What’s covered by public liability insurance?

At TradesmanInsure, our public liability insurance covers:

• Personal injury claims – if you accidentally injured a third party (such as clients or a member of the public) whilst at work, public liability insurance can cover the costs of a compensation pay-out

• Legal expenses – public liability insurance covers the legal cost of defending a claim brought against you or your business

• Property damage – whilst working on a job, you could damage someone’s home or property. Public liability insurance can cover the costs if a claim is made against you.

What does public liability not cover?

Damage to your property Public liability insurance does not cover damage to your own property, only to the property of others.

Personal accidents Should you be unable to work due to injuries sustained whilst on a job, public liability insurance will not provide cover. However, our occupational personal accident insurance may offer income support during your recovery.

Employee injuries and illnesses If an employee makes a claim against you due to an injury they have sustained or an illness they have developed as a result of their work, public liability insurance will not provide protection. Employers are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance for those situations.

Do I need public liability insurance?

Even though having public liability insurance isn’t a legal must-have, there are plenty of reasons why tradespeople should consider getting this cover:

• It allows you to meet contract requirements. Certain clients will want you to have this cover in place before you even begin the job.

• If you’re looking to sign up with a professional body, you can find that they need this type of insurance.

• Public liability cover can protect your finances if a claim comes your way. Accidents are unavoidable sometimes, so if you accidentally damage someone’s property, public liability insurance can cover these costs.

How much does public liability insurance cost?

Your policy price will depend on a variety of factors that are specific to your business. These are commonly:

Trade – If you work in a low-risk trades, for example carpentry or gardening, usually your premium will be lower than a plumber or builder as these are higher risk.

Size of business - If you have a high business turnover or have employees, this would increase your premium price as there are more people you are needing to cover.

At TradesmanInsure, our public liability insurance policies start from £7* a month and offer cover between £1 million and £5 million to suit your specific trade’s needs. To find out how much you would pay, get an online quote now.

*Price based on a handyman requiring £1 million of public liability insurance

What level of cover should I choose?

Check to see if your clients have specific requirements for the amount of public and product liability insurance you need. This can give you a good starting point.

If they don’t have any particular demands, it’s smart to think about the worst-case scenarios that could happen and the potential costs involved. Consider not only the expense of defending against a claim, but also the compensation you might need to pay to fix any mistakes. This way, you can pick a cover level that makes you feel secure, knowing you’re well-protected against any mishaps that might come your way.