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Third-party injury
Claims involving customers, visitors, contractors or members of the public who allege injury connected with the business.
Public liability insurance
Public Liability Insurance for UK Businesses
Compare cover for third-party injury and property-damage claims arising from your business activities, with support from a UK commercial insurance broker.
FCA-authorised broker
UK-based support
Cover subject to underwriting
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Working with insurer markets
Market access and cover availability depend on trade, disclosure, claims history, underwriting appetite and policy terms.
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- CHUBB
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- AXA
What the cover is for
Protection when your business affects other people or their property
Public liability insurance can respond to covered compensation and defence costs when a third party alleges that your business caused injury or property damage. The actual cover depends on the declared activities and policy wording.
Third-party property damage
Claims that work, equipment or an incident caused accidental damage to property belonging to someone else.
Defence and compensation costs
Covered legal defence costs and compensation, within the selected limit and subject to the policy terms.
Work away from your premises
Cover may extend to declared work at customer sites, events or other locations within the agreed territorial limits.
Products liability
This may be included or added where goods you make, supply, install, repair or distribute create injury or damage risks.
Contract-required limits
Policies may offer different limits where clients, venues, landlords or trade bodies require evidence of cover.
Who may need it
Common public-facing and third-party risks
The need and appropriate limit vary by trade, contracts, locations and the way the business interacts with people and property.
Customer premises
Shops, offices, hospitality venues and other businesses receiving customers or visitors.
Work at client sites
Trades, contractors, consultants and service businesses working away from their own premises.
Events and venues
Businesses attending exhibitions, markets, venues or temporary events where organisers may request cover.
Products and deliveries
Businesses supplying, fitting, repairing or distributing products, subject to the relevant products-liability section.
Public liability does not cover every business risk.
Employee injury, professional advice, motor use and damage to your own property normally require different cover. Compare employers’ liability, professional indemnity or a broader business insurance package.
Prepare for a quote
Information that helps insurers assess the exposure
Accurate detail helps distinguish everyday public liability from higher-risk activities, product exposure and contractual requirements.
- Business activities and annual turnover.
- Where work takes place and who visits.
- Use of heat, height, machinery or excavation.
- Products made, supplied, fitted or repaired.
- Required liability limit and contract conditions.
- Claims history and relevant risk controls.
Common questions
Public liability insurance FAQs
What does public liability insurance cover?
It can respond to covered claims that a business caused third-party injury or property damage. Cover, exclusions and excesses depend on the policy wording.
Is public liability insurance a legal requirement?
It is not generally compulsory under UK law, but clients, landlords, venues or trade bodies may require a particular limit before work starts.
Which public liability limit should I choose?
The appropriate limit depends on the work, contract requirements, locations and potential third-party exposure. Insurers commonly offer a range of limits, subject to underwriting.
Does public liability insurance cover work at client premises?
It may cover insured third-party injury or property-damage claims arising from work at client premises, subject to the declared activities, exclusions, excess and policy terms.
Is products liability included?
Products liability may be included or offered as a separate section where a business makes, supplies, installs, repairs or distributes products. The schedule and wording confirm the actual cover.
What can affect the premium?
Trade, turnover, work locations, use of subcontractors, products, claims history, required limit and higher-risk activities can all influence insurer appetite and pricing.
Compare public liability insurance quotes
Tell us what the business does, where it works and the limit it needs. We can help present the enquiry to relevant available insurer markets.