Why you need it
This type of insurance can help protect you against compensation claims.
If your business activities cause injury to a member of the public or you cause damage to their property,
you might need financial assistance.
A claim could take many forms, from a slip on an unmarked spillage to an accident on a construction site.
If clients or customers visit your business premises, it's well worth considering this type of cover.
Someone tripping over a loose computer cable or an uneven floor could result in an expensive claim.
You may be required to present proof of public liability insurance to potential clients before they will work
with you. Local authorities will normally insist you have at least £2m public liability cover before you
undertake work at their premises or on their behalf.
What does it cover?
Typically, public liability insurance will cover a number of areas:
- Compensation and damages
- Loss of earnings
- Loss of future earnings
Your legal costs
(Your legal costs in defending a claim against your business and damages awarded against you.
These could include injury awards, compensation to the injured person for loss of earnings and their legal costs.)
The claimant's legal costs (if you're found to be at fault)
Who's it for?
- If, as a business, you come in to contact with the public - this insurance is a must.
- If your work has the potential to cause injury to a member of the public or damage to their property,
you could be at risk of compensation claims and could benefit from this cover. - You may be required to present proof of public liability insurance to potential clients before they will
work with you. It's worth checking how much insurance you're required to have.
Public liability cover usually forms the basis of any tradesman insurance package as construction work
can have the potential to cause damage to third party property or a member of the public.
Also, think about any clients that might regularly visit your premises. You might want to consider taking
out this insurance to cover any visitors who come to your work address. Something as small as a slippery
floor could result in a large claim.
What does it cover?
Typically, public liability insurance will cover a number of areas:
- Compensation and damages
- Loss of earnings
- Loss of future earnings
- Your legal costs (Your legal costs in defending a claim against your business and damages
awarded against you. These could include injury awards, compensation to the injured person
for loss of earnings and their legal costs.) - The claimant's legal costs (if you're found to be at fault)
Who's it for?
If, as a business, you come in to contact with the public - this insurance is a must.
- If your work has the potential to cause injury to a member of the public or damage
to their property, you could be at risk of compensation claims and could benefit from this cover. - You may be required to present proof of public liability insurance to potential clients before they
will work with you. It's worth checking how much insurance you're required to have. - Public liability cover usually forms the basis of any tradesman insurance package as construction
work can have the potential to cause damage to third party property or a member of the public. - Also, think about any clients that might regularly visit your premises. You might want to consider
taking out this insurance to cover any visitors who come to your work address. Something as small
as a slippery floor could result in a large claim.
You made need public liability insurance if you're a:
Tradesman
Contractor
Know-how
Take a browse through some of our handy articles about public liability insurance:
Builders' Public Liability Insurance
Plumbers' Public Liability Insurance