Compare Public Liability Insurance NI

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What is public liability insurance NI?

Public liability NI or Northern Ireland protects your business against third party claim. PL insurance protects you against compensation claims and associated legal costs that are directed at you or your business. If you or your business are subsequently found liable, the PL insurance will pay the compensation awarded to the third party. These awards are often substantial, and the level of cover offered normally ranges from £1 million to £10 million.

In addition to giving financial loss protection for any damages awarded against you, your employees or your business, PL will also provide cover for:

  • Legal fees 
  • Hospital treatment, including ambulance costs, that the NHS may claim from you
  • Costs and Expenses

Public liability cover NI is available for all business types including private hire drivers, market stalls, shops, pubs, restaurants and food trucks. Self-employed public liability is also available if you work as a tradesman, photographer or hairdresser to provide some examples. This for many business operators is a must-have type of insurance and should be considered for any job that puts you in contact with third parties in the course of your working day.   

When you run a business you want to make sure you’re protected against public liability claims.

If you are a business owner in Northern Ireland, you should give serious consideration to protecting you and your business against third party claims from the public. These type of claims can be genuine or fraudulent, but if found liable, the pay-out amounts can be sizeable.

Cover for all types of businesses, including:

  • Restaurants
  • Shops and Craft Stalls
  • Motor trade businesses, example car valet and detailing.
  • Landlords
  • Pubs
  • Taxi and Private Hire Drivers
  • Owners of Takeaways
  • Bed and Breakfast & AIRBNB

Did you know? Public liability insurance will protect your business against many types of claims from members of the public.

Is public liability insurance Northern Ireland a legal requirement

Having PL insurance is not a legal requirement, but as previously mentioned the level of damages that can awarded to the third party are far from insignificant, and it is for this very reason that this type of cover should be given serious consideration to any new or existing business that deals with a third party.

Often, NI businesses that outsource work will make it a stipulation that applicants must have public liability cover in place before bidding for their contracts.

Public liability insurance cost

The average annual business insurance NI cost for public liability typically ranges from £120 to £150. The actual cost will be determined by the level of cover required and the risk that you pose to the NI insurance broker. 

Public liability (PL)Levels of Cover Available
(PL)£1,000,000
(PL)£2,000,000
(PL)£5,000,000
(PL)£10,000,000
Main Types of LiabilityDescription
Public LiabilityProtection from claims made by a third party (employees, clients, customers, shareholders, investors, or members of the public)
Product Liability
Employers’ liabilityIf you have employees, you are required by law to have this cover – covers the cost of compensating employees who are injured at or become ill through work
Professional indemnity.

Reducing risk of public liability claims

  • Improve Safety : Whilst you will naturally take steps to make sure your business is safe for the public and your employees, consider taking additional steps to further improve safety and the risk of injury claims. 
  • Train your employees well : If you interface with the public, it is vital to train your staff on good work practice that will not only provide a better service, but also reduce any risk to members of the public.  This is particularly true for any businesses that require employees that are skilled and experience i.e. truck drivers, mechanics, tradesmen etc

Will public liability insurance protect my business

Public liability NI is suitable for any business that deals with a third party directly or even indirectly. For example, you may run your business that does not interface with clients on the premises, but if you visit a client you become open to third party claims. Public liability insurance is available for all professions and trades, with public liability for courier workers always in high demand,   

What factors affect the cost of my public liability insurance?

Many factors contribute to your final quote for public liability insurance, often referred to as business insurance NI. Some of the more obvious include how many years your business has been operating and the number of claims made during that time. The actual business type is also signifiant, some business have a greater risk profile. For example, a hairdresser will have a higher risk profile massage therapist or a counsellor.  Find out by spending a few minutes to complete one easy form.

What public liability insurance does not cover

Public liability insurance is intended to provide cover to third parties only. As such, that will exclude you and any of your employees. If you have employees, you are required by law to have employee insurance. Public liability is aimed squarely at covering third parties only. For cover for your business, you need to look at a specific business insurance policy. This list below of what is not covered is not exhaustive, but just to emphasise that PL insurance does not provide cover for accidents to you or your staff and employees.

What other cover can I include under a public liability insurance Policy? 

Product Liability Cover

This is cover against selling products that subsequently cause damage to the buyer. Two typical examples are the customer becoming ill or the product causing damage to the customer's property. Please take note, you do not need to be the actual manufacture to be held accountable, simply selling it is sufficient ground for liability.

Professional Indemnity Cover

This type of cover is aimed at a business or service that provide advice to clients. If the client takes your advice and subsequently suffers a loss or claims are made against the client as a result of following your advice, this type of cover provides protections.

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