Help protect your small business from everyday risks with public liability cover

As a small business owner, you have a lot to protect, including your income, tools, and the reputation you've built. If a customer or member of the public makes a claim against you and you don't have suitable protection, you could face significant financial and legal consequences that can seriously impact your business.

That's why public liability insurance is an important consideration. While it's not a legal requirement, it helps protect businesses and individuals against claims from third parties for injuries or property damage caused by your business activities.

Public liability insurance for many types of small businesses

Regardless of the services you offer, public liability insurance can be useful protection for anyone whose work involves interacting with customers, clients or members of the public.

At Gallagher, we can provide public liability insurance for a wide range of trades, which you can view in the list below. If you can't see yours, get in touch and speak to a member of our team.

  • Sole traders
  • Restaurant, shop or café owners
  • Builders
  • Fitness instructors and personal trainers
  • Hairdressers and barbers
  • Plumbers, electricians and carpenters
  • IT consultants
  • Accountants
  • Gardeners
  • Cleaners

Public liability insurance for small businesses from Gallagher

Whether you're a sole trader, shop owner or own a café, there's always the risk of a third-party (i.e. a member of the public) making a claim against you. If they do, a suitable public liability policy will help cover associated costs, including legal fees, repairing or replacing damaged property and medical costs. What can be covered by a public liability insurance policy:

Third-party injury

Cover for compensation claims if a third party, such as a customer, supplier or member of the public, injures themselves due to an incident related to your business. For instance, if a customer slips on a wet floor in a shop and sustains an injury, this cover could help manage any financial and legal ramifications.

Third-party property damage

Protection if you cause accidental damage to someone else's property while carrying out your work. For instance, if a contractor damaged a client's furniture while working on their premises, this cover can help cover repairs or replacements.

This can cover immediate medical expenses for third parties who’re injured on your premises or because of your business activities. It can help with costs such as ambulance fees or urgent first aid, ensuring the injured person receives prompt care while reducing the financial pressure on your business.

If a third party is awarded compensation for injury or property damage caused by your business, this cover helps meet those payments. For instance, if a customer suffers a broken arm due to negligence, the policy can help cover the compensation owed, offering protection for your business from significant financial strain.

If your business hosts or participates in public events, this cover helps protect you against liability claims as a result of incidents that may occur during fairs, exhibitions or conferences. For example, if a visitor trips over loose cables at your event and files a claim, the policy can help manage the costs and implications of the incident.

These are brief product descriptions only. Please refer to the policy documentation paying particular attention to the terms and conditions, exclusions, warranties, subjectivities, excesses and any endorsements.

Why choose Gallagher

As one of the leading global insurance brokers with decades of experience, we understand the diverse needs you have as a small business owner. That's why we take the time to get to know your business in detail, including the specific risks you face day to day.

Once we understand the level of protection you require, we can arrange a suitable policy from our panel of insurers. You can then choose flexible cover that reflects how your business operates, helping to give peace of mind that you have cover when it matters most.

Public Liability Insurance for Small Businesses

  • Solutions for businesses of all sizes
  • Robust protection in the event of a claim
  • Specialist cover for you and your business
  • A dedicated team experienced in insurance solutions

Small business public liability insurance: Frequently asked questions

Please note that these frequently asked questions are not a substitute for the policy wording. For full terms and conditions please see the policy documentation.

  • Gallagher SME Team

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