What is public liability insurance?
Public liability insurance is a type of business insurance. It provides financial protection for business owners if a third party claims against them due to injury, illness, death or their property being damaged in connection with the business. It can cover legal expenses and potential compensation payments the business may have to pay.
A business is not legally obliged to have insurance for public liability, but it is essential for most businesses if they have any direct dealings with the public or third parties. Any business can take out public liability cover, regardless of size or type. This includes those who are self-employed, freelancers and sole traders.
Seek independent advice
It is crucial to seek independent advice to make sure you get the correct business insurance to suit the way your business operates.
Alexander Swan will work together with you so that we can build a tailored, all -encompassing policy to perfectly match the size of your business and the risks it is exposed to.
Unlike dealing directly with an insurance company, Alexander Swan has access to multiple insurers and their wide range of policies. This broad reach allows us to present you with a range of options, increasing the likelihood of finding the most competitive rates and comprehensive coverage. We are with you every step of the way, from helping you choose the right insurance through to fully assisting you should you ever need to make a claim.
Do I need public liability insurance?
Whilst public liability insurance is not a legal requirement, it is a wise investment for your business.
If you employ staff, you are legally obliged to take out employer’s liability insurance to protect them. Employer’s liability insurance protects your business against financial losses if an employee is injured, gets sick or dies in connection with their work activities.Your employees are not covered under public liability, which only covers third parties. However, it is possible to get public and employer’s liability insurance combined.
What’s included in public liability insurance?
Public Liability insurance protects businesses against: –
- compensation claims from third parties if they get sick, are injured, die, or their property is damaged, whether that occurs on your property, theirs, or anywhere else.
- costs of legal proceedings in case someone makes a claim against your business
- costs of repairing property damage if you or one of your employees accidentally damages a client’s property.
Public Liability Insurance FAQs
No. You would need professional indemnity insurance to cover negligence.
How much public liability insurance you need depends on a number of factors such as how often you come into contact with the public and the risks involved. Some trade associations, local authorities or clients you work with may insist on minimum levels of public liability insurance.
The cost of public liability insurance for a one off event will depend on the level of cover you need for your event. If you are organising a public event, most councils will insist upon a certain level of public liability insurance depending on the type of event, the number of people attending and the potential hazards involved.
