Public liability cover: when the public is hurt by your business

Who it suits

It suits any business the public walks into or that works on other people's property: shops, restaurants, salons, venues, tradespeople and contractors, manufacturers with visitors, and mobile businesses that operate at clients' homes. Landlords and shopping centres usually require it in the lease, and larger clients require it in their contracts before a contractor is allowed on site. A home-based business with no visitors carries less risk and pays less; a plumber on the road all day carries more than an office. It does not cover injury to your own employees, which is a separate compulsory scheme, or claims about your advice, which is professional liability.

What the insurer will ask, and why

These are the questions on our form for public liability, with what the insurer does with each answer. Nothing here is optional guesswork: every question exists because a licensed insurer needs it to quote.

What best describes your business?

Occupancy class is the primary rating factor for public liability.

Where do you operate from?

Premises type affects exposure and access control.

Annual turnover

Turnover is a standard rating base for liability limits.

Number of employees

Employee count is a secondary exposure indicator.

How many members of the public visit or interact with your business?

Footfall directly drives claims frequency exposure.

Cover limit you're after

Sets the sum insured for quoting.

Have you had a public liability claim in the last 5 years?

Claims history is a key rating and referral trigger.

Do you already have public liability cover?

Distinguishes new business from renewal/switch leads.

Business name

Your role

Decision-maker signal.

Questions people ask