Public liability insurance is designed to protect your business if negligence on your part causes injury to a third party or damage to their property. It covers the cost of compensation, damages, and any legal costs incurred by third parties in making a successful legal claim against you. As an example, if you installed some wiring that later caused a fire which damaged or destroyed a building, and it was later deemed that you were negligent, your contractors public liability insurance would pay the costs and compensation – up to the maximum level of cover (or limit of indemnity) indicated on your policy.

The level of protection you take out depends on the type of risks you face. It’s really an individual decision based on the nature of each business – though it’s worth finding out what level of cover potential clients expect you to have. There may be a minimum requirement of cover required depending on the nature of the job – for example if it’s a commercial contract for a council they may require a higher level of cover compared to a domestic job. We offer public liability cover ranging from £1 million up to £10 million, depending on the insurer.

They are very different policies. In essence, employers liability protects against death or injury to employees whilst at work, while public liability protects against death or injury and damage to property, affecting everyone apart from employees, and which comes about as a result of your work.

An employee is someone who works part-time or full-time under an employment contract.

Labour-only sub-contractors work under your direction and typically use tools and materials you provide ‒ and are paid by you or through an employment agency.

Bona Fide sub-contractors are paid by the main contractor, but work under their own direction, provide their own materials and tools – and usually have their own public liability insurance in place.

Professional indemnity cover protects you and your business in the event of legal claims relating to advice you have provided and will cover the cost and expenses incurred in your defence.

Efficacy cover provides liability cover which protects you in the event of an injury to a third party or damage to their property, as a result of a product or service’s failure to perform its intended function. This may include failure due to a product fault or its installation, such as: - An alarm system. - A fire control or extinguishing system. - An electronic security system e.g. shutters, access gate, or CCTV cameras.

Contract works insurance protects against damage to any property that is part of the permanent or temporary works being executed by you – that includes things like materials and other items supplied or used in connection with the contract.

Own plant and/or hired in plant cover is vital for any tradesmen who often use complex plant machinery and equipment at work. It either covers loss or damage to plant you own, or any legal liabilities resulting from loss or damage to plant you have hired in – for instance compensation due under any hire agreement.