Public Liability Insurance
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From £3.14* a month
What is Public Liability Insurance?
If you run a business or work for yourself, you are often in contact with customers, suppliers, or members of the public. Public Liability Insurance (PLI) protects you if an accident occurs and a third party blames your business for an injury or damage to their property.
Without cover, a single claim for a trip, slip, or broken piece of equipment could lead to a significant financial bill that threatens your livelihood.
Make sure you have the correct insurance for your activities and be sure to check if any exclusions are relevant to what you have planned in policy documentation.
Compensation Payments:
If you are found legally responsible for an injury or for damaging someone’s property.
Legal Defence Costs:
The cost of solicitors and legal representation to defend your case, even if the claim against you is eventually dropped.
Third-Party Injuries:
This covers members of the public, but not your own employees (who require Employers’ Liability instead).
Cover may vary depending on your trade or profession. Get a quote to see the full range of options available for your business.
Who needs Public Liability Insurance?
If your business interacts with people – whether they are clients, suppliers, or passers-by, Public Liability Insurance is essential. In the UK, while not always a legal requirement, many local authorities, event organisers, and trade bodies will insist on seeing a valid policy before allowing you to trade or enter a contract.
It is particularly relevant for:
Tradespeople and contractors
People such as builders, plumbers, electricians, and others who work in clients’ homes or on worksites may need insurance because accidents can happen during physical work. For example, tools, materials, or completed work could accidentally cause damage to property or injury to someone nearby.
Specialist service providers
Pet sitters, dog walkers, groomers, cleaners, caterers, crafters, and similar service providers often work in public or private spaces. Insurance can help if an activity, product, or animal in their care unintentionally causes damage or injury to another person or their belongings.
Health and wellbeing professionals
Therapists, hairdressers, personal trainers, fitness instructors, and other client-facing professionals interact closely with members of the public. Insurance may be important in case a client is injured during a session or has an unexpected reaction to equipment, treatments, or activities.
Event organisers and stallholders
People organising events or running stalls at fairs, markets, festivals, or conferences are responsible for temporary setups and public interaction. Insurance can provide protection if event equipment, displays, or crowd movement leads to accidental damage or injury.
Consultants, freelancers, and creatives
Professionals working from client sites, shared workspaces, studios, or home offices may still face risks when meeting clients or using equipment. Insurance can help if someone is accidentally injured or property is damaged during everyday work activities.
Our experts explain why...
“Public Liability Insurance gives your small business vital protection against claims from members of the public, such as accidental injury or property damage. Even a minor incident could result in costly compensation or legal expenses. With our cover in place, you can continue running your business knowing you’re safeguarded against unexpected third-party claims.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does Public Liability Insurance cost?
At Protectivity policies start at just £3.14* a month.
Your liability insurance cost will be based on several factors and in particular the level of cover you require. For example, you can select £1 million to £10 million worth of cover, depending on your business activity.
Prices will also be affected by the size of your business, how many people work for you and things like your annual turnover. Follow the quote process to receive the most suitable quote.
At Protectivity public liability is typically included as standard. We have also designed specialist policies that take into account specific activities and allow you to easily add extras such as equipment cover, legal expenses, professional indemnity, employers’ liability etc.
Prices from
£3.14* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£3.14* a month
Policy type
Therapy Insurance
Duration
Annual
Turnover
£50,000
Public Liability
£1,000,000
Professional Indemnity
£1,000,000
Third Party Property Damage
£750
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 05/01/2026. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive than the above example. The quote you receive will reflect the information you share about your event. The quoted price may vary from those displayed here.
Have a question?
For further information on your policy, renewals, making a claim and contacting us, you’ll find an extensive list of FAQs on our Help & Support page.
Why choose Protectivity for your public liability insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 180,000 customers.
Experienced insurance providers for over 30 years.
Over 3,500 highly rated reviews.
Proof of our excellent customer service.
Experienced Claims Handling
A smooth and efficient claims process.
UK Based Customer Support
Our UK sales team are here to help.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Does public liability insurance cover damage to third-party property?
Yes. Public liability insurance is generally designed to cover accidental damage to third-party property where your business is found to be responsible.
Can I get public liability insurance for short-term or one-off work?
Yes. Some policies can be arranged for short-term or one-off activities, although many businesses choose annual cover for ongoing protection.
Does public liability insurance cover work carried out abroad?
No, not usually. Standard public liability insurance typically applies only within a defined geographical area. Cover for overseas work may be available as an extension, depending on the policy.
What happens if a client or member of the public is injured on my business premises?
If a client or member of the public is injured on your premises and your business is found to be at fault, public liability insurance can help protect you against resulting claims and associated costs.
Will clients, venues, or contracts require proof of a specific level of cover?
Yes. It is common for clients, venues, and contractual agreements to require evidence of an appropriate level of liability cover before work can begin.
Am I covered for incidents that happen at events?
Yes, if included. Public liability insurance can cover incidents at events, provided your policy includes event-related activities or specific event cover.
Does public liability insurance cover legal costs?
Yes. Public liability insurance generally includes cover for legal defence costs associated with a valid claim.
Is public liability insurance required for working on construction sites?
Yes, in most cases. Public liability insurance is commonly expected when working on construction sites to protect against third-party injury or property damage claims.
Can I increase my level of public liability cover later?
Yes. Our policies allow businesses to increase their level of cover during the policy term, which may affect the premium.
Does public liability insurance cover subcontractors?
No, not usually. Subcontractors are typically expected to hold their own insurance, although some policies may extend cover to certain labour-only subcontractors.
Are my tools and equipment covered under a public liability policy?
No. Public liability insurance does not usually cover tools or equipment owned by your business. At Protectivity some policies provide a limited level of equipment cover as standard but typically you will need to add extra cover.
Can I cancel my insurance and get a refund?
Yes. You can cancel your policy at any time, and in most cases receive a refund for the remaining period, as long as no claims have been made.
Do I need public liability insurance and is it a legal requirement?
Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK, but many businesses find it essential. If you interact with customers, suppliers, or members of the public, there’s always a risk of accidental injury or damage to property. Having public liability insurance UK in place helps protect you from potentially high compensation claims and may be required by clients, venues, or local authorities before you can work with them.
Does public liability insurance include product liability?
Standard public liability insurance covers injury or damage caused by your work or activities, but it doesn’t always include product liability as standard. Product liability insurance is separate cover designed to protect your business if a product you sell, supply, or manufacture causes harm or damage. Some insurers allow you to add product liability to your small business liability insurance policy for complete protection.
What isn’t covered by public liability insurance?
While liability insurance for small business offers valuable protection, it doesn’t cover everything. Typically, it won’t include:
- Injury to your employees (covered by employers’ liability insurance).
- Damage to your own property or business equipment.
- Poor professional advice or services (covered by professional indemnity insurance).
- Contract disputes, deliberate acts, or illegal activities.
Always check your policy wording to be clear on what isn’t covered by public liability insurance.
Does public liability insurance cover employees?
No — public liability insurance only protects against claims made by third parties such as customers, suppliers, or members of the public. If you employ staff, even part-time or temporary workers, you are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. This separate cover protects you if an employee is injured or becomes ill because of their work.
Do I need public liability insurance if I’m self-employed?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended. If you’re self-employed and interact with clients or the public, you’re personally responsible for any claims made against your business. Public liability insurance for small business gives you peace of mind that one accident won’t put your livelihood at risk. Many clients also insist that freelancers and contractors have cover in place before starting work.
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This page content has been created for general information and should not be taken as advice.
*Prices quoted refer to a quote raised from our website 05/01/2026. Prices will differ depending on requirements. Make sure you have the correct level of cover for what you need. For the most accurate pricing, please get a quote and for full details on what is covered refer to our policy documentation with your quote.
** Based on Protectivity sales data from 2007 to present
ˆ10% discount for policies bought online and applies only to the first-year of your policy premium. Protectivity reserves the right to amend or withdraw this offer at any time. Available to UK residents only.
¹Based on live Feefo data