Public liability insurance for your business

Every business needs public liability insurance that is tailored to its specific risks and requirements.  Taking out a flexible business insurance policy that includes public liability ensures that your business won’t lose out financially if an accident happens.

Read our article: Why is public liability important?

What does public liability insurance cover?

Public liability insurance is important for your business because it will pay out in the event that a mistake is made which causes an injury to a member of the public or customer, or which damages their property.

Incidents where customers slip or trip over are among the most common accidents which can result in public liability insurance claims.  For example, if a spill on a shop floor isn’t marked sufficiently with a warning sign, and a customer slips and becomes injured as a result, they may claim for compensation.  Public liability insurance covers this cost for a business.

An example of a claim

A plumber was working on a domestic property within a block of flats but failed to fit caps properly whilst undertaking the repairs. This error caused water damage in the property for which he had been hired, as well as the property below.
What did the insurance company pay for?
Damage caused was covered under the Public Liability section, costing a total of £15,000.
What did the insurance company not cover?
£250 excess and any element of profit on the remedial works

What level of public liability cover do you need?

The minimum level of cover a business can take out is £1 million. However, depending on the nature of your business, you may need more cover. For companies that work on government contracts, there is likely to be a requirement for £5 million or £10 million of public liability.

Details to look out for on your policy

• Is your business covered for the right things? For example, if you work at heights above 10m, is this covered?
• Which exclusions are on the policy?  Cheaper quotes may exclude circumstances that are important for your business.
• Have you chosen the right level of cover for your business and a level that is acceptable for your clients?

Buying your public liability insurance

It’s simple to buy the right public liability insurance with Simply Business.

• Build your ideal cover using our simple form
• Add on any additional covers you need
• Compare a range of quotes from trusted insurers
• Buy your policy online or speak to an expert on the telephone
• Receive your documents online instantly
• Up to 50% no claims discount