Employers and Public Liability 

WHAT DOES IT COVER?

Employers’ liability insurance covers you for claims relating to injury or illness of staff, which was a direct result of their work while in your employment.

For example, if an employee is injured within the workplace, and it is due to the businesses faulty machinery or unsafe environment

Then employers' liability insurance will cover any compensation and legal costs you have to pay. 

Typically employers' liability insurance covers you for up to £10 million and you must purchase a minimum cover level of £5 million.

 

 WHO NEEDS EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY COVER?

Employers' Liability Insurance is required by law, you will need it for your employees if:

  • You deduct at source National Insurance contributions and Income Tax from the money you pay them.

  • You pay them on a per hour, per day, per week basis.

  • You supply most of the equipment’s and materials.

  • You require the person only to deliver the service and they cannot employ a substitute if they are unable to do the work

 

 WHO IS EXEMPT?

  • Limited companies where only 1 person is employed and they own more than 50% of the share capital.

  • Companies who are not limited and has only 1 employee (sole trader) is the principal of the business.

  • A company which is not limited and who’s employees consist of close family members.

  • Partnerships where the directors are equal partners in the business and do not employ others

Please contact us for more information

Public Liability Insurance

WHAT IS PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE?

Public liability insurance is designed to protect your business if a member of the public is injured, or if their property is damaged, either while they are at your business premises or while you are in their home or workplace.

Even a simple, non-serious accident - such as a customer slipping on a sandwich in your shop and breaking their ankle - could lead to financial claims big enough to bankrupt you.

If your business were deemed liable for an incident like this, you'd likely have to pay compensation for the distress and inconvenience experienced by the person who was injured, as well as cover legal costs.

All in all, you could face a bill for many thousands of pounds - potentially enough to put a small firm out of business.

 

DO I NEED PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE?

Unlike employers’ liability insurance, public liability insurance is not a legal requirement. However, it is considered an essential among business owners, and in some professions you may find it impossible to trade without it.

Some clients may stipulate that you must have a minimum level of public liability insurance in place before you can work for them. If you wish to undertake public sector contract work, you will almost certainly need public liability cover.

 

WHAT DOES PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE USUALLY COVER?

Public liability insurance usually provides cover for:

  • Compensation claims for injuries to a third party or damage to their property, whether an incident takes place on your business premises, a customer’s premises or elsewhere (usually there is a small excess on this)

  • Legal expenses

  • The cost of repairing damage (for example, to a client’s carpets if you are a plumber and do something in the course of your work which causes a flood)

  • The cost of Medical treatment

  • Any other expenses deemed reasonable.

We will be able to advise on the level of cover your require based on our 25 years of experience dealing with this class of insurance, which will depend on the nature of your business and how much it is worth.

We have access to wise range of covers in public liability insurance with limits from £1m to £20m for all-sized enterprises.