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Owners Corporations and Strata Managers are generally aware that a strata policy includes mandatory Public Liability (PL) Cover, and that Legal Defence Expenses (LDE) Cover is a separate, optional cover. However, there is often confusion about which policy applies when an Owners Corporation is served with a letter of demand or other legal notice(s).In this article, we address the key differences between PL Cover and LDE Cover, explain how insurers generally assess claims coverage against both, and share some helpful tips on managing litigated claims.
PL Cover, also known as General Liability Cover, refers to claims made against an insured Owners Corporation by a third party that is seeking compensation for either property damage or personal injury. This third-party claimant can be anyone other than the Owners Corporation, including lot owners, tenants, and even employees/contractors working for the Owners Corporation.
Typical PL claims may include claims from occupants in a residential strata building seeking compensation for personal injury or damage to their personal property, accompanied by allegations that the Owners Corporation is responsible for their loss.
LDE Cover responds to most other types of litigation and legal actions taken against the Owners Corporation and relates to the management of Owners Corporation affairs. This can include ownership of common property, disputes falling under consumer protection legislation, and disputes between the Owners Corporation and employees, such as caretakers and building managers.
Owners Corporations must notify their insurers as soon as they are aware of legal threats against them, even if formal demands or formal legal actions are yet to be made.
PL Cover responds to a claim on an occurrence basis. This means the date when the relevant incident occurred is taken as the appropriate Date of Loss. This date determines which period of insurance the incident falls under. An insurer may sometimes claim prejudice and limit their liability towards the insured's loss/costs in the event of late notification.
LDE Cover responds to a claim on a claims-made basis. This means that the date when an insured Owners Corporation receives summons or notice of the third party’s intention to initiate legal proceedings will be taken as the appropriate Date of Loss. However, if it is found the Owners Corporation was made aware of such intention at an earlier date, then that earlier date may be considered the correct Date of Loss. Late notification can have significant negative consequences in terms of cover under LDE.
Under both covers, an insurer can pay up to the policy limit available to an insured Owners Corporation. The policy limit of each cover is specified on the Certificate of Currency and Policy Schedule.
Under PL Cover, insurers will pay any compensation that the insured is legally required to pay, including settlement awards, court-ordered damages, and costs. If a matter is litigated, insurers will also pay for legal defence costs and court-ordered costs.
Under LDE Cover, as suggested by the term itself, insurers will only pay for legal defence expenses incurred and reasonable investigation/expert fees incurred with the insurer’s written consent. However, insurers will not pay for any compensation ordered by a court/tribunal or negotiated between parties.
PL Cover is generally triggered when the Owners Corporation receives a demand from the third-party claimant including the reasons why they are holding the Owners Corporation responsible for compensation for personal injury or property damage. Generally, insurers will not take active management until a demand against the Owners Corporation is received.
Once insurers have granted indemnity to the Owners Corporation under PL Cover, insurers will take control of the matter and correspond with the third-party claimant directly. The insurers will examine whether the Owners Corporation can be held legally responsible for the claimed loss. If a matter is complex, insurers may appoint factual investigators, liability investigators, or even lawyers with whom the Owners Corporation is required to co-operate and provide any relevant information as requested.
The information an Owners Corporation is required to provide is different when a claim is considered under LDE Cover. The Owners Corporation can appoint its own lawyers with the insurer’s written consent. To determine policy coverage, insurers will usually require the Owners Corporation to obtain from its lawyers both of the following:
If it is not economically viable to defend a claim OR the prospect of successful defence is low, insurers will likely deny coverage under LDE Cover.
Our Strata Claims Team is well equipped to assist you with enquiries and claims under PL and LDE Cover. We can also support you in obtaining relevant information to progress claims quickly.
Feel free to reach out at any time.
Associate Claims Executive
