Public liability insurance
Who it’s for
Nearly all businesses, sole traders, partnerships, charities and limited companies will have a requirement for some form of liability insurance. The main type that is required under UK law is employers liability insurance.
If you are an individual with no employees (a pure sole trader) or you trade as a partnership (without any employees) there is not currently a legal requirement to have in force valid employers liability insurance.
But, and it is an important but, if you employ anyone then you are legally required to have employers liability insurance. A limited company is also required to have employers liability insurance. Even if the limited company only has working directors (who also probably own the limited company) then there is a legal requirement to have employers liability insurance.
Whether or not you have a requirement for EL, you will more than likely have a need for public liability insurance.
Employers cover injury to employees, as you would expect, whereas public liability covers injury, illness, disease or damage caused to either third party persons or property.
Why it’s important - examples
If a contractor comes into your home, such as a plumber, and causes damage to your property, ie a burn in the carpet or water leak on your laminate floor, this is public liability.
If you are the contractor, then you know how important it is to get valid cover. If you do not have the cover, you could be faced with a claim for many, many thousands of pounds. Most homeowners will go straight to their insurers, it is then up to their insurers to pursue a claim against you. This is where the problems occur.
Lets say you damage a pub you are working in. The commercial insurance company providing the pub insurance do not want to have to pay out on any claims, unless they have to. Therefore, as soon as they are told that a contractor caused the damage, they pursue you for settlement. In addition, they can, and regularly do, add reasonable costs to this pursuit. So, if they paid our £10,000 for the new floor, with laminate, then you could be faced with a bill for more than this.
This is where you really need to get yourself a policy that covers your public liability for all aspects of the business, including the actions of your employees.
How businessinsure can help
All we do is business insurance. We are not a bank, we do not try and flog you reduced price electricity or holidays. We are just a good old fashioned broker.
Whatever trade you are involved in we know a market that will get you a quote, it is just a case of knowing where to look. With dozens and dozens of years combined experience, let us take the hassle out of getting yourself a cheap quote.
More information
We provide public liability insurance, up to £10,000,000, for most types of business, commercial venture, sole trader or partnership. Yes, there are a few exclusions, but give us a chance and we are sure we can help.
Rather than print a section of a business insurance policy, we will say that whilst the type of cover provided is the same, insurers differ with their terms, conditions, warranties, excesses and, of course, price. Any quote that we provide is confirmed in writing within agreed, set down timescales. Usually within the hour. Even if we are going to have to take a bit more time, or refer to insurers, then we will let you know.
We pride ourselves on service, it is one of our many unique selling points.
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