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Public liability insurance

One slip shouldn't sink your business.

Cover for compensation claims if your work injures someone or damages their property.

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Provided byMarkel

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Online quote and buy, provided by Markel. No obligation.

What you get

  • A few questionsYour trade, your turnover, how many people work there
  • Your price on screenIncluding Insurance Premium Tax at 12%
  • Certificate by emailReady to send to whoever asked for it
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IGotCover introduces you to Markel. Markel runs the quote, sells the policy and underwrites it.

Fast, easy online quote in 90 seconds

If your work injures someone who isn't your employee, or damages their property, the policy can cover the compensation and the legal costs. Products liability is included, so a claim about something you sold sits on the same policy.

Subject to the policy terms, exclusions, your excess and the insurer's underwriting.

  1. Your workOn site, in someone's home, in your shop or at an event
  2. Something goes wrongA member of the public is injured or their property is damaged
  3. They claimAgainst your business, for compensation and costs
  4. The policy respondsCompensation and legal costs, up to your limit
A painter and decorator holding a paint roller, pausing mid-job

Who is it for?

Typically suitable for businesses whose activities bring them into contact with members of the public or their property. It isn't required by law, but sites, councils and clients often won't let you start without it.

Usually a fit

  • Trades working on sites or in customers' homes
  • Shops, salons, cafés and anywhere customers walk in
  • Market traders, mobile services and event businesses
  • Anyone whose client, site, council or landlord asks for a certificate
  • Businesses that supply or sell products, since products liability is included

What it doesn't do

  • Claims from your own staff. That's employers' liability, which you can add in the same quote
  • A client losing money because of your advice. That's professional indemnity
  • Your own tools, stock or premises. That's tools, contents or property cover

Cover, limits and exclusions are set by the policy wording. Read the documents before you buy.

Why businesses buy it

  • Claims can arrive months after the job

    A customer can claim long after you've finished and been paid. What counts is having cover in place when the work was done.

  • Legal costs mount even when you're not at fault

    Defending a claim costs money whatever the outcome. Subject to the policy terms and conditions, the policy may cover legal defence costs as well as compensation payments.

  • The certificate wins work

    Being able to send proof of cover the same day makes you the easy choice when a client is comparing quotes.

What to be aware of

  • Not a legal requirement. Employers' liability is the one most employers must hold by law.
  • The limit is the most the policy pays for one claim. Higher limits cost more.
  • An excess usually applies to each claim.
  • Faulty workmanship, contract works and professional advice are usually excluded.
  • Cover levels and exclusions vary by policy. Read the policy documents before you buy.

Pick your limit

The limit is the most a policy pays for one claim. This policy runs from £1m to £5m, and higher limits cost more. Check what your contracts ask for, then choose. We don't recommend a number, and you can change it at renewal.

£5m £2m £1m

Domestic work and small jobs

Low footfall, working alone, no site or council contracts.

COMMONLY ASKED FOR BY
  • Some domestic clients
  • Small venues and halls

Not sure? Check the contract in front of you. You can change your limit at renewal.

What it costs

Starting price

from£5a month

Available only for certain trades and business profiles. Individual premiums may be higher.

£1m of public liability, including products liability

Markel's indicative prices by trade
  • Carpenters from £8 a month
  • Builders from £10 a month

Markel's published price. The monthly figure is an average equivalent monthly of the annual premium. A higher first payment applies and individual premiums vary. Source: Markel Direct, September 2026. Only available for certain trades and risk profiles.

Every price in the quote includes Insurance Premium Tax at 12%.

An electrician holding a coil of cable and a cordless drill

How it works in practice

An illustrative example, not a real claim. Names and figures are invented to show the mechanics.

Sam, 34Sole trader painter and decorator. Works alone in customers' homes and on small commercial jobs.
The situation

Halfway through an exterior job a ladder slips and goes through the client's conservatory roof. The client wants the glass replaced and has cut their hand clearing up.

What it meant

Assuming the claim falls within the scope of cover, the insurer may deal with the client's claim for the damage and injury. Sam pays the excess and carries on trading rather than funding the repair and the compensation personally.

  • Limit£2m
  • Excess£250

Whether and how much a policy pays depends on the policy terms, the excess and the circumstances of the claim.

Who you're dealing with

Two parties, and it's worth knowing which is which.

  • Introduces you to MarkelIGotCover

    A trading name of Caspian Assured Ltd, authorised and regulated by the FCA. We explain the cover and point you to Markel's quote.

  • MarkelSells and underwrites the policyMarkel Direct

    The quote journey you're taken to, the policy you buy and the insurer named on your certificate. Markel Direct is a trading name of Markel International Insurance Company Limited. Claims are handled by Markel.

Protecting the people the business relies on

Public liability covers what your work does to other people. Business protection covers what happens if you or a key person can't work.

  • Directors

    Relevant life insurance

    Life cover for a director, paid for by the business.

    Explore
  • Key people

    Key person insurance

    A lump sum to the business if someone it depends on dies or is seriously ill.

    Explore
  • Ownership

    Shareholder protection

    Funds for the other owners to buy a shareholder's stake.

    Explore
  • Staff

    Employee benefits

    Cover arranged across your staff rather than one at a time.

    Explore

These are separate products, not part of the quote above. Advice is provided by IGotCover advisers. Cover is subject to eligibility, underwriting and the policy terms.

Common questions

Something not covered here? Email us at [email protected].

What will I be asked in the quote?

What your business does, your rough annual turnover, how many people work in the business including you, and whether you want tools, equipment or contents covered. Have those to hand and it takes a few minutes.

How much cover should I choose?

We don't give advice, so we won't tell you a number. The practical answer is to check what your contracts and clients ask for. £2m is a common starting point, and £5m is the highest this policy offers and what sites and council work usually ask for. You can change the limit at renewal.

Does it cover the quality of my work?

Usually not. Faulty workmanship and having to redo a job are typically excluded. Public liability is about injury and damage caused to third parties by your work, not the standard of the work itself. Check the policy wording.

Do the prices include tax?

Yes. Every price you see includes Insurance Premium Tax at 12%. The price you pay depends on your business, the limit you choose and the insurer's underwriting.

Get your certificate sorted today.

A few questions, your price, then documents by email. No obligation to buy.

Questions for us? Email [email protected]. Help with the quote itself is Markel's team on 0800 640 6600.

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Quote journey provided by Markel.

This page is information only and not personal advice. IGotCover is a trading name of Caspian Assured Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA reference [FRN]). Registered in England and Wales, company number 07011592. Registered office: Tower 12, Level 2, Bridge Street, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3BZ. IGotCover introduces customers to Markel for this product. It does not provide advice or a personal recommendation, and does not recommend a limit. You choose the cover and limits that suit your business.

The online quote-and-buy journey is provided by Markel. Markel Direct is a trading name of Markel International Insurance Company Limited, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Policies are underwritten by Markel International Insurance Company Limited. Prices include Insurance Premium Tax at 12%. Cover levels, limits and exclusions vary by policy and are subject to eligibility and underwriting. Read the policy documents before you buy. Last reviewed 14 September 2026.

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