Protect shared property areas that aren’t covered by strata insurance
Common Ground Insurance (also known as Common Ground Liability Insurance) is designed to protect shared areas of a property that are not covered under a strata scheme. It is designed for residential and commercial lots that have been subdivided but share a common area such as a common driveway.
If you own a dual occupancy, battle axe block, or small subdivision with shared access, you may be jointly responsible for injuries or damage that occurs in these spaces.
What is Common Ground Insurance?
Common Ground Insurance is a specialised form of public liability insurance designed to protect shared areas of a property that are jointly owned but not managed under a formal strata title.
It is typically used where multiple property owners share responsibility for common areas but do not have an owners corporation or strata insurance in place. You may also see it referred to as liability insurance for common property or shared property insurance.
Depending on the state or territory, these arrangements may form part of an Owners Corporation, Body Corporate, Community Title, Strata Plan, or similar structure, however an active Owners Corporation is not always required for this type of insurance to be relevant.
These shared spaces often include:
Driveways and accessways
Shared gardens or yards
Pathways and laneways
Parking areas
Fencing and boundary areas
If someone is injured or property is damaged in one of these areas, all property owners may be held responsible. Common Ground Insurance is designed to respond to these situations by providing protection for public liability claims, third-party property damage, and associated legal costs.
Request a QuoteWho needs Common Ground Insurance?
Many property owners only become aware of Common Ground Insurance when selling, refinancing, or after an incident occurs in a shared area such as a driveway or accessway.
If you are asking “do I need Common Ground Insurance?”, the answer is typically yes where a property includes shared areas but is not covered under a strata scheme.
This type of insurance applies to residential and commercial properties that have been subdivided and share responsibility for common areas.
Common scenarios include:
Dual occupancy properties | Battle axe blocks | Small subdivisions | Multi-dwelling developments without strata | Properties with shared driveways or access
What does Common Ground Insurance cover?
A typical Common Ground Insurance policy provides protection for the shared areas of a property where all owners may have joint liability.
Public liability cover
Provides protection if a person is injured in a shared area such as a driveway, accessway, or common path. This may include incidents like slips, trips, or falls where a property owner is found legally responsible.
Third-party property damage
Covers damage caused to someone else’s property as a result of a shared area. For example, damage to a visitor’s vehicle in a shared driveway or boundary access point.
Legal costs and defence
Helps cover the cost of defending a claim, including legal representation and associated expenses, regardless of the outcome.
Optional benefits
Policies can often be tailored based on the ownership arrangement and risk profile, including higher liability limits, broader definitions of shared property, and flexible arrangements for multi-owner or complex subdivision structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your residential or commercial property includes shared areas such as a driveway, accessway or common space and is not covered under a strata scheme, Common Ground Insurance is usually recommended to protect all owners from shared liability risks.
Responsibility typically sits with all property owners who share the driveway or accessway. For this reason, Common Ground Insurance is usually arranged jointly to ensure all parties are protected in the event of a claim.
No. Strata insurance applies to strata-titled properties and typically covers buildings and common property managed by an owners corporation. Common Ground Insurance is designed for non-strata properties and focuses on shared liability only.
Common Ground Insurance does not cover individual homes, contents, general wear and tear, or incidents outside shared areas. Separate home, landlord or contents insurance is usually required for those risks.
The cost is typically shared between property owners, either equally or according to an agreed arrangement based on ownership or usage of the shared area.
No, it is a separate policy designed specifically for shared ownership and liability risks associated with common property areas.
Without the right cover, property owners may be personally responsible for injury claims, third-party property damage, and legal defence costs arising from shared areas such as driveways or accessways. Even minor incidents can result in significant financial exposure for all owners.
Common ground insurance helps protect all co-owners from liability, reduce disputes between neighbours, provide clarity around shared responsibility, and may also be required to satisfy lender or contractual obligations.
Common ground or common area refers to parts of a property that are shared and jointly owned by multiple lot owners under a plan of subdivision. When purchasing into a subdivided property, owners not only own their individual lot but also hold a shared interest in the common property associated with the development. This typically includes areas such as driveways, accessways, gardens, shared parking areas, storage spaces, and in some cases recreational facilities.
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Shared property areas that fall outside strata insurance still require appropriate protection.
For more information or to arrange cover, please contact our team or simply fill out the quote form below and one of our insurance brokers will get in touch.
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