Public Liability Insurance
Protect your business, your customers and your reputation
Additionally, whether you’re a self-employed tradesman, contractor, shop owner, or run an established business, accidents can happen.
Public Liability Insurance Tradesman Indemnity offers protection and peace of mind.
A customer could trip while visiting your premises. Moreover, you could accidentally damage a client’s property while carrying out work; Public Liability Insurance Tradesman Indemnity can help.
Public Liability Insurance Tradesman Indemnity helps protect your business against the cost of defending these claims. Additionally, it covers legal expenses and any compensation you may become legally liable to pay.
At PublicLiabilityInsurance.co.uk, we make finding the right cover straightforward. Compare quotes, choose the level of cover that suits your business and buy online, or speak to our team if you need help.
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What is Public Liability Insurance?
Public Liability Insurance protects your business if a member of the public or a customer claims that your business has caused them injury or damaged their property.
For example, you might be working at a customer’s home and accidentally damage their flooring, or a visitor to your premises could slip and injure themselves.
If your business is held legally responsible, the costs can quickly become substantial. A liability claim may involve compensation, legal costs, repair bills and other expenses.
Having the right Public Liability Insurance in place means you don’t necessarily have to meet those costs from your own business funds, subject to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions.
Do I have to have Public Liability Insurance?
There is generally no UK law requiring every business to have Public Liability Insurance.
However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need it.
Some clients, contractors, local authorities, landlords and organisations may require you to have a specified level of public liability cover before they will allow you to work for them.
For many tradesmen and contractors, having insurance can therefore be an essential part of winning and retaining work.
Public Liability Insurance for Tradesmen
If you’re a tradesman or contractor, your work often takes you onto other people’s property.
That creates risks that are difficult to predict.
A plumber could accidentally cause an escape of water. An electrician could damage equipment. A decorator could spill paint on expensive flooring. A builder could accidentally damage a neighbouring property.
That’s where Tradesman Indemnity and liability protection can become particularly important.
We can help tradesmen and contractors find insurance suited to their individual business and the work they actually undertake.
Cover can be available for a wide range of occupations, including:
- Builders and building contractors
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Joiners and carpenters
- Painters and decorators
- Landscapers and gardeners
- Handymen
- Roofers
- Flooring contractors
- Tilers
- Kitchen and bathroom installers
- Property maintenance contractors
- Cleaners
- IT engineers
- Mobile tradesmen
- Self-employed contractors
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Why is Public Liability Insurance important?
Running a business means accepting a certain amount of risk. You cannot predict every accident, mistake or unfortunate incident.
Consider some everyday situations.
A customer slips and falls
A customer visits your business premises and slips on a wet floor. They suffer an injury and decide to make a compensation claim against your business.
You damage a customer’s property
You are carrying out work at a customer’s home and accidentally damage an expensive piece of equipment or part of the property.
Your work causes damage
A plumber incorrectly connects a pipe and an escape of water damages the customer’s home.
Your equipment causes an accident
A tradesman leaves equipment or tools in an area where members of the public can access them. Someone trips over the equipment and is injured.
Accidental damage during contract work
A contractor working at commercial premises accidentally damages machinery, fixtures or other property belonging to the client.
These are the types of situations where having appropriate liability insurance could make a significant difference to your business.
Examples of Public Liability Insurance Claims
Public Liability claims aren’t limited to large businesses.
A small business or sole trader can face a significant claim just as easily.
For example:
A landscaper leaves equipment on a pathway.
A passer-by trips over the equipment and suffers an injury. The injured person makes a claim against the landscaping business.
An electrician damages a client’s equipment.
While carrying out electrical work, the electrician accidentally causes damage to an expensive piece of equipment. The client seeks compensation for the damage.
A plumber causes an escape of water.
Incorrectly fitted pipework results in water escaping and damaging ceilings, floors and contents. The property owner makes a claim against the plumber.
A joiner damages hidden services.
During work at commercial premises, a joiner accidentally damages a hidden pipe or cable, causing damage and business interruption for the client.
A contractor causes an injury.
A contractor’s activities result in a member of the public being injured. The business may face a claim for compensation and associated legal costs.
These examples show why Public Liability Insurance isn’t simply about ticking an insurance box. It’s about protecting the business you’ve worked hard to build.
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The cost of Public Liability Insurance can be more affordable than many businesses expect.
The premium will depend on factors such as:
The type of business you operate
The work you undertake
Where you carry out your work
Your annual turnover
The number of employees
Your claims history
The level of cover required
Any additional covers you choose
That’s why it is important to compare quotes based on your actual business activities, rather than simply choosing the cheapest policy.
You can compare Public Liability Insurance quotes online and choose the level of cover that is appropriate for your business.
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How much Public Liability Insurance do I need?
Public Liability Insurance is commonly available with different limits of indemnity, such as:
£1 million | £2 million | £5 million | £10 million
The appropriate level will depend on your business and the contracts you undertake.
For example, a small tradesman working for domestic customers may have different requirements from a contractor working on a large commercial site or undertaking local authority contracts.
Some customers and contracts will also specify the minimum level of cover they require.
If you’re unsure which limit is appropriate, speak to us before purchasing.
What can you add to your insurance?
Public Liability Insurance is only one part of protecting a business.
Depending on your circumstances and the insurer, additional covers may be available.
These can include:
Employers’ Liability Insurance
If you employ staff, you may need Employers’ Liability Insurance to comply with UK legal requirements.
Tools Insurance
Cover for tools and equipment used in connection with your business may be available.
Contract Works
Useful for certain contractors carrying out construction, installation or renovation work.
Business Equipment
Protection for specified business equipment may be available.
Stock Cover
Cover for stock and materials can sometimes be added to your policy.
Product Liability Insurance
If your business manufactures, supplies, distributes or sells products, Product Liability Insurance may be appropriate.
Legal Expenses
Legal expenses insurance can provide additional protection for certain legal disputes and costs, subject to the policy terms.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
If you provide professional advice, designs, consultancy or other professional services, Professional Indemnity Insurance may be worth considering.
The covers available will depend on the insurer and your business activities.
Public Liability Insurance for Sole Traders, Partnerships and Limited Companies
You don’t have to run a large company to need liability insurance.
We can arrange cover for different types of businesses, including:
Sole Traders
Suitable for many self-employed people and independent tradesmen.
Partnerships
Cover can be arranged for businesses operated by two or more partners.
Limited Companies
Insurance can be tailored to the activities and requirements of your company.
Whether you’re starting a new business or have been trading for many years, we can help you find suitable insurance.
Why choose Public Liability Insurance from Top Insurance Services
Insurance can sometimes feel complicated.
Our aim is to make it easier.
We believe you should be able to understand what you’re buying before you commit to a policy.
That’s why we focus on:
Simple, straightforward information
We explain insurance in plain English wherever possible.
A choice of cover
Different businesses have different risks, so one policy isn’t necessarily right for everyone.
Competitive quotes
We help you compare available insurance options.
Online convenience
Get a quote and, where available, purchase your insurance online.
Expert support
If you would rather speak to someone, our team is available to discuss your requirements.
Get your Public Liability Insurance quote today
Whether you’re a tradesman working from your van, a contractor working on commercial premises, a shop owner welcoming customers or a growing business with employees, the right insurance can give you greater confidence.
Don’t leave your business exposed to an unexpected claim.
Compare Public Liability Insurance quotes today.
Get your quote online or speak to our team if you need help choosing the right cover.
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Call 0121 628 9494
Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
Email: info@publicliabilityinsurance.co.uk
Public Liability Insurance FAQs
Is Public Liability Insurance compulsory?
There is generally no law requiring every business to have Public Liability Insurance. However, some clients, contracts, landlords and organisations may require businesses to have it before work can commence.
How much does Public Liability Insurance cost?
There isn’t one standard price. The premium depends on factors such as your business activities, turnover, claims history and the level of cover required. Comparing quotes can help you find competitive cover.
What does Public Liability Insurance cover?
A policy can cover your legal liability for injury to members of the public or damage to third-party property arising from your business activities, together with associated legal costs, subject to the policy wording, limits, conditions and exclusions.
Can a self-employed tradesman get Public Liability Insurance?
Yes. Public Liability Insurance is commonly purchased by self-employed tradesmen, contractors and sole traders.
What is Tradesman Indemnity?
Tradesman Indemnity is often used when referring to insurance protection for tradespeople and contractors. The precise cover available depends on the policy and the activities being insured. Public Liability, Employers’ Liability, Tools and other covers may be available depending on your requirements.
Can I compare Public Liability Insurance quotes online?
Yes. You can request a quote online and, where available, compare your options and purchase your policy online.
What level of Public Liability cover should I choose?
Common limits include £1 million, £2 million, £5 million and £10 million. The appropriate limit depends on your business activities and any contractual requirements placed on you by customers or contractors.
Does Public Liability Insurance cover employees?
Public Liability Insurance and Employers’ Liability Insurance are different types of cover. If you employ people, you should check whether you are legally required to have Employers’ Liability Insurance.
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Public Liability Insurance made simple.
Tell us about your business, compare your options and choose the cover that gives you confidence to get on with the job.
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