If your business comes into contact with members of the public, it’s likely you’ll decide you need public liability insurance. It can cover your business if it’s sued for injury or damage, so it’s popular with tradesmen, hairdressers, shopkeepers and many other business types.
Is public liability insurance a legal requirement?
Public liability insurance isn’t compulsory by law, but many businesses decide that they need it to protect themselves from crippling compensation costs, and also to satisfy the requirements of potential clients.
As it can protect you if you’re sued by a member of the public, this insurance is particularly important if you interact with customers, suppliers or passersby in the course of your work.
You may decide you need public liability insurance because you come into contact with third parties in one or more of these ways:
• Customers visit your premises, for example you have a hairdressing or beauty salon, a shop or a restaurant
• You work on client sites, for example you’re a tradesman carrying out work in people’s homes
• You work in public, for example you’re a builder, and your work could potentially cause injury or damage to someone passing by
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether your business needs public liability insurance, although it’s worth thinking about whether you could afford to meet the cost of a compensation claim if your business was sued and you didn’t have cover.
It’s also worth checking whether clients or potential clients expect you to hold a policy. Local government contracts in particular will usually say you need a particular level of public liability insurance.
Do I need public liability insurance for a private party?
Public liability insurance can come in handy no matter the venue. If you own or are in charge of the venue – if it’s your business premises, for example – then public liability insurance can help pay for legal fees, medical bills and compensation claims if someone suffers an injury during the party. On the other hand, if your party is at an external venue then public liability can help cover the costs if you or one of your guests damages the venue or injures a member of staff by accident.
What is landlord legal cover?
Legal cover is optional cover you can add to your landlord buildings and contents insurance.
Legal cover can aid in the recovery of rent arrears and provide legal support to defend a prosecution against you that arises from you letting your property. It can even provide cover towards any accommodation costs whilst you are unable to get possession of your property and you wish to live there.
What’s included with legal cover?
Landlord legal cover will provide you with legal protection for the following events:
Property damage, nuisance and trespass – Cover for your property or contents if are damaged or affected by a public or private nuisance or trespass.
Repossession – Support with repossession of your property where there are legal grounds to do so.
Recovery of rent arrears – Help to recover any rent arrears if your tenant doesn’t pay.
Prosecution defence – Provide prosecution defence against any alleged offences you’re accused of as a landlord.
Accommodation costs – If you are unable to access your property to live in it yourself, contribution towards the cost of alternative accommodation
What are my landlord legal requirements?
Landlord insurance has strict stipulations around complying with UK legislation as a landlord, such as the Housing Act and Fire Safety Order. For a list of responsibilities and information regarding UK legislation, please visit the government website.
