Public Liability Insurance

Within this sector of insurance, there are many specialist policies and promises for every type of business that exists. Your business is vitally important to you. Public liability insurance is one of the two main categories … and is vital. Read on for Mr Insurer’s explanation why you won’t want to skimp on this insurance for your business.

Public Liability Insurance

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUSINESS INSURANCE?

You insure either the assets of the business (property / produce / people) or the business’ potential liability in terms of its effects on the public, or its effect on yourself and your employees. The names of these insurances are professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance. This page focuses on Public Liability Insurance.

Once you comprehend the categories, Mr Insurer recommends you really take the time to understand what is right for you and your business. There are also many other niche types of insurance available which are completely dependent on the size of your company / how many employees you have / your product / the kind of work you do. For example, if you work as a delivery driver, you will need van/motorbike insurance, and goods-in-transit insurance. 

PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE – EXPLAINED…

This insurance provides protection if someone takes your business to court because its activity has caused damage to another property or another human being. The policy should include a defence by a specialist lawyer and any compensation you’re directed to pay the claimant.

Any person or business can take out public liability insurance, from freelancers through to FTSE100 companies. Depending on the industries and sectors, some larger organisations will only agree to contracts if the smaller businesses / individuals have public liability in place.

WHAT WOULD PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE COVER?

  • Visit to your business premises (compensation for injury or losses for which your business is accountable)
  • Damage to property your business visits (if you or an employee damages a client’s property the policy should cover repairs and compensation)
  • Medical fees (if a person suffers an injury/illness due to negligence/malpractice, you are liable for cost of treatment)
  • Injury or death (if your business is the cause, the policy should cover compensation)

WHAT INFORAMTION WILL I NEED TO HAND TO GET A QUOTE?

You’ll need to be able to outline your profession/trade and the type of business (i.e. LLP, LTD, sole trader), how long the business has been trading for, and your expected turnover in for the year ahead. Be aware that some policy providers will ask quite probing questions and it might be tempting to answer the questions in such a way so as to cheapen the quote, however, if you do have to claim against the policy and the insurer can prove your information was not correct – they have the freedom not to pay out.

I ONLY RUN A VERY SMALL BUSINESS; DO I REALLY NEED IT?

Compare the Market has some good advice on this issue – including the fact that premiums are dependent on many factors and that premiums are usually higher with higher risk businesses. It’s really important to tell the whole truth to the potential provider when they’re issuing a quote as if you make a claim, they’re at liberty to not pay out on the claim if you haven’t provided correct information when you took out the policy.

I WORK FROM MY HOUSE – DO I STILL NEED THIS INSURANCE?

Yes – but this will sometimes be included with a home business insurance policy – it is really important you check it is included when you take out home business insurance. These packages don’t automatically include everything you may need – Mr Insurer urges you to remember it’s your responsibility to know. For example if you are working from home this may invalidate your buildings insurance regardless of whether you have Business insurance.

Mr Insurer wishes to remind you to keep your knowledge about all these categories and types of insurance up to date and make your policies are correct and valid both for the time periods, and if your business develops / changes its direction or accounting. Stay ahead of the insurance curve.

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