Public Liability Insurance for Domiciliary Care

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Specialist Public Liability Insurance for domiciliary care providers, care agencies and self-employed carers – designed to protect you if a client or member of the public alleges injury or property damage arising from your care activities.

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We work with leading UK insurers for care and liability risks

  • Allianz
  • Aviva
  • QBE
  • RSA
  • Zurich
  • NIG

PUBLIC LIABILITY COVER BUILT AROUND DOMICILIARY CARE

Public liability designed for carers visiting clients in their own homes

From personal care to domestic support, domiciliary care takes place in unpredictable home environments. Our Public Liability Insurance can help protect you if something goes wrong during a visit.

What Public Liability Insurance for Domiciliary Care Can Cover

Public Liability Insurance is designed to protect your domiciliary care business if a client or member of the public alleges that your actions caused them injury or damaged their property, and they pursue you for compensation.

  • Claims for accidental injury to clients or visitors while you are providing care.
  • Damage to clients’ property during visits (for example, spills or breakages).
  • Incidents in communal areas of supported living or shared accommodation.
  • Cover for carers working in clients’ homes and out in the community.
  • Legal defence costs if a covered claim is made against you.
  • Compensation awards you are legally liable to pay (subject to policy terms).
  • Extensions to include public liability at training, meetings or events.
  • Cover that sits alongside professional indemnity and medical malpractice.
  • Options for higher limits of indemnity where funders require it.
  • Cover for registered providers, agencies and self-employed carers.
  • Ability to include multiple locations and care teams under one policy.
  • Tailored wording for domiciliary care rather than generic business cover.
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Key Public Liability Risks in Domiciliary Care

Care in people’s homes is personal, often one-to-one, and every environment is different. The following types of incidents can lead to public liability claims.

Client Injury Scenarios

  • Clients tripping over equipment, bags or cables during a visit.
  • Slips on wet floors after cleaning or personal care.
  • Accidental knocks or minor injuries while assisting with mobility.
  • Incidents involving wheelchairs, hoists or household aids (where covered).
  • Claims alleging that your actions contributed to an accident in the home.

Property Damage & Third Parties

  • Damage to carpets, furniture or fixtures while providing care.
  • Incidents in communal areas of supported housing or sheltered schemes.
  • Accidental damage to neighbours’ property while visiting.
  • Claims from visitors present in the property during care visits.
  • Allegations arising from everyday tasks such as cleaning or meal prep.
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Why Domiciliary Care Providers Choose Insure24

We understand that domiciliary care is not the same as a standard commercial business, and your insurance shouldn’t be either.

Care-Sector Experience

  • Knowledge of domiciliary care, home care and community support services.
  • Policies built around risk in clients’ homes, not just at your office.
  • Ability to combine public liability with professional and medical covers.
  • Support with funder, commissioner and local authority requirements.
  • Help aligning insurance documents with CQC expectations (where applicable).

Practical, Affordable Protection

  • Options for small care teams, start-ups and established providers.
  • Choice of limits to meet contract and framework thresholds.
  • Access to insurers comfortable with domiciliary care risk.
  • Straightforward advice on what is and isn’t covered.
  • Support if you need to adjust cover as your service grows.
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How to Arrange Public Liability Insurance for Domiciliary Care

  • 1. Contact us by phone or online with a brief overview of your service.
  • 2. Tell us how many carers you have and what type of support they provide.
  • 3. Share where you work – local area, wider region or nationwide.
  • 4. Let us know about any specialisms such as complex care or high-dependency clients.
  • 5. We approach suitable insurers that understand domiciliary care.
  • 6. We compare cover, limits, exclusions and premiums.
  • 7. You choose the Public Liability Insurance that best fits your service.
  • 8. We arrange policy documents and support you going forward.
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Who Is Public Liability Insurance for Domiciliary Care Designed For?

Our solutions can be tailored to a range of home care and community-based support services.

Registered Domiciliary Care Agencies

  • Providers delivering personal care and support in clients’ homes.
  • Services commissioned by local authorities, the NHS or private clients.
  • Teams working across multiple postcodes or regions.
  • Office-based admin combined with field-based care staff.
  • Organisations looking to align cover with quality and compliance.

Self-Employed & Small Care Teams

  • Individual carers working directly with clients in their homes.
  • Micro-providers offering a mix of personal and domestic support.
  • Small teams looking for cover that grows with them.
  • Carers needing proof of cover for agencies or introduction services.
  • Flexible policies that reflect the reality of working patterns.

Specialist & Complex Care Providers

  • Providers supporting people with more complex needs at home.
  • Care involving hoisting, mobility aids and adapted environments.
  • Services operating alongside nursing or clinical support teams.
  • Teams with additional reporting and governance requirements.
  • Need for clear alignment between liability and professional covers.

Community & Support Services

  • Outreach and community support delivered in clients’ homes.
  • Practical help with shopping, appointments and daily living.
  • Support with social inclusion and community participation.
  • Charities and social enterprises running home-based services.
  • Organisations needing clear public liability protection for activities.
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The Cost of Public Liability Claims in Domiciliary Care

Even a single claim can be disruptive, time-consuming and expensive without the right insurance support.

Financial Impact

  • Legal fees defending allegations of injury or damage.
  • Potential compensation payments where you are found liable.
  • Costs associated with investigations and reporting.
  • Time off rota for managers and key staff to handle the claim.
  • Possible knock-on impact on cashflow and growth.

Operational & Reputational Impact

  • Stress for carers and managers involved in an incident.
  • Concern from other clients and families.
  • Additional scrutiny from commissioners or funders.
  • Greater focus on documentation and evidence.
  • Potential reputational impact if not handled well.

Supporting You When Claims Happen

Having appropriate Public Liability Insurance means you are not facing these issues alone. Your policy can provide legal support and financial backing, allowing you to focus on clients and staff while the claim is managed.

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Reducing Public Liability Risk in Domiciliary Care

Good risk management can help prevent incidents and support more favourable insurance terms.

Practical Steps for Care Teams

  • Clear procedures for moving safely in clients’ homes.
  • Checks for hazards such as loose rugs, clutter or poor lighting.
  • Training on safe use of equipment and mobility aids (where used).
  • Reporting processes when near-misses or incidents occur.
  • Emphasis on respectful communication with clients and families.

Policies, Records & Supervision

  • Up-to-date risk assessments for the care you provide.
  • Documented care plans and visit records.
  • Regular supervision and updates for care staff.
  • Incident forms and follow-up actions where needed.
  • Review of policies as your service changes or expands.
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Insure24 helped us put together a public liability programme that reflected the realities of delivering care in people’s homes. The process was clear and supportive from start to finish.

Susan M., Registered Manager, Domiciliary Care Agency

UNIQUE INSURANCE
TAILORED FOR YOUR DOMICILIARY CARE SERVICE 

PROTECT YOUR CLIENTS, STAFF AND ORGANISATION

  • Protects your organisation against covered liability claims.
  • Helps you meet commissioner, framework and contract requirements.
  • Gives reassurance to clients, families and staff.
  • Supports long-term service stability and growth.
  • Forms part of a wider domiciliary care insurance programme.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What is Public Liability Insurance for domiciliary care?

Public Liability Insurance for domiciliary care is cover that protects you if a client or member of the public alleges they have suffered injury or property damage because of your care activities, and they make a claim against your organisation or business.

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Do domiciliary care providers have to have public liability insurance?

Many commissioners, frameworks and introduction services expect domiciliary care providers and self-employed carers to hold public liability cover. It is also a key way of protecting your business against the financial impact of covered claims. Specific legal requirements will depend on your structure and contracts, and you may wish to seek professional advice if you are unsure.

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How is public liability different from professional indemnity?

Public liability usually focuses on injury or property damage to third parties, for example a client tripping over equipment. Professional indemnity (and medical malpractice covers) are more focused on claims about the advice, professional judgement or clinical aspects of care. Domiciliary care providers often benefit from holding both types of cover alongside each other.

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Does public liability cover my carers when they are working in clients’ homes?

Public Liability Insurance is typically intended to cover your activities in the course of your business, including work carried out by employees in clients’ homes, subject to the policy terms and conditions. When arranging cover, it is important to explain where and how your carers work so this can be reflected in the policy.

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What limit of indemnity do I need?

The appropriate limit depends on your contracts, commissioner requirements, the nature of the care you provide and your risk appetite. Common limits start from £1 million, with many domiciliary care providers choosing £5 million or more. We can discuss what is typical for your type of service and funding arrangements.

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Can self-employed carers get public liability insurance?

Yes. We can often arrange Public Liability Insurance for self-employed carers and micro-providers working directly with clients in their homes. You will typically be asked about the type of care you provide, your experience and any contracts you have in place.

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Does public liability cover my employees as well?

Public liability is primarily about third parties such as clients and members of the public. If you employ staff, you will usually also need Employers’ Liability Insurance, which is a separate cover that protects you against certain claims from employees. We can help you arrange both types of cover as part of a wider package.

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How quickly can cover be arranged?

Timescales will depend on the complexity of your service and the information available, but many straightforward domiciliary care risks can be quoted and arranged relatively quickly once we have the key details about your activities and requirements.

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