Public Liability Insurance

Public Liability Insurance provides protection if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your work. It covers legal defence costs and compensation claims, helping safeguard your business against potentially significant financial loss.

Public Liability Insurance is suitable for most businesses, regardless of size, that interact with members of the public. If your activities could potentially cause injury or damage, Public Liability Cover is an important form of protection. Businesses that may need public liability insurance include:

• Trades and contractors: working at client sites or in public spaces
• Retail businesses: customers visiting shops or premises
• Hospitality businesses: cafés, restaurants and venues welcoming the public
• Office‑based businesses: visitors, clients or contractors attending premises
• Home‑based businesses: protection when clients or suppliers visit
• Event‑based businesses: activities involving the public in temporary locations

Without Public Liability Insurance, your business could be left exposed to costly claims following an accident or incident involving a third party. Even small claims can escalate quickly and place significant pressure on your finances. Potential consequences include:

• Legal costs
• Compensation payments
• Financial strain
• Contractual issues
• Reputational damage

It covers claims for injury or property damage suffered by third parties as a result of your business activities.

Public Liability Insurance is not legally required in the UK, but many clients, venues and contracts insist on it before work can begin.

Cover limits vary depending on your business activities and contracts. Common limits range from £1 million to £10 million or more.

No. Injuries to employees are covered under Employers’ Liability Insurance, which is legally required for most businesses with staff.

If you require both Public Liability Insurance and Employers' Liability Insurance it is usually beneficial to take out a Combined Liability policy.

Public Liability Insurance is often included within a Commercial Combined or Trades policy, depending on your business.

Yes. Public Liability usually covers your business activities both on and off your premises, subject to policy terms.

Not usually. Product‑related claims are covered under Product Liability Insurance, which may be included or added separately.

Public Liability Insurance typically covers accidental injury or damage. Deliberate acts are usually excluded.

Yes. It typically covers legal defence costs associated with insured claims.

Yes. Public Liability Insurance is commonly arranged for sole traders and self‑employed individuals.

Yes. Slips, trips and falls involving members of the public are among the most common types of claims covered by Public Liability Insurance.

Yes, provided the accident results in injury or property damage to a third party and occurs as part of your business activities.

Public Liability Insurance can often cover temporary premises, events or pop‑up locations, provided these activities are disclosed to the insurer.

Yes, claims can sometimes be made long after an incident occurs, as long as the policy was active at the time of the incident, subject to policy terms.

This depends on the circumstances and policy wording, but property owner responsibilities can still apply outside normal trading hours.

Some policies may include limited cover for damage to premises you temporarily hire or rent. This usually has specific limits.

Yes. Cover limits can usually be adjusted to meet contract requirements or reflect increased exposure to risk.

Yes. Risk assessments help reduce the likelihood of accidents, but they don’t eliminate the possibility of claims if something goes wrong.

Insurers usually require details about your business activities, turnover, locations and any previous claims.

It’s best to review your cover annually or whenever your business activities, turnover or operating locations change.

QMT Commercial has access to a wide panel of liability insurers and will endeavour to find suitable Public Liability Cover for higher‑risk industries or activities.