Liability Insurance

Your best defence against a compensation culture

Liability Insurance

It’s the worst-case scenario every company fears. If a compensation claim goes to court and the payout is high, something as trivial as tripping over an exposed cable or slipping on a wet floor can bankrupt a business without the right insurance in place.

What is Liability Insurance?

Liability Insurance provides financial protection when someone tries to claim compensation from your business. This type of policy usually combines Employers’ Liability Insurance with Public Liability Insurance. You may also need Products Liability Insurance – or specialist cover that’s tailored to your line of work.

“Although it isn’t a legal requirement in the UK, certain professions will be required by their regulators to have Liability Insurance. It’s also advisable if your business is operating in the public domain. For example, if you receive visitors at your premises or you operate in and around the general public, there’s a risk that someone may injure themselves or property might be damaged as a result of your activity.”

– Ben Butler, Liability Insurance specialist at Macbeth

Question about Liability Insurance?
Talk to one of the Macbeth team

Reading 0118 916 5480
Marlow 01628 532 613

How Liability Insurance protects you

If your business is accused of causing death, injury or damage to property, it’s likely you’ll face a substantial compensation claim. With Liability Insurance your insurer will pay the compensation (up to the cover limit) – or defend the claim if they feel you’re not legally liable.

In today’s litigious society, running a successful business brings a range of risks – and this is where Liability Insurance comes into play.

Employers’ Liability Insurance

You’re covered for compensation claims made by past and present employees
Public Liability Insurance

For claims made by anyone outside your company, from customers and suppliers to visitors and passers-by
Products Liability Insurance

Your cover can also include your legal responsibility to ensure a product you design, manufacture or sell doesn’t injure someone or damage their property
Airside Liability Insurance

If your business works at an airport, you may need a much higher level of liability cover
Specialist Liability Insurance

For high-risk occupations like roofing, scaffolding and recycling, and for companies in sectors ranging from security and cleaning to recruitment and medical device production

Why you should consider Liability Insurance

Current Health & Safety legislation makes Employers’ Liability Insurance compulsory for most companies. Fines for failing to comply with the law can be as much as £2,500 a day.
Public Liability Insurance may also be compulsory for some professions, and it’s often a contractual requirement – so not having it can put you at a commercial disadvantage.
As well as covering the legal costs involved in defending a claim plus the compensation awarded to the claimant, Public Liability Insurance includes any costs the NHS might claim for ambulance call outs and hospital treatment.
It’s reassuring to know that an insurer will fight your corner if you’re not liable – and that your legal costs are covered even if the claim against you is found to be false.
Arranging Liability Insurance can be a minefield. To ensure you have adequate cover, we’ll help you establish who’s considered to be an employee in the eyes of the law, how much your cover limit should be, and how to deal with complex issues such as US exports.