Public Liability Insurance

Public Liability Insurance isn’t generally required by law in the UK. However, clients, contractors, landlords or industry bodies may ask you to have a certain level of cover before you work with them.

Even when it isn’t required, you may want to consider Public Liability Insurance if your business interacts with customers, clients or members of the public, or if you work at other people’s premises.

Public Liability Insurance may be worth considering if your business comes into contact with customers, clients, suppliers or members of the public.

For example, it could be relevant if you’re a tradesperson working at customers’ properties, a retailer welcoming customers into a shop, or a business attending events or visiting client premises.

Sole traders, self-employed professionals and businesses with employees can all take out Public Liability Insurance.

Public Liability Insurance can help with legal costs and compensation if a customer, client or member of the public claims they’ve been injured or their property has been damaged because of your business activities.

For example, it may help if a customer is injured at your premises or you accidentally damage someone’s property while carrying out work.

Cover can include compensation payments and legal defence costs for covered claims. Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply.

Public Liability Insurance is designed for certain claims from customers, clients and other third parties, but not for claims from your employees.

If an employee claims they’ve been injured or become ill because of their work, Employers’ Liability Insurance may help with legal costs and compensation if your business is found liable.

Employers’ Liability Insurance is legally required for most UK businesses that employ staff, although some exceptions apply.

The amount of Public Liability cover you may need depends on your business activities, the risks you face and any requirements set by clients or contracts.

You may want to consider how often you interact with members of the public, where you work and the potential impact if your business causes injury or property damage. Some clients may also require a minimum level of cover before you can work with them.

Public Liability Insurance is commonly available at different limits, so check the options available when getting a quote.

Get a quote for Public Liability Insurance

The cost of Public Liability Insurance depends on your business and the cover you choose.

Factors can include the type of work you do, your turnover, where you work, the number of people in your business, your claims history and the level of cover you select.

Getting a quote based on your business details will show you the price and cover options available to you.

Public Liability Insurance isn’t generally a legal requirement for self-employed people, but you may want to consider it if your work brings you into contact with customers, clients or members of the public.

For example, it could help if someone claims they were injured or their property was damaged because of your business activities. Clients or contracts may also require you to have Public Liability Insurance before you start work.

If you don’t have Public Liability Insurance and someone makes a claim against your business, you may have to meet the legal and compensation costs yourself.

Public Liability Insurance isn’t generally required by law, but having cover in place can help with the financial impact of covered claims.

Public Liability Insurance doesn’t cover every business risk. Depending on how your business operates, you may also want to consider:

• Employers’ Liability Insurance – for certain claims from employees who become injured or ill because of their work.
• Tools Insurance – for insured tools that are lost, stolen or damaged.
• Business Equipment Insurance – for equipment you rely on to run your business.
• Commercial Legal Protection – for certain legal costs and disputes not covered by Public Liability Insurance.