Public Liability Insurance

From £6.07 a month*. Financial protection if your work causes injury to someone else or damage to their property.

  • Instant cover and downloadable certificate
  • No admin fees to make changes to your policy
  • Simple, straightforward claims process
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*£6.07 is the price for a Public Liability policy for a single carpenter with £1,000,000 worth of cover. It is the equivalent of £72.80 per year when paying for the policy in one annual payment. Your quote will be personalised to your requirements and will reflect the risks you need to be covered against. The price is correct as of 22 April 2026.

What is Public Liability Insurance?

Public liability insurance (often called PL insurance) protects your business if someone claims you’ve caused injury or property damage in the course of your work.

Put simply, if your work accidentally harms someone or damages something that doesn't belong to you, this cover can help.

This includes people outside your business, such as:

  • A customer
  • A homeowner
  • A contractor you're working alongside
  • A member of the public

Public Liability does not cover injury to you or your employees.

Cover applies to incidents that happen while you're carrying out your business activities during the period of insurance. For example:

  • A customer trips over your tools and gets injured.
  • You accidentally damage a customer's expensive flooring whilst carrying out work.

If a claim is made against you, public liability insurance can help cover compensation and legal costs.

> Public Liability Insurance Guide & Costs

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What does public liability insurance cover?

Public liability insurance helps cover the cost of compensation and legal expenses if your business is found legally responsible for injury or property damage.

It’s designed to protect you from the financial impact of claims made by members of the public.

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What’s included?
  • Compensation payments if someone suffers bodily injury connected to your business activities.
  • Property damage claims if you accidentally damage someone else's property.
  • Legal costs and defence costs for investigating and defending a covered claim.
  • Health and safety defence costs, including representation at inquests or defending certain prosecutions where an incident could lead to a covered claim.
  • Court attendance costs of £300 per day if we require you or your employee to attend court as a witness.

The costs of investigating and defending a claim are paid in addition to your selected limit of indemnity.

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What’s not included?
  • Injury to employees - this would require Employers' Liability insurance
  • Damage to your own property or equipment.
  • Deliberate or malicious acts.
  • Fines, penalties or criminal compensation.
  • Claims arising from communicable disease.
  • Claims connected to asbestos.

If your work is faulty, cove may apply to damage caused by the faulty work. However, the cost of redoing or rectifying the defective work itself is not covered.

This content has been created for general information purposes. To ensure you have the correct level of insurance please see our full policy wording.

Download full policy wording

Public liability vs employers' liability

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

Public liability insurance covers claims made by customers, clients or members of the public.

Employers’ liability insurance covers claims made by employees who suffer work-related injury or illness.

If you employ staff, employers’ liability insurance is legally required in most cases. Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement, but many businesses choose it to protect themselves from large, unexpected claims.

Public liability vs professional indemnity

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

Public liability insurance covers physical injury and property damage. For example:

  • A customer slips on a wet floor at your workspace and injures themselves.
  • You damage a client's furniture whilst working on-site.

Professional indemnity insurance covers financial loss caused by advice, design, or professional services. For example:

  • A client claims your advice caused them financial loss.
  • A design error leads to a costly project delay.

If your business provides advice, consultancy or design services, you may need both types of cover.

Who needs public liability insurance?

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

Public liability cover is commonly chosen by businesses that interact with customers or work at client premises. For example, if you:

  • Work at client premises
  • Have customers visit your premises
  • Work in public spaces
  • Carry out physical or hands-on work

Many clients, landlords, councils and event organisers require proof of PL insurance before allowing you to start work.

Here are some examples:

  • Builders: A passer-by trips over materials on site.
  • Cleaners: You accidentally damage a customer's flooring
  • Hairdressers: A client suffers minor injury during treatment
  • Gardeners: You damage a fence while using machinery

If your work brings you in contact with people or their property, it's worth considering public liability insurance.

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Is public liability insurance required by law?

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for every business.

However, many contracts, venues and commerical landlords require you to have it in place before you begin work.

Even where it isn't mandatory, a single claim could result in significant legal costs and compensation payments. Public liability cover gives you financial protection if the unexpected happens.

How much public liability insurance cover do I need?

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

The amount of public liability cover you need depends on the nature of your business and the risks involved. Typically, cover amounts range from £1 million to £10 million, with many small businesses opting for £2 million as a standard level of protection. 



However, higher-risk industries such as construction or tradespeople working on large contracts may require more.

Factors that influence how much cover you may need include:

  • The type of work you carry out
  • Where you work (public areas or client premises)
  • Contractual requirements
  • The size of your business
  • The number of people working under you
  • Your approach to risk

When you get a quote for public liability insurance, you'll be able to select the limit that suits your business.

> Get a quote

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Send an email anytime and we’ll respond within one working day

Email the team
Call us

9am to 8pm - Mon to Thurs
9am to 6pm - Friday

1pm to 5pm - Sunday

Call 020 3808 7099
Email us

Send an email anytime and we’ll respond within one working day

Email the team

How much does public liability insurance cost?

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

At Admiral Business, prices start from just £6.07* a month, making it an affordable option for businesses of all sizes.

The cost of public liability insurance can vary depending on factors like:

  • Your trade or occupation
  • Where you work
  • The limit of indemnity you choose
  • Number of employees
  • Your claims history
  • Business turnover (where relevant)

Getting a public liability insurance quote online takes minutes, and you can adjust cover levels to suit your needs.

Certificate of public liability insurance

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

A certificate of public liability insurance is proof that your cover is place. You may be asked to provide it by:

  • Clients
  • Contractors
  • Landlords
  • Event organisers
  • Local authorities

Once you buy public liability insurance with Admiral Business, your certificate is sent and available for you to download immediately.

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Making a claim with Admiral Business

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

If you need to make a public liability claim, you can get started by:

  1. Completing a Claims Form here.
  2. Send the completed form along with any relevant evidence to claims@admiralbusiness.com.
  3. We’ll keep you updated whilst your claim is reviewed.

You can also get in touch with our claims team with any queries by calling 020 3808 7099 or emailing us at claims@admiralbusiness.com.

Get a public liability insurance quote

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

Getting started is straightforward.

  1. Tell us about your business.
  2. Choose your cover level.
  3. Get your public liability insurance quote online and buy cover in minutes.

Your quote for public liability insurance is valid for 30 days.

You can get public liability insurance online today and receive your certificate immediately after purchase.

> Get a quote

What you need to get a quote

Almost every business should consider public liability insurance. Whether you’re a contractor working on third-party properties or a small business owner dealing with customers, it protects against unexpected claims.
Some key sectors that benefit from public liability insurance include:


  • Tradespeople
  • Freelancers
  • Consultants
  • Couriers

Without liability insurance, even minor incidents, like damaging a client’s property, could lead to costly claims and legal fees, putting your business at financial risk. Protect your livelihood and reputation with the right coverage for your needs.

Have the following details ready:

  • Business name and address
  • Description of your trade
  • Number of employees (full-time and part-time)
  • How long you've been operating
  • Contact details
  • Previous claims history

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Insurance built around the needs of the UK’s small businesses

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Flexible cover

Adjust your cover at anytime, without admin fees. As your business grows or changes, you can easily update your cover to match your needs.

No hidden fees

Pay how it suits you, monthly or annually. Plus no cancellation fees.

Simple claims process

Submit a claim online or give us a call. We'll handle the hard part, so you can get back to work, knowing your business is in safe hands.

Top-rated customer support

No long phone queues. No confusing jargon. Our South Wales-based team is dedicated to supporting you and is ready to answer any questions.

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Public liability FAQs