
Public liability insurance in the UK is a must-have for businesses and individuals who interact with the public. The average cost of public liability insurance in the UK is around £100-£200 per year.
Having this type of insurance can protect you from costly lawsuits if you're found liable for injuries or damages to others. This is especially important if you're in a high-risk profession, such as a builder or a healthcare worker.
The coverage of public liability insurance can vary, but it typically includes up to £5 million in liability coverage. This can help you pay for damages or injuries if you're found liable.
In the UK, public liability insurance is often required by law for certain businesses, such as those in the construction industry.
For more insights, see: What Does Liability Insurance Cover If You're Not at Fault
What Is Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance is a type of business insurance that protects you if a third party makes a claim against you because they were injured or their property was damaged in connection to your business activities.
It's not a legal requirement, but it can protect your business from unforeseen costs. Customers and local/public authorities may ask that you have it in place as part of a business agreement.
Public liability insurance covers you against the cost of any legal fees, compensation claims, and repairing or replacing damaged property.
Most policies cover you whether the injury or damage happened at your premises or off-site.
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Why Do I Need Protection?
You might be wondering why you need public liability insurance in the first place. The UK's most common accident is a slip, trip, or fall, and the majority of them happen out and about.
Public liability insurance is designed to protect your business against third party claims for injuries or property damage. This can happen whether you're at fault or not, and it's not just limited to your premises.
You can get public liability insurance as a standalone cover or add it to a broader business insurance policy. The choice is yours.
Rated 4.8/5 based on 39K+ public liability customer reviews, it's clear that many businesses have found this type of insurance to be effective.
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What's Covered
Public liability insurance in the UK can cover you against costly claims, with limits of up to £10 million for compensation payments.
If you're sued for damages, medical bills, or lost earnings, your policy will cover the costs. You'll also have access to a 24-hour legal helpline.
Public liability insurance covers legal costs and compensation payments if your business is held responsible for injury or property damage to a client, contractor, or another member of the public.
Here are some examples of what public liability insurance can cover:
- Compensation for personal injury claims, such as slips, trips, and falls
- Legal protection for defending claims brought against you
- Compensation for property damage, such as accidental damage to a client's laptop
Don't forget that public liability insurance won't cover your own property and equipment, so you may need to consider separate cover for those.
What Is Occupiers'
Occupiers' liability insurance is a type of public liability insurance that protects businesses from lawsuits if someone is injured on their premises.
This insurance is especially important for businesses that interact with the public, such as retailers, restaurants, and gyms.
If you're a business owner, you know how easily an accident can happen, and having this insurance can give you peace of mind.
For example, if a customer slips on a wet floor in your store, your occupiers' liability insurance can cover the costs of their medical treatment and any damages to their property.
What factors affect the cost of your cover?
- Your occupation can affect the cost of your insurance, with trades that use lots of equipment or dangerous machinery considered a higher risk.
- Where you complete your work can also affect your premium, with businesses in areas with heavy footfall or public interaction considered higher risk.
- How many staff members you have will also impact your premium, as more employees increase the likelihood of accidents.
In fact, 10% of our customers paid £5.29 or less for ten months between July and September 2024 for monthly payments, after an initial deposit.
What Cover Include
Public liability insurance provides essential protection for businesses against costly claims. Up to £10 million cover is available for compensation payments relating to damages, medical bills, or lost earnings.
If you're sued for injury or property damage to a client, contractor, or member of the public, your public liability insurance can cover legal fees and compensation costs. This includes costs associated with defending a claim and any alleged breach of statutory duty.
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Compensation payments can cover medical fees, the costs of medicines and medical equipment, rehabilitation bills, and more. You'll have peace of mind knowing that these costs will be covered if a claim is made against you.
Here's a breakdown of what's covered:
- Compensation Payments: Up to £10 million cover for damages, medical bills, or lost earnings
- Legal Costs: Up to £1 million for claims of accidental bodily injury, loss or damage to third party material property
- Personal Injury: Not covered, consider health insurance to protect against this risk
- Employee Claims: Not covered, consider an employers' liability policy
- Your own property and equipment: Not covered, consider tools and equipment cover
Public liability insurance can protect you against costly claims, giving you peace of mind and financial security.
Factors Affecting Cover Cost
Your occupation can significantly impact the cost of your public liability insurance in the UK. Trades that use lots of equipment or hazardous machinery are considered high-risk, which can increase your premiums.
Where you work can also affect your premium. Businesses in areas with high foot traffic or frequent interactions with the public are more likely to experience accidents, making them a higher risk.
Having a larger staff can also increase your premium, as more employees can lead to a greater number of potential claims.
Here are some key factors that can affect the cost of your cover:
- Your occupation
- Where you work
- Number of staff members
Getting a Quote
Getting a Quote is a breeze. Our quote process is straightforward and can be completed online in just a few minutes.
We'll ask you for some details about your business and the type of work you do. This information will help us build a quote that's tailored to your specific insurance needs.
Within minutes, you'll have a quote that's been built around your business. This means you can quickly and easily see how much public liability insurance will cost you.
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Employers vs Employees
Public liability insurance is designed to protect your business from third-party claims, but it's not intended to cover employees. This is where employers' liability insurance comes in, which is usually required by law if you have employees.
Employers' liability insurance covers employees who suffer injury, illness, or property damage as a result of their work. This includes part-time and full-time employees, volunteers, and trainees.
It's worth noting that public liability insurance protects against accidental injury or property damage to third parties, such as customers or the general public.
Intriguing read: Public Liability Third Party Insurance
Can I Get With a Criminal Record?
If you have a criminal record, getting public liability insurance can be tricky.
You may need to use a broker to help you find a policy, as some insurers won't offer you a policy online if you have a conviction.
In fact, Simply Business can't offer you a policy online if you have a criminal record.
However, three of the insurers on their panel may be able to offer you a public liability policy, as long as you only have one conviction and it didn't result in a custodial sentence.
This is good news, but it's essential to remember that you may need to call them to discuss your options.
Employers' vs Employees
If you have employees, you're likely required to take out an employers' liability insurance policy. This is a legal requirement, and it protects your business in case an employee suffers an injury or illness on the job.
Employers' liability insurance covers employees who have been accidentally injured or fallen ill because of working for you. This includes part-time and full-time employees, volunteers, and trainees.
Related reading: Public Liability Insurance and Employers Liability Insurance

You can buy both public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance as part of a tailored insurance policy. This way, you can protect yourself from claims made by third parties, as well as your employees.
Public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance are two different types of insurance. Here's a quick summary:
By understanding the difference between these two types of insurance, you can make informed decisions about your business insurance needs.
What's the Cost?
The cost of public liability insurance can vary greatly depending on several factors. Businesses that are perceived as riskier will usually pay a higher price for their public liability insurance.
£5.29 a month or £64 a year is the starting price for AXA customers, but prices may differ depending on your specific situation.
The cost of public liability insurance depends on factors such as the type of business you run and the level of cover you choose. You can decide how to pay for your policy – either annually or in monthly instalments.
Related reading: Commercial Property Insurance Rating Factors
Prices may go up or down from day to day, so the prices you're quoted may differ to the ones you see online. You can get quotes in 7 minutes and prices are guaranteed for 30 days.
To give you a better idea, here are some real quotes from an online system:
These quotes are based on a range of factors, like employees and location, and your own quote will be based on what you tell the insurer about your business.
Here's an interesting read: What Are Residual Disability Income Insurance Payments Based on
Exclusions and Limitations
Public liability insurance in the UK has its limitations. Payments of fines or penalties are not covered by public liability insurance.
You should be aware that public liability doesn't cover damage to your own property - only to others. This means that if your business property is damaged due to your business activities, you'll need to consider a specialist office and business equipment insurance policy.
Public liability insurance also won't protect you if an employee claims against you because of an injury they've sustained or an illness they've developed due to their work. Employers are legally obliged to have employers' liability insurance to deal with these situations.
Broaden your view: Workers Compensation Employers Liability Coverage
Here are some key exclusions to be aware of:
- Personal Injury: Public liability won't cover you if you're injured as part of your business activities or as a result of someone else.
- Employee Claims: Public liability won't cover any compensation or legal fees associated with employee claims.
- Your own property and equipment: Public liability won't cover the cost of repair or replacement of your own property or equipment.
Exclusions
Public liability insurance won't cover you if you're injured on the job, so you'll need to consider occupational personal accident insurance for income support.
Damage to your own property isn't covered by public liability insurance, so you'll need to look into office and business equipment insurance for protection.
If an employee sues you for a work-related injury or illness, public liability insurance won't help, and you'll need to have employers' liability insurance to deal with these situations.
Payments of fines or penalties of any kind aren't covered by public liability insurance.
Environmental claims aren't covered by public liability insurance, so if your business is involved in an environmental issue, you'll need to consider a different type of insurance.
Difference Between Other Covers
Let's break down the differences between other business insurance covers.
Public liability insurance protects you from financial loss if you're found liable for an injury or damage to someone else's property.
There's a host of business insurance products beyond public liability, and each one protects you slightly differently.
Don't worry if you're struggling to understand the differences between these covers - business insurance products can be complex.
Each business insurance product is designed to cover a specific risk or liability, so it's essential to understand what's included in each policy.
For example, professional indemnity insurance protects you from financial loss if you're sued for making a mistake or providing poor advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a public liability insurance UK example?
Public liability insurance in the UK helps cover costs of compensation and legal fees if your business is found at fault for injuries or damages to customers. This includes electrical goods that have caused harm to customers.
What is the UK equivalent of commercial general liability insurance?
In the UK, the equivalent of Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance is typically referred to as Business Liability Insurance, which includes Public Liability and Product Liability Insurance.
Sources
- https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance/public-liability-insurance/faq/what-is-public-liability-insurance
- https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/insurance/public-liability/
- https://www.axa.co.uk/business-insurance/public-liability/
- https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/insurance/faq/what-is-public-liability-insurance/
- https://www.markeluk.com/business-insurance/public-liability-insurance
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