Public Liability Insurance
Protect Your Business Against Third-Party Liability Claims
Accidents can happen in any business.
Whether a customer slips on your premises
or your work accidentally damages
someone else’s property, the financial
consequences can be significant.
At Edison Ives, we help businesses
throughout the UK arrange Public Liability
Insurance suited to their activities,
customers and individual risks.
From sole traders and small businesses
to established companies and specialist
contractors, our team can help you
explore suitable insurance options.
Request a Public Liability Insurance Quote
Looking for Public Liability Insurance
for your business?
Tell us about your trade,
business activities, turnover,
employees and the level
of cover you require.
Our team will review
your requirements and
approach appropriate
insurance markets.
What Is Public Liability Insurance?
Public Liability Insurance
is designed to protect
businesses against certain
compensation claims made
by third parties.
These claims may arise
when a member of the public,
customer, visitor or
other third party
suffers injury or
property damage
as a result of
your business activities.
Depending on the
circumstances and
policy wording,
insurance may cover
eligible compensation
payments and associated
legal defence costs.
Public Liability Insurance
is particularly important
for businesses that
interact with customers,
welcome visitors or
carry out work
at third-party premises.
What Does Public Liability Insurance Cover?
Public Liability Insurance
can provide protection
against a range of
third-party liability risks,
subject to the
policy terms and exclusions.
Injury to Members of the Public
Can provide protection
against certain claims
arising when a
third party suffers
injury due to
your business activities.
Third-Party Property Damage
May cover your
legal liability
for accidental damage
to property belonging
to another person
or business.
Slips, Trips & Falls
Can respond to
certain claims
involving accidents
at your premises
or arising from
your operations.
Legal Defence Costs
May cover eligible
legal expenses
associated with
defending an
insured liability claim,
subject to policy terms.
Work at Customers’ Premises
May provide protection
for certain injury
or property damage
claims arising
while carrying
out insured work
at third-party locations.
Compensation Payments
Can cover eligible
compensation payments
where your business
is legally liable
for an insured
third-party claim.
The exact scope
of protection depends
on the insurer,
your business activities
and the policy wording.
Examples of Public Liability Insurance Claims
Public Liability Insurance
can be relevant in
many everyday business
situations.
Customer Slips in a Shop
A customer slips
on a wet floor
and suffers an injury.
They subsequently
make a claim
against the business.
Contractor Damages Property
A contractor accidentally
damages a customer’s
property while
carrying out work,
resulting in
a compensation claim.
Visitor Injured at Business Premises
A visitor trips
over an obstruction
at business premises
and alleges that
the business
was negligent.
Accidental Damage During Work
A business accidentally
causes damage to
third-party property
during its
insured operations.
These are illustrative
examples only.
Whether a claim is
covered will depend
on the circumstances
and the policy wording.
Who Needs Public Liability Insurance?
Public Liability Insurance
is worth considering
for businesses that
deal with customers,
visitors, suppliers
or members of
the public.
Tradespeople & Contractors
Insurance for
businesses undertaking
work at customers’
homes, commercial
premises or
construction sites.
Retail Businesses
Cover considerations
for shops and
retailers welcoming
customers onto
their premises.
Hospitality Businesses
Insurance for
restaurants, cafés,
pubs and other
businesses interacting
with the public.
Offices & Professional Businesses
Protection for
businesses receiving
visitors or
carrying out
activities involving
third parties.
Event Businesses
Liability insurance
considerations for
businesses involved
in events and
public activities.
Self-Employed & Small Businesses
Insurance for
sole traders
and small businesses
exposed to
third-party injury
or property
damage claims.
Is Public Liability Insurance a Legal Requirement?
Public Liability Insurance
is not generally
a legal requirement
for most UK businesses.
However, certain
contracts, customers,
landlords, local authorities
or industry bodies
may require businesses
to maintain specified
levels of cover.
For example,
a principal contractor
may require subcontractors
to hold Public Liability
Insurance before
allowing them
onto a site.
It is important
to check the
insurance requirements
of your contracts
before undertaking work.
Public Liability Insurance
is different from
Employers’ Liability Insurance,
which is generally
compulsory for businesses
with employees,
subject to exemptions.
How Much Public Liability Insurance Do I Need?
The appropriate
level of Public
Liability Insurance
depends on your
business activities,
the potential
severity of claims
and any contractual
requirements.
Commonly requested
limits include:
£1 Million Cover
May be suitable
for certain
lower-risk businesses,
depending on
their activities
and requirements.
£2 Million Cover
A commonly
requested limit
for various
small businesses
and contractors.
£5 Million Cover
Often requested
under commercial
contracts and
for businesses
with greater
liability exposures.
£10 Million to £20 Million Cover
Higher limits
may be available
for businesses
with substantial
contractual requirements
or liability risks.
These are examples,
not recommendations
for a particular business.
Availability and terms
depend on the insurer.
At Edison Ives,
we can discuss
the limits appropriate
to your business
and explore available
insurance options.
What Does Public Liability Insurance Not Cover?
Public Liability Insurance
does not cover
every type of
business risk.
Common exclusions
or limitations
may include:
- Injury or illness claims by employees, which are generally addressed by Employers’ Liability Insurance.
- Damage to your own business property.
- Professional advice errors, which may require Professional Indemnity Insurance.
- Motor liabilities that require motor insurance.
- Certain damage to property being worked on or held in your care, custody or control.
- Deliberate acts and other excluded activities.
- Claims arising from activities not declared to or accepted by the insurer.
Some risks may
be covered through
specialist policies
or additional extensions.
Always check
the relevant
policy wording
and schedule
for full details.
How Much Does Public Liability Insurance Cost?
The cost of Public
Liability Insurance
varies depending
on the nature
and scale of
your business.
Business Activities
The work you
undertake and
the associated
risks can
affect premiums.
Turnover & Business Size
Your annual
turnover and
scale of operations
may influence
insurer pricing.
Level of Cover
The selected
liability limit
and any specialist
extensions can
affect costs.
Claims History
Previous liability
claims and
loss experience
may influence
available terms.
Our team can
review your
requirements and
approach appropriate
insurers for
available quotations.
Why Choose Edison Ives for Public Liability Insurance?
At Edison Ives,
we understand
that businesses
face different
liability risks
depending on
their activities.
We take time
to understand
your trade,
customers,
contracts and
insurance requirements.
Our team can
approach appropriate
insurance markets
and help explain
important policy
terms, exclusions
and liability limits.
We aim to
provide straightforward
advice and a
personal service
throughout your
insurance arrangements.
Looking for Public Liability Insurance?
Whether you’re
starting a business,
taking on a
new contract
or approaching
your insurance
renewal, our
team would be
happy to discuss
your requirements.
Speak to Our Public Liability Insurance Team
Contact Edison Ives
to discuss your
Public Liability
Insurance requirements.
Call us on
0113 390 4646
Or email
info@edinsure.co.uk