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Public liability insurance for small businesses

If you run a small business with six or less staff then our liability insurance could be right for you.

As a small business owner and/or employer, you have a legal responsibility towards your employees, customers and the public. You could be held legally liable and risk being sued if an employee or a member of the public is injured due to your negligence.

Liability insurance is designed to cover legal defence costs for alleged negligence and to pay compensation where the business is found to be at fault.

The increased number of lawyers prepared to accept conditional fee (the so called 'no win no fee') arrangements is widely accepted as a sign that employees and members of the public are more likely to litigate now than ever before, following injury or illness for which they hold you or your business accountable. The cost of paying compensation, following a legal claim made against you by a member of the public or an employee, could be ruinous for your business.

For the vast majority of businesses the following would be a typical requirement.

• Public liability - from £1million up to £20million
• Products liability - from £1million up to £20million
• Employer's liability - £10million

For businesses that provide a service or advice additional protection for professional indemnity insurance is available.

Specialist combined policies are available for a variety of contracting trades that can contain the following additional options.

• Loss or damage on an 'All Risks'* basis to:
• Contract works
• Tools, equipment, site huts, stock and materials in trade
• Equipment hired in
  * Where cover is arranged on an 'All Risks' basis exclusions will apply for example corrosion, rust, electrical mechanical breakdown, depreciation, wear and tear, gradual causes, damage whilst items are being cleaned, repaired altered adjusted or maintained (this list is not exhaustive)
• Continuing Hire Charges
• Legal expenses
• Personal Accident