understand the needs of their clients to protect them against potential risks.”
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*These testimonials represent individual client experiences. Results vary based on circumstances, requirements, business operations, and market conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance do manufacturers need in Australia?
Manufacturing businesses typically require public and products liability insurance to protect against third-party injury, property damage, and product defect claims. Depending on your operations, you may also need Industrial Special Risks (ISR) insurance for property and business interruption, machinery breakdown cover, product recall insurance, transit insurance for goods in transport, and workers compensation (mandatory). Manufacturers providing design or engineering services should also consider professional indemnity insurance. We can help you assess what’s appropriate for your specific manufacturing operations.
How much does manufacturing insurance cost?
Manufacturing insurance costs vary based on factors including your industry sector, products manufactured, annual turnover, claims history, equipment values, number of employees, and the scope of cover required. A small to mid-sized manufacturer might invest $15,000 to $50,000 annually for comprehensive cover, while larger operations with complex risks may require $100,000 or more. We work with you to find appropriate coverage that fits your operational needs and budget.
Do food manufacturers need different insurance than other manufacturers?
Food and beverage manufacturers face unique risks including product contamination, food-borne illness claims, temperature-controlled storage, perishable inventory, and stringent regulatory requirements. Whilst core insurance types like public liability and property insurance apply to all manufacturers, food producers should ensure their cover specifically addresses food safety incidents, product recall costs, contamination claims, and compliance with Australian food standards. We can help you understand the specific coverage considerations for food manufacturing operations.
What is Industrial Special Risks (ISR) insurance?
Industrial Special Risks insurance is comprehensive cover designed specifically for manufacturing and industrial operations. It typically includes property damage to premises, plant and machinery, stock (including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods), and business interruption following insured events. ISR policies are more suitable for manufacturers than standard commercial property insurance as they’re designed for industrial exposures and can be tailored to specific manufacturing risks. Coverage can include fire, storm, flood, impact damage, theft, and malicious damage.
What’s the difference between public liability and products liability?
Public liability insurance covers third-party bodily injury or property damage that occurs at your premises or during your business operations (such as a supplier injured whilst visiting your facility). Products liability insurance covers injury or damage caused by products you manufacture after they leave your control (such as a defective product causing injury to an end user). Most policies combine both covers into Public & Products Liability, and we can explain how each protects different aspects of your manufacturing business.
Do I need product recall insurance?
Product recall insurance is highly recommended for manufacturers, particularly those in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, consumer goods, and any products where defects could cause injury or property damage. This cover pays for costs associated with product withdrawal, disposal, replacement, customer notification, testing, and brand rehabilitation; expenses that aren’t covered by standard liability policies. A single recall event can cost hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. We can discuss whether this cover is appropriate for your products and market.
Does my business interruption insurance cover a machinery breakdown?
Standard business interruption policies respond to insured events like fire, storm, or flood; not machinery breakdown on its own. If a critical piece of production equipment fails and forces you to halt operations, you need machinery breakdown insurance that includes a consequential loss (business interruption) extension. This is a common gap for manufacturers. The property and BI policy cover the building and income loss from a fire. However, the breakdown policy may need its own BI extension to cover income loss from an equipment failure. We review both policies together to make sure there is no gap between them.
What happens to my insurance if I add a new product line or change my manufacturing process?
Your insurance obligations can change significantly when you introduce new products, change production processes, or supply into new markets. Public and products liability policies are underwritten on the basis of the products you described at inception; a material change in what you manufacture or where it is sold may not be automatically covered. You are required to notify your insurer of material changes. We advise clients to contact us before launching new product lines or entering new distribution arrangements so we can confirm coverage and update your program if needed.
Do I need separate insurance for goods I export?
If you export products, your domestic products liability policy may not automatically extend to claims arising overseas, particularly in the United States, Canada, or other jurisdictions where your policy may have geographic exclusions. Marine cargo insurance covers the goods in transit. However, the products liability exposure in the destination market is a separate question. We review the geographic scope of your liability cover as part of every program assessment and advise on whether export markets are adequately covered.
Are my plant and equipment covered when it is off-site or in transit?
Standard property policies typically cover plant and equipment at your nominated premises. Cover for equipment that moves between sites, is taken to customer locations, or is in transit may require specific extensions or a separate ‘tools of trade’ or ‘mobile plant’ policy. For manufacturers with significant equipment that operates off-site, during installation, commissioning, or maintenance at customer facilities, it is important to confirm exactly where your cover applies and where it stops. We map this as part of your program review.
What liability cover do I need when my products are installed by others?
When your products are supplied to third parties who then install them, your products liability exposure continues after the sale. If the product causes injury or damage after installation, whether due to a manufacturing defect, a specification error, or an installation issue, the question of who bears liability can be contested. Your products liability policy covers your share of that exposure, but the policy terms around installation by others, warranties, and consequential loss vary between insurers. If you supply products that are routinely installed by trade contractors, we review this aspect of your cover carefully.
Important Information: The information on this page is general advice only and doesn’t consider your manufacturing business’s specific circumstances or production processes. Contact us for advice tailored to your manufacturing operations. Coverage examples are illustrative only. Your requirements depend on your manufacturing processes, product types, supply chain arrangements, and export activities. Product liability risks vary based on products manufactured, end-use applications, and distribution. This doesn’t constitute advice regarding workplace safety, environmental regulations, or product safety standards; consult appropriate authorities. Before entering into insurance, you have a duty to disclose anything that may affect an insurer’s decision to insure you. Learn more. View our Financial Services Guide for full details about our services and remuneration. Clear Insurance Pty Ltd | ABN 41 601 916 689 | AFSL No. 548953
Last updated: 14 May 2026
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