Public liability insurance

Specialist public liability insurance (including product liability insurance) from £5 per month*.

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Public liability insurance is vital if your business regularly deals with clients, the public, suppliers, or contractors. It protects your business against compensation claims should a third party be injured, or their property damaged because of the actions of your business.

Our specialist public liability insurance includes product liability insurance. This protects you against the costs of compensation claims if a third party is injured or their property is damaged by a product you’ve supplied.

What is public liability insurance?

Public liability insurance covers the cost of claims made by members of the public or external stakeholders, in the event of an incident that causes injury or harm, or damage to property. It’s designed to protect your business against losses that may stem from:

• Injury you cause to a third-party during business activities
• Damage you cause to third-party property
• Personal injury to others or damage to their property

If your business is in contact with clients or customers, or regularly deals with the public – during an on-site meeting or consultation - you should consider public liability insurance.

What does public liability insurance cover?

✔ Personal injury claims (slips, trips and falls)

If a customer slips on a wet floor, a client trips over a loose wire or a contractor falls down the stairs, you’ll have peace of mind that the costs of compensation pay-outs will be covered if they claim.

✔ Legal protection

If someone suffers an injury or property damage as a result of your business activities, our public liability insurance covers the legal costs associated with defending a claim brought against you.

✔ Medical expenses

Public liability insurance can protect you if an injured party claims for medical fees, the costs of medicines and medical equipment, rehabilitation bills and more.

Does public liability insurance cover damage to property?

If you damage someone’s property in the course of your business, public liability insurance can cover costs if a claim is made against you. For example, you could accidentally spill coffee over a clients laptop, or if you work as a tradesperson, you could cause damage to someone’s home whilst working on a job.

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What is not covered by public liability insurance?

X Accidents that happen to you

If you can’t work because you’ve been injured in the course of your business operations, public liability won’t cover you. However, our occupational personal accident insurance could provide you with income support as you recover.

X Damage to your property

Public liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property - only to others. To protect your business property, consider taking out a specialist office and business equipment insurance policy.

X Employee injuries and illnesses

If an employee claims against you because of an injury they’ve sustained or an illness they’ve developed due to their work, public liability won’t protect you. Employers are legally obliged to have employers’ liability insurance to deal with these situations.

X Payments of fines or penalties

Public liability insurance does not cover the cost of fines or penalties of any kind.

X Environmental claims

Environmental claims are not covered by public liability insurance.

Do I need public liability insurance?

Public liability is not a legal requirement for businesses. However, there are a multitude of reasons why having this insurance in place makes good sense.

• It enables you to meet contractual requirements
If a contract requires you to have public liability insurance, you could be in breach of contract if you don’t have this cover in place. You could lose the contract and face a claim.

• It may be a requirement for membership of professional bodies and trade associations
To register with some membership bodies, you need to have business public liability insurance in place.

• It can help protect your finances in the event of a claim
Neglecting to take out public liability insurance could have financial implications for your business in the event of a claim. If a claim is brought against you, without public liability insurance in place, you would have to fund any defence (and compensation payments) out of your own finances.

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How much is public liability insurance?

At Markel Direct, our public liability insurance starts from £5 per month* and you can choose from a range of limits (from £1m to £5m) to suit your business.

You can choose to pay by direct debit in 10 monthly interest-free instalments. We don’t charge any fees to change or cancel your policy.

How much does public liability insurance cost?

Your policy will depend on the specifics of your business, the unique risks you face and the level of public liability cover you need. When calculating your premium, we will take a variety of factors into account, including:

• The size of your business
• The industry you operate in
• The nature of your business

*The £5 a month premium referenced is based on a public liability insurance policy (including products liability) with a £1 million level of cover.

How to get public liability insurance

To arrange public liability, simply answer a few questions on our online quote form, or call us on 0333 242 9716. Our lines are open from Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 17:30.

We’ll talk you through your options and provide you with quotes for public liability insurance in minutes.

Why choose Markel Direct for public liability insurance?

If you’re making a public liability insurance comparison, see why Markel Direct are such a great choice.

✔ Legal advice 24/7

No need to wait for answers when facing a legal claim.
Our experienced solicitors are available to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

✔ Quick quotes

Get a quote in as little as 90 seconds by filling in our easy online form.

✔ Customer satisfaction

Consistent and excellent service for our customers, as proven by our high ratings on Feefo.com

✔ Transparent fees

No hidden fees. If you want to change or cancel a policy, you won’t incur any extra fees either.

✔ 25 years’ experience

At Markel Direct, our experience in business insurance means you can trust us when it comes to financial protection. For public liability insurance quotes, speak to our team today on 0333 242 9716.

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Or if you have any questions, you can contact us here.

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Policy Documents

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Cover starting at £5 a month

Frequently asked questions

  • Is public liability insurance a legal requirement?

    Public liability insurance isn’t a legal requirement for businesses. However, the costs in the event of a claim can be extensive and damaging. You may also find that clients or organisations you work with require you to have public liability insurance in place.

     

  • Do you provide proof of cover?

    Yes. If you purchase your policy with us, your documents are emailed to you instantly and include a dedicated 'Confirmation of Liability Insurance' document which you can present as proof of cover.

  • What limit of cover should I choose?

    Check to see if your clients require you to require you to have a certain amount of public and product liability insurance coverage in place. This can help to guide you.

    If not, consider your worst-case scenario and the likely costs involved with not only defending the allegation but also the compensation you would have to pay to put your mistake right.

  • Does public liability insurance cover my business for the actions of my employees?

    If an employee was responsible for accidentally injuring a member of the public or damaging their property during the course of their work, public liability insurance could protect your business against claims that may be brought against you.

    But public liability does not cover you if an employee makes a claim against you. In this case, you would need employers’ liability insurance.

  • Is public liability insurance tax deductible?

    Yes, public liability insurance is tax deductible as it is deemed an ‘allowable expense’. This means that you can deduct the cost of your premium when calculating your taxable profit.

  • What’s the difference between public liability and employers’ liability insurance?

    Public liability covers you for personal injury and property damage claims made by members of the public. Employers’ liability, on the other hand, protects you against claims brought against you by your employees.

  • What’s the difference between public liability and general liability insurance?

    General liability is a broad term that is usually used in the United States. It is used to describe commercial insurance policies that protect against injury, illness and property damage. In the UK, the terms ‘public liability insurance’ or ‘product liability insurance’ tends to be used instead.

  • Why do charities need public liability insurance?

    Public liability cover offers financial protection to charities if someone files a claim for injury or property damage against them. If a charity is found to be negligent, this covers the costs of compensation and legal fees.

    You can find out more about why public liability insurance is important for charities here.

  • Do self-employed people need public liability insurance?

    If any aspect of your job involves hosting people – whether that’s in your home, an office building or at a shared workplace - business public liability insurance is an important consideration. That way you’re covered if the worst should happen, and it demonstrates that you’re serious about maintaining a positive professional relationship. Speak to us about public liability insurance for individuals, and other relevant cover such as tradesman insurance, liability insurance for cleaners and builders public liability insurance.

  • How can I check a public liability policy meets my needs?

    Public liability insurance policies can vary a lot so public liability insurance policy wordings tend to be very comprehensive. Before going ahead with buying your insurance, it’s worth checking the details to ensure that the policy meets your requirements. You can read the policy wording by downloading the policy document just above on the right under ‘Policy Documents’. You’ll be able to see what exactly is covered, limits of cover and compensation and any policy exclusions.

    As mentioned above, if you’re purchasing public liability because you’re required to have it as part of a contract, double check the contract to ensure that the level of cover you’re purchasing meets the level of cover your client has specified.

    If public liability insurance isn’t required by a client, but you’re purchasing it to protect your business, think of a worst case scenario and how much that would cost. By doing this, it will help you to judge the level of cover you may need.

    If you have any questions about what our public liability insurance covers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

  • How are Markel Direct regulated?

    Markel International Insurance Company Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Find out more on the Financial Services Register.

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Cover starting at £5 a month

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Cover starting at £5 a month

More specialist cover

  • Professional indemnity insurance

    Professional indemnity insurance covers the cost of defending your business against allegations of professional negligence (such as giving your client incorrect or wrongful advice) and any compensation or damages subsequently awarded against you. This is essential insurance if you provide advice, designs or services to your client. Cover is available with limits ranging from £50,000 to £5m.

  • Employer's liability insurance

    Employer’s liability insurance is a legal requirement if your business has employees. It covers your business against claims for injury or illness suffered by employees arising from their employment. If you employ staff, even on a part time basis, you almost certainly need this cover. Cover for £10m.

  • Directors and officers insurance

    Directors and officers insurance covers the costs of defending you as a director or officer of your company against allegations of wrongful acts and any damages subsequently awarded against you. Cover is also provided in respect of the legal costs and expenses of defending actions for disqualification as a director, investigations and extradition proceedings. Limits range from £25,000 to £5m.

  • Office insurance

    Office insurance covers your office buildings, office contents and computer equipment against accidental damage (including theft) whilst on your business premises. You can also choose to cover your business equipment (such as laptops and mobile phones) on a worldwide basis, and insure your business against loss of income and/or additional trading expenses following events such as damage to your property

  • Occupational personal accident

    Occupational personal accident insurance can help you maintain an income if you're accidentally injured at work.

  • Legal expenses insurance

    Legal expenses insurance pays your legal costs and expenses for contract disputes, tax enquiries (including IR35), attending jury service, debt recovery, personal injury, as well as any award you are required to pay following an employment dispute with an employee. Limit of £100,000.

  • Cyber and data risks insurance

    Cyber and data risks insurance helps you when you're the victim of a targeted cyber attack, paying the costs of restoring data and equipment, informing clients, meeting ransom demands and loss of your net profit. It also pays your legal defence costs and damages you are legally liable to pay to other parties.

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