Guide
Employers' liability: what the law requires
Why almost every UK employer must hold at least £5 million of cover, and what happens if you don't.
Read guideCompare public liability insurance
Protect your business against claims from customers, clients and members of the public. Compare UK public liability cover from £1m to £10m.
Compare public liability quotesReady to compare public liability insurance?
Run a full market comparison before you commit. It takes about five minutes and there's no obligation to apply.
How public liability insurance works
Public liability insurance covers the cost of claims made by members of the public — customers, clients or passers-by — who are injured or suffer property damage because of your business.
It's not a legal requirement in the UK, but many clients, landlords and trade bodies won't work with you without it, and a single claim can run into tens of thousands of pounds in compensation and legal costs.
Cover typically includes compensation payments, legal defence costs and costs awarded against you, up to the limit you choose — commonly £1 million, £2 million, £5 million or £10 million.
What affects the cost of public liability insurance
- Your trade and how much contact you have with the public
- Cover limit chosen — £1m, £2m, £5m or £10m
- Annual turnover
- Whether you work on client sites or the public visits yours
- Claims history
Why compare public liability insurance with us
Meets client contracts
Most contracts and trade bodies require at least £1m to £5m of cover.
Covers legal defence
Legal costs are covered even if a claim against you is unsuccessful.
Flexible limits
Choose from £1m up to £10m depending on your exposure.
Premiums by trade
Indicative annual premiums for £1m to £2m of public liability cover, excluding IPT.
| Trade | Typical limit | Annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance consultant | £1m | £45 - £90 |
| Hairdresser or barber | £1m | £90 - £180 |
| Electrician or plumber | £2m | £120 - £250 |
| Café or small retailer | £2m | £150 - £350 |
| Builder or general contractor | £5m | £250 - £600 |
Cover limit vs annual cost
How the cover limit typically changes the premium for a small trade business.
| Cover limit | Suits | Typical annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| £1 million | Sole traders, low-footfall trades | £45 - £150 |
| £2 million | Most small businesses and tradespeople | £90 - £300 |
| £5 million | Contractors, larger retail, catering | £200 - £550 |
| £10 million | Larger contracts, some public sector work | £350 - £900 |
Expert advice
Our team reviews UK commercial insurers, policy wordings and typical premiums throughout the year.
“Public liability is the policy most small businesses buy first, and rightly so — a single slip-and-fall claim can cost more than a decade of premiums.”
public liability insurance: pros and cons
Pros
- Protects against compensation claims that could otherwise be ruinous
- Often required to win client contracts or trade at events
- Covers legal costs even for unsuccessful claims
- Relatively low cost for the protection it provides
Cons
- Doesn't cover injuries to your own employees — that's employers' liability
- Doesn't cover faulty work or advice — that needs professional indemnity
- Premiums rise for higher-risk trades such as roofing or scaffolding
How to choose a public liability insurance policy
Cover limits and exclusions vary a lot between insurers. Check these points before you buy.
- 1
Check the limit your contracts require
Many clients specify a minimum, commonly £2m or £5m — buying under that limit means you can't take the work.
- 2
Confirm your trade is covered accurately
A tradesperson doing occasional work at height needs that declared, or a claim could be rejected.
- 3
Look at territorial cover
If you ever work outside the UK, check the policy extends there.
- 4
Bundle with employers' liability if you have staff
It's usually cheaper than buying the two policies separately.
Compare public liability insurance
See what's available for your business today. It takes just minutes.
How to compare public liability insurance
It takes a couple of minutes and there is no obligation to buy.
1. Tell us about your business
Trade, turnover, headcount and the cover limits you need.
2. See matched insurers
We shortlist UK insurers and brokers who actually cover your trade.
3. Compare the full policy
Premium, excess, cover limits and exclusions — not just the headline price.
4. Buy your cover
Most policies can be arranged online with your certificate issued the same day.
Things to watch out for
Public liability does not cover injuries to your own employees — you need employers' liability insurance for that, and it's a legal requirement.
Undeclared high-risk activities, such as working at height, are a common reason claims get rejected.
Some venues and event organisers require proof of cover before you're allowed to trade — check well in advance.
Our public liability insurance service
We compare public liability insurance from established UK insurers and brokers so you can see premiums, limits and exclusions side by side.
Comparing is free, and we will say plainly when your existing policy already looks like good value.
Getting started
1
Check your renewal date
Start comparing four to six weeks before renewal so you don't auto-renew onto a higher price.
2
Gather your claims history
Insurers will ask about claims from the last three to five years.
3
Confirm your cover limits
Contracts and clients often set minimum limits you must hold.
Why choose Grow Your Business?
Wide choice of providers
We compare a broad range of UK providers so you can find the option that actually fits how your business operates.
Exclusive offers
We work hard to bring you exclusive deals, switching incentives and cashback where they're available.
Simple and fast
It takes just a few minutes to compare with us — and the deal you find could be well below what you pay today.
Types of public liability insurance
The right policy depends on your trade, size and the contracts you work under.
Retail and hospitality PL
Covers slips, trips and falls involving customers on your premises.
Tradesperson PL
Covers damage or injury caused while working at a client's property.
Event and market trader PL
Short-term or one-off cover for markets, fairs and pop-up events.
Consultant and freelancer PL
Covers claims arising from meetings and site visits, often paired with professional indemnity.
Providers we compare
Logos are shown for identification. We are not affiliated with every insurer listed and do not compare the whole market.
Simply Business
AXA
Aviva
Hiscox
Zurich
Allianz
Superscript
Markel
Direct Line for BusinessComparing with us is a no-brainer
“A client wouldn't sign our contract without £5m of cover. Sorting it took ten minutes online.”
Marcus, electrician, Bristol
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Read guidepublic liability insurance FAQs
Is public liability insurance a legal requirement?
No, but many contracts, landlords and trade associations require you to hold it, often to a minimum limit such as £2m or £5m.
What cover limit do I need?
£1m to £2m suits most small businesses, but check any contracts you work under — some clients require £5m or £10m.
Does public liability cover my tools and equipment?
No. That's covered by tools or contents insurance. Public liability only covers third-party injury or property damage claims.
Can I get public liability for a single event?
Yes, many insurers offer short-term or one-off event cover for markets, fairs and pop-up trading.
Written by the Grow Your Business editorial team · Updated 26 July 2026