Commercial Legal Expenses

Insurance

Avoid costly legal battles. CLE Insurance covers disputes with tenants, contractors and regulators, plus provides access to legal advice when you need it most.

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Commercial Legal Expenses Insurance for Landlords

Protect your commercial property from costly legal disputes. CLE Insurance covers lease disputes, debt recovery, regulatory investigations, contract disagreements, and provides access to legal advice when you need it most. Coverage is subject to policy terms, limits, and insurer consent, including per-claim limits and excesses.

Why CLE Insurance Matters
CLE Insurance safeguards commercial landlords against legal costs arising from property management disputes. Common scenarios include unpaid rent, lease disagreements, contractor disputes, ATO audits, and employment disputes with staff. Optional endorsements may cover tenant nuisance claims, statutory notices, or international disputes (subject to policy terms).

CLE Insurance is not a substitute for general liability, professional indemnity, or management liability insurance, but complements these by covering legal costs they do not. Coverage typically applies within Australia, unless specifically endorsed.

Please refer to the Insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Policy Wording when deciding if this product is right for you.

Disclaimer: Coverage under Commercial Legal Expenses (CLE) Insurance is subject to the full policy wording, terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions. Not all disputes or legal costs may be covered. Please review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing.

Building Insurance vs. Commercial Legal Expenses (CLE) Insurance for Commercial Landlords

Building Insurance protects the physical property but does not cover legal disputes.

Building Insurance typically covers: 

  • Damage from insured events
  • Glass breakage
  • Loss of rent due to property damage
  • Public Liability for injuries on-site

Building Insurance does not cover:

  • Lease or contract disputes with tenants
  • Unpaid rent or bond recovery
  • Eviction or tenancy enforcement
  • Disputes with contractors or suppliers
  • Regulatory investigations or notices
  • ATO audits (excluding fines or penalties)
  • Employment disputes (if staff are employed, subject to policy terms)
  • General legal advice

CLE Insurance covers: 

  • Lease disputes and access/repair disagreements
  • Debt recovery, including unpaid rent (e.g., recovering non-paying tenant rent)
  • Contract disputes with tenants, trades, or service providers
  • ATO audit costs (excluding fines or penalties)
  • Employment disputes (if staff are employed and subject to policy terms)
  • Regulatory investigations
  • Legal advice hotline for day-to-day questions

CLE coverage is subject to insurer consent, policy limits, and terms. It helps landlords reduce upfront legal costs, resolve disputes efficiently, and access proactive legal advice.

In Summary

Building Insurance protects your property.

CLE Insurance protects your legal risks.

Together, they provide comprehensive protection for commercial landlords, helping you manage lease disputes, debt recovery, and legal challenges with confidence.

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Hear Directly from Our Clients

Don’t take our word for it, see what other business owners and clients have to say.

Once again Caroline has been amazing to deal with, her experience and knowledge is second to none, I would not insure with anyone else.
Caroline Cori at CGIB has provided excellent service over many years. I particularly appreciate her thorough approach in making sure the insurance cover is genuinely suited to my needs, not just off-the-shelf, while also getting me a great price.
Caroline Cori has been absolutely fantastic to deal with, she has always been prompt, professional and knowledgeable with her responses and feedback. Highly recommend to any individual or Business seeking insurance advice!
Caroline has been very helpful and responsive in assisting with the insurance renewals across my businesses with CGIB. She consistently provides prompt service and reliable advice, making the process smooth.

I have also appreciated the support from Joe and Paul, who have been equally professional and attentive. It has been a pleasure dealing with the CGIB team.
Thank you for the continued support
Thank you Sarah for your hard work on behalf of our Owners Corporation - great job!
Sarah was more than helpful throughout multiple insurance quotes and policy detail updates mid term. I was in and out of communication and this was not an issue. Very helpful and will continue to use these guys.
No stress experience - Caroline at CGIB has always been thoroughly detailed and accommodating in every aspect to give me the cover suited to my need.
They are very good at keeping me informed and up to date. They provide good advice and are prompt and efficient.
Been using CGIB for the past 14 years & have found them well organised, very efficient & great to deal with. Caroline Cori is fantastic, I couldn't recommend her highly enough!!!
We were fortunate to have Andrea Muse assist us with renewal of our policy recently.
Andrea is knowledgable, courteous, professional and responds to questions promptly!
I cannot express how happy we were to engage with her re our policy renewal and would recommend highly for assistance with policy matters.

Key Notes:

  • Fines & penalties: Not covered—only legal costs
  • Pre-existing disputes: Excluded
  • International disputes: Usually excluded unless endorsed
  • Consent: Insurer approval required before appointing lawyers or incurring major legal costs

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