Public Liability is an essential cover for most types of business. So, what is it? Why might you need it? If you’re not sure what Public Liability insurance is, it’s essentially the cover for a business if a customer or member of the public was to suffer a loss or injury as a result of its business activities and if that person made a claim for compensation. This could be a simple accident such as someone falling over your computer cable through to more serious issues that could leave people scarred or disabled for life.

Unless you’re a horse rising business, public liability insurance is not compulsory. However, public liability should be considered essential if you have a business that involves interacting with members of the public.

Even when a business does everything right, there is always the chance of an accident happening. There was a case in the UK whereby a photographer was working for a Local Authority – who luckily had &5 million public liability cover. As he was taking pictures of the mayor shaking hands at a ceremony, he stepped back and knocked an elderly lady who was behind him. She wobbled and fell, hitting her head on the corner of a paving stone. The accident left her severely brain damaged and she required constant care 24 hours a day. The Local Authority were taken to court and the family won &3.1 million in damages to ensure her care for the remainder of her life.

Whether you run a business with a large volume of people visiting your premises (such as a hotel, shopping centre), or if you work on a smaller scale visiting your customers (such as tradesmen, builders etc), public liability insurance is well worth considering.

It’s not just injury to the public you are covered for; public liability also covers for property damage. So if you damaged someone’s property while conducting some work, you would be covered.

Okay, so what do I do next?
Speak to us of course! We have many years’ experience in arranging commercial insurance for all types of businesses, from self-employed tradesmen to multi-million-pound turnover organisations. Get a quote today!