CGU is one of Australia's oldest and largest commercial insurers, with a history stretching back over 165 years. Underwritten by Insurance Australia Group (IAG), CGU serves businesses across virtually every industry through both broker and direct channels, offering commercial, farm, motor fleet and personal insurance products.
In This Review
What is CGU Insurance?
CGU Insurance traces its roots back to 1854, making it one of the oldest insurance brands operating in Australia. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Insurance Australia Group (IAG), the country's largest general insurance group, which also owns NRMA, RACV, SGIO, SGIC and WFI among other brands.
CGU's core strength lies in commercial and business insurance. The brand serves businesses of all sizes across an extensive range of industries including construction, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, professional services, agriculture and transport. This broad industry coverage is supported by a network of insurance brokers who work with CGU to tailor policies for specific business needs.
In addition to broker-distributed commercial products, CGU also offers direct online access for smaller businesses seeking standard cover such as business pack insurance, professional indemnity and public liability. Farm insurance through CGU is another significant product line, leveraging IAG's rural expertise through the WFI brand partnership.
CGU has undergone significant transformation in recent years as IAG has streamlined its brand portfolio. The focus has sharpened on commercial lines and broker relationships, positioning CGU as IAG's primary intermediated commercial insurance brand in Australia. This strategic focus means deeper investment in commercial underwriting expertise and claims capabilities.
CGU's 165+ year heritage, IAG financial backing and deep commercial underwriting capability make it a commonly selected option for Australian businesses seeking comprehensive, broker-supported insurance coverage.
CGU Insurance Ratings Across Review Platforms
Disclaimer: Ratings are sourced from public review platforms and awards as of April 2026. Individual experiences may vary. Business insurance reviews tend to be skewed toward negative experiences. Scores are aggregated for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Refer to ASIC's MoneySmart website for guidance on choosing insurance.
What Customers Say About CGU
CGU has been our business insurer for over a decade. The cover for our electrical contracting business is thorough and our broker gets competitive renewals each year.
Professional indemnity and public liability were straightforward to set up through our broker. The online certificate system makes providing proof of insurance to clients simple.
Business interruption claim after flooding took months to resolve. Understand it is complex but the timeline created genuine financial stress for our small business.
Switched our fleet of 15 vehicles to CGU through our broker and saved around 12% on the previous year. Good cover and competitive pricing.
The cyber liability policy has been a smart addition for our accounting practice. CGU understood the specific risks around client data and professional exposure.
Disclaimer: Review highlights are sourced from public review platforms for informational purposes only. Individual experiences may vary and do not represent guaranteed outcomes. This content does not constitute financial advice. Visit ASIC's MoneySmart website (moneysmart.gov.au) for guidance on choosing insurance products.
CGU Insurance Products
Combined business insurance covering property, liability, business interruption and other standard commercial risks in a single policy. Suitable for small to medium businesses.
Covers your legal liability for injury or property damage to third parties arising from your business operations. Essential for tradies, retailers and service businesses.
Protects professionals against claims of negligence, errors or omissions in the services they provide. Required or commonly held by consultants, accountants, IT professionals and others.
Insurance for business vehicles from single commercial vehicles to large fleets. Comprehensive, third party and fleet management options available.
CGU Insurance Pros and Cons
CGU Insurance Pricing
CGU business insurance premiums vary based on industry, business size, location, claims history and the scope of coverage. The following are estimated premium ranges for common business scenarios.
Disclaimer: All pricing figures are indicative estimates based on publicly available data and general profiles. They are not binding quotes. Business insurance premiums vary significantly based on industry, revenue, employees, claims history and cover requirements. Visit cgu.com.au or contact a broker for an actual quote. Refer to ASIC's MoneySmart website (moneysmart.gov.au) for guidance on comparing insurance.
Your industry is the primary rating factor. High-risk industries like construction and manufacturing attract higher premiums than office-based professional services.
Larger businesses with higher revenue typically face higher premiums because the potential claim exposure is greater. Employee count also factors into liability calculations.
A clean claims record generally results in lower premiums. Businesses with prior claims, particularly multiple or large claims, may face significant loading.
Higher cover limits, additional policy sections and lower excesses all increase the premium. Working with a broker helps balance adequate cover with cost management.
Business location affects risk assessment for property cover. Areas prone to natural hazards or with higher crime rates attract higher property insurance premiums.
CGU vs Other Business Insurers
| Feature | Feature | CGU | QBE | Allianz Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.1/5 | 4.2/5 | |
| History | 165+ years | 140+ years | 130+ years (global) | |
| Parent Company | IAG | QBE Group | Allianz Group | |
| Broker Access | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Direct Online | Yes (SME) | Limited | Yes (SME) | |
| Business Pack | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Professional Indemnity | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Cyber Liability | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Farm Insurance | Yes (via WFI) | Yes | Limited | |
| Fleet Insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Disclaimer: Comparison data is based on publicly available information as of April 2026. Features and pricing may change. Verify details directly with each insurer before purchasing. This comparison does not constitute financial advice. Refer to ASIC's MoneySmart website (moneysmart.gov.au) for guidance.
Alternatives to CGU Insurance
One of Australia's largest global insurers with a comprehensive business insurance range. Strong in commercial property, liability and workers compensation.
Part of the world's largest insurance brand, Allianz offers business insurance with strong online access for smaller businesses and broker support for complex needs.
Online business insurance comparison platform that provides quotes from multiple insurers including CGU, QBE and others. Designed for fast online purchasing.
Who Is CGU Best For?
CGU's Business Pack insurance combines property, liability and interruption cover in a single policy, simplifying insurance for SMEs. Direct online access makes it easy for smaller businesses to get covered quickly.
CGU's broad industry coverage means businesses in niche or complex industries - from food manufacturing to engineering consulting - can find tailored coverage through the broker network.
The commercial motor and fleet insurance product is well-suited for businesses operating multiple vehicles, with fleet management tools and scalable cover from single vehicles to 100+ fleets.
With 165+ years of history and IAG's financial backing, CGU provides the stability and claims-paying confidence that businesses need from a long-term insurance partner.
Our Verdict on CGU Insurance
CGU has earned its place as one of Australia's go-to commercial insurers through 165+ years of operation and a product range that covers virtually every business need. The IAG backing provides financial stability that businesses can rely on for large or complex claims, and the broker network ensures that businesses with specialist needs can access tailored coverage.
The dual distribution model - direct online for standard SME cover and broker-intermediated for complex commercial needs - provides flexibility for businesses at different stages of growth. The recent strategic focus on commercial lines suggests ongoing investment in the products and capabilities that matter most to business customers.
The main areas for improvement are claims processing speed for complex claims, particularly business interruption, and the consistency of renewal pricing. Businesses with straightforward insurance needs will find CGU competitive and easy to work with, while those with complex claims should ensure their broker actively manages the claims process.
Common questions about CGU Insurance
How we research and rate insurance companies
This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in April 2026:
Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:
Disclaimer: Our review methodology is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Scores represent editorial opinion based on publicly available data. Individual experiences may vary. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing insurance. For independent guidance on choosing insurance, visit ASIC's MoneySmart website at moneysmart.gov.au.
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