Information Density: Hiscox UK – Signal Evidence & AI Readability

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Helping you stay one step ahead

What are you looking for?

What are you looking for?

[H4] Why choose Hiscox
At Hiscox, we offer tailored insurance solutions to help you across all areas of your life, from business to home. With over 100 years of industry experience and the expertise of our brokers, we’ve fine-tuned our insurance products to provide the essential cover when things don’t go exactly to plan. For businesses, our specialised covers include public liability and professional indemnity cover to ensure the smooth running of your operations. Landlords benefit from buildings, property owners’ liability, and loss of rental income or alternative accommodation insurance as standard, plus optional extras. We’ll also protect you at home, with home insurance that protects your house and its contents in the case of damage or theft.For brokers looking to create more bespoke covers, our underwriters work closely with insurance brokers across the UK to ensure the best possible level of cover for your clients.

[H6] Immediate insurance coverage

Get your tailored quote online today and you'll receive your proof of insurance in minutes.

[H6] Policies tailored to protect you

We'll build you a bespoke policy for the unique risks you face, whether at home, at work or further afield.

[H6] Award-winning claims service

Make a claim with our award-winning specialists, get peace of mind when you need it most.

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Business insurance

Choose from a range of commercial covers and find the policy which offers the best protection. Whether you’re a consultant based at home or an SME with multiple offices, you’ll find business insurance from Hiscox is designed to cover your specialist needs.

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[H2] Public liability
Public liability insurance acts to protect businesses from claims made against them by clients or members of the public. Should your business activities result in accidental injury or property damage, the right level of liability insurance could prove essential.More on public liability insurance
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[H2] Professional indemnity
Professional indemnity insurance can help protect your business if a client claims there's a problem with the work you’ve done for them. It can cover your costs if you need to pay compensation to correct a mistake or settle a claim, and covers the cost of your legal defence.More on professional indemnity insurance
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[H2] Insurance by trade
Hiscox offer specialised policies so we can offer the best protection against risks faced across different industries; from retail and shop insurance to charity insurance, cover for tradesmen, tailored insurance for sole traders and the self employed, and many other professions besides.Find the right cover your business.

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Landlords insurance

Landlords insurance can protect you and your tenants against unexpected incidents. It includes buildings insurance, property owners’ liability, and loss of rental income or alternative accommodation cover as standard. We offer multi-property cover for a portfolio of up to 10 under a single policy. You can also choose from optional extras to tailor protection to your unique needs.

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[H2] Landlords buildings insurance
Landlords buildings insurance can protect the physical structure of your rental property against loss or damage from risks such as fire, flood, or subsidence. This type of insurance can cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding your property if such incidents occur.Learn more about landlords buildings insurance.
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[H2] Landlords liability insurance
Landlords liability insurance, also called property owners’ liability insurance, covers you when you have to pay compensation to a third party for accidental injury to them, or damage to their property because of your ownership of, or legal responsibility for, the insured property.Learn more about landlords liability insurance.
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[H2] Landlords loss of rent insurance
Loss of rent insurance can offer financial security by covering lost income if unexpected incidents such as fire or flood make your rental property unhabitable. It can help you manage risks by covering income lost during repairs and restoration.Learn more about landlords loss of rent insurance.

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Home insurance

Our home insurance is flexible and adaptable, with contents and buildings insurance available as two separate policies or as a combined package. Find out more about our five-star Defaqto rated home insurance policies and get cover for your individual needs and circumstances.

[H6] Contents insurance

With worldwide coverage for up to 90 days, dedicated claims handlers, and accidental damage cover as standard, you'll understand why our contents insurance is award-winning.

More on contents insurance

[H6] Buildings insurance

Buildings cover is provided as part of a Hiscox Buildings and Contents Insurance policy. Within Hiscox Buildings and Contents Insurance we provide unlimited cover for buildings, which means we’ll pay whatever it costs to replace what’s lost or damaged.

More on buildings insurance

[H6] Listed buildings & high value homes

We've developed a specialised branch of buildings insurance for listed properties, assisting you with preserving the building’s historical significance. For homes with high net worth too, our high value home insurance is there to protect your belongings against the greater risk of theft.

More on listed building insurance

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I have been relying on Hiscox for some years, and as always they have delivered. Quick, easy, each step well explained, and I know I have good coverage. They are awesome!
Tech Marionette Limited
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Broker centre

Hiscox are a leading specialist insurer underwriting a range of commercial and personal lines risks. We pride ourselves on the relationships we have with our brokers. A relationship built on the integrity of the work that we do, and the expertise that our brokers are able to bring us. Together, we are able to develop an understanding of your clients to create bespoke insurance solutions to meet their needs.
Find out more about our products

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[H5] Business blog
The Hiscox small business knowledge centre, providing practical guides and insights for business owners. Whether you're looking for support as a fledgling business or information on the risks specific to your industry, we have the resources you need.
Read more on our business blog
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[H5] Home cover stories
Find expert advice for your valued home in the Hiscox home insurance blog. We help home-owners across the UK protect and enhance their property with guides, inspiration, and thought provoking pieces on everything from art collections to property extensions.
Read more on our home blog
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[H5] Business FAQs
Your business insurance questions answered by the experts. Our FAQ Hub enables you to find out about the insurance options for your business and get a better understanding of your policy needs before you apply for commercial cover.
Visit our insurance FAQ hub

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We’re here to help

At Hiscox we do everything we can to provide fair treatment to our customers. If you feel you need any further support, our friendly and knowledgeable team are here to help.

Supporting additional requirements
If you have any additional requirements, from alternative formats to a preferred way of speaking with us, please let us know. We can provide documents in braille, large print or audio format. We can also supply them on different coloured paper.
Contact us today

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How can we help you?

[H4] Financial support
With increases in the cost of living, many people are seeing their finances come under pressure. If you’re experiencing difficulties, we may be able to help.Find out more

[H4] Coping with major life changes
Dealing with one of life’s serious events, like bereavement, divorce or separation, can be upsetting, and often overwhelming. Let us know and we will discuss options of how to change your policy, to ensure a difficult time is as painless as it can be.Find out more

[H4] Support with mental health issues
Mental health is extremely important to wellbeing. We’ll do what we can to help. We can also suggest organisations that can provide support.Find out more

[H4] Protection from fraud and scams
Scammers are employing ever more sophisticated ways to steal personal information and money. Our tips and advice can help protect you from becoming a victim of fraud.Find out more

[H4] Dealing with domestic and economic abuse
Domestic and economic abuse can impact all ages, leaving you feeling isolated, lacking confidence and trapped. If you’re suffering from this type of abuse, we’ll do our best to help.Find out more

[H4] Useful links
There are many organisations out there which can offer support and advice for free. If you're experiencing difficulties, these organisations may be able to help.Find out more

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Contact us

If you know which specific team you need to speak to, visit our Contact section to speak to the team you need.Contact us

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Complaints

If you need to make a complaint, you can contact us in one of the following ways:In writing:Hiscox Customer RelationsThe Hiscox BuildingPeasholme GreenYorkYO1 7PRBy phone: 0800 116 4627 or 01904 681 198By email: [email protected]Please ensure you provide the following information in your correspondence:Your policy number and/or claim reference number (if you have one)Your full name, address and telephone numberDetails of any previous correspondence you’ve had with usDetails of your problem or complaintWe will try to give you an answer there and then, but if this is not possible we will take full details from you and arrange for the problem to be investigated.Find out more about complaints

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Search

Type in keywords to find answers to your questions.

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Business insurance

Buy insurance with Hiscox to join over 460,000 businesses* UK-based small businesses like yours. Do you run a consultancy firm? An architect's studio? Maybe you have a hair salon, or work freelance. Either way, business insurance lets you stay focused on your work, without worrying about unexpected costs. Get a quote tailored to your business’ needs in minutes. Online quote in 5 minutesGet a quote
[H2] Why choose Hiscox to protect your business?
1Flexible cover from £7.20 a month*Our small business insurance quotes start low. Build tailored cover with us.*Figures based on an average of all business insurance policies sold to at least 10% of our customer base between April 2025 and April 20262Wider business support Get access to the Business Support Hub and Hiscox Risk Academy.3Award-winning serviceWe're proud winners of the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award in 2024.

Not sure what you need?
Let us show you how we can help protect your business

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What is business insurance?

Business insurance is a type of cover that can protect UK firms against losses. It helps to safeguard small businesses against compensation claims and legal costs. Your policy can counter risks that come with business activity. It’s also known as commercial insurance.With Hiscox, there are a few types to choose from. They can help small businesses like limited companies and sole traders. The major insurance types include: Professional indemnity insurancePublic liability insuranceEmployers’ liability insuranceCyber insuranceProperty insurance, such as business contents.Tailored business insurance policies can prepare you for the unexpected. For example, data loss, compensation claims or specialist equipment damage. The right cover can help to manage costs. Sometimes, there’s also hands-on support.

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Do I need business insurance?

Business insurance is available for any company that provides a service. If this is you, there might be a risk of claims and lawsuits.Some industry bodies also set out insurance requirements.You might need business insurance in the UK if you are a:Limited companySelf-employed professionalStart-upSole traderFreelancerHome businessMicro businessSmall to medium-sized enterprise (SME).You could be a firm with a 100-strong headcount, or a team of one. A part-timer, or a family business. When judging your business insurance needs, think about:
[H3] Laws and contracts
UK companies that employ staff may need to have employers’ liability insurance. The rules are set out in law.Other policies, such as public liability, offer extra reassurance. At times, a contract or council may ask for them.
[H3] Business risks
You may find your business needs insurance to deal with the unexpected. For example:Slips and tripsWorkplace illnessService complaintsNegligence claimsOffice theftFloodingHacking eventsBreaking copyright.Even if you aren’t at fault, costs can add up. For example, you may need to cover legal fees.A business insurance policy can offer support.

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Seamless process. Thank you for the services which you provide. I will definitely recommend Hiscox to other small business owners.
Trusted Customer
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Hiscox is rated 4.8/5 on Feefo. This comes from real customer reviews in the past year. In all, we have 3844 reviews.

Get a quote for your business in minutes
Tell us about your business. We’ll build your quote and explore insurance needs.
Build my cover

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Who we cover

Hiscox offers specialist insurance to a wide range of industry sectors. We cover over 460,000 businesses* in the UK.Do you trade with tools? Maybe you provide specialist services. Our business insurance can support many UK firms.Plumbers and carpenters can benefit from our products. As can software developers and marketing and media agencies.We even create customised small business insurance for specialist areas. This applies to: Environmental consultantsEducation and training businessesAdvertising and creative professionals.*based on the number of policies sold in 2025.

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Business insurance for your profession

With Hiscox, business insurance quote can be tailored to your profession.

[H3] Insurance for contractors

Business insurance can help to defend a wide range of contractors against business risks.

Learn more about contractors’ insurance

[H3] Insurance for shops

Various types of shops can benefit from our business insurance.

Learn more about shops’ insurance

[H3] Insurance for tradesmen

The right insurance could safeguard tradesmen in their day-to-day work.

Learn more about tradesmen’s insurance

[H3] Insurance for education and training firms

Working with people leaves education firms open to risks. Insurance can help.

Learn more about coaching, training and education insurance

[H3] Insurance for digital marketing businesses

Business insurance could protect your digital marketing agency.

Learn more about digital marketers’ insurance

[H3] Insurance for accountants

Working with finances can create risk for accountants. Business insurance can help.

Learn more about accountants' insurance

[H3] Insurance for HR consultants

The right insurance cover could support your work with people and projects.

Learn more about HR consultants' insurance

[H3] Insurance for IT consultants

You work with systems and software. Should things go wrong, insurance can help.

Learn more about IT consultants’ insurance

[H3] Insurance for management consultants

Business insurance could protect your consultancy. Whether you're in strategy or logistics.

Learn more about management consultants’ insurance

Get the right cover
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Types of business insurance cover

Professional indemnityProfessional indemnity insurance is there to help if you have been negligent. Or if you’re simply accused of it. It can step in if a client believes you got something wrong that lost them money. We’ll be there to help with damages and legal fees so you can focus on running your business.Learn more about professional indemnity insurance. Public liabilityThis helps protect your business if someone claims you caused property damage. It can also help with claims from the public of illness or injury because of your work. Whatever you do for a living, accidents happen. If a customer or courier makes a claim, this insurance policy covers court fees and damages.Learn more about public liability insurance. Product liabilityYou can buy product liability insurance with your public liability cover. This supports your business if a product causes injury, illness or damage. Insurance can help if you design, produce, make, repair, alter or supply a product.Learn more about product liability insurance. Employers’ liabilityThis may be a requirement under UK law. It protects you if an employee is injured on your premises. Or if they become ill and say it’s because of work. You might need cover for full-time employees, part-time staff, volunteers and helpers. This policy helps with the costs of defending or settling a legal claim. Learn more about employers’ liability insurance. Cyber and dataIf you’re hacked, it can cost money to put things right. That’s what our cyber cover is for. It can also help with data breaches and crime. Some firms can add optional cyber business interruption insurance. Depending on your turnover, this may help with costs if your business can't run because of a cyber event.Learn more about cyber insurance. Personal accidentIn a micro-business, you might not have a rainy-day fund. In a start-up, you may rely on key people. That’s where personal accident insurance can help. If you or a named employee can’t work due to an accidental injury, we’ll provide up to £250 per week. If a serious accident affects your livelihood, this type of cover can pay a lump sum. Learn more about personal accident insurance.Hiscox can also provide covers such as: Legal protection insurance Management liability insuranceBusiness contents insuranceCommercial property insuranceProperty away and in transit insuranceEquipment breakdown insuranceProfessional, treatment and public liability insuranceBusiness interruption insuranceTaking out specialist insurance may be a good idea in some fields. Find out more about what we cover.

Get an online quote for your business in minutes
We can build your business insurance quote. Explore your cover requirements.
Build my cover

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How business insurance works

1Tell us about your unique business Start with your sector to see what you can add. We’ll ask for details like your business name and its annual turnover, plus an overview of your employees.2Tailor your insurance by choosing policies  Include the products you want and avoid those you don’t. You’re in control.3Get your quote and documentsGenerate a quote in minutes, online or by phone. Buy your cover and get documents by email. Inclusions and exclusions vary by product type. See your policy documents for full details.Ready to learn more? Speak to our customer services team for further policy details.You can contact us:By phoneBy live chat.

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Why Hiscox business insurance?

Why choose Hiscox? Because when things go wrong, we put them right. We’re the small business insurance experts. We know how hard you work to build your business. And we help you protect your good name.Innovation and service are central to what we do, as seen with our CyberClear Academy. We provide an award-winning service too. We’re proud winners of the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award in 2023. This independent seal of excellence comes from real customers.With Hiscox business insurance, you get a:Range of cover limits Specialist claims team on hand.Thanks to all this, you can rest assured you’ve got the right cover in place. But don’t just take our word for it – check out our reviews and ratings on Feefo (external link).View our business insurance reviews page to see how our customers feel about working with us. We know that with the right insurance, your business can flourish. Even when there’s a challenge. Get an online business insurance quote. Find out how Hiscox commercial cover can keep your empire healthy.Have a question? There are a range of ways to contact us for business insurance guidance.

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Business insurance FAQs

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Is business insurance a legal requirement in the UK?

Some types of business insurance are required under UK law. As such, many companies might need employers’ liability cover. While others may not be a legal requirement, they are a safeguard. For example, public liability insurance. Horse riding firms may need this by law (external link). For others, this cover can help protect against costly claims. It’s a safety net.

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How much does business insurance cost?

The total cost of your business insurance policy depends on:The type of cover you needThe value of that coverRisks specific to your company or industry.With Hiscox, small business insurance quotes start from £7.20 per month*. Find out more about the cost of business insurance.*Figures based on an average of all business insurance policies sold to at least 10% of our customer base between April 2025 and April 2026.

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Can I get business insurance before registering my business?

Yes. You can get business insurance before you register your limited company. This means you can get full protection from day one. When you set up a new business, buying insurance might be one of the first things you do. This helps make sure any property, IT systems and liabilities are taken care of.

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How long is a quote valid for?

An online Hiscox business insurance quote can be saved for later. You’ll just need to create an account and log in to retrieve it. Quotes are valid for 45 days. If you aren’t ready to buy cover just yet, opt for us to stay in touch. We’ll keep you updated with the latest products, price points and special offers.

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Can I get business insurance without a trade licence?

Yes. It is possible to take out business insurance before you receive your trade licence. This offers the reassurance that you’re covered as soon as you launch your business. However, note that your policy might be invalid if you start trading before this arrives. It could mean claims aren’t paid.

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What are some real-life examples of Hiscox business insurance claims?

We’ve helped with cases like: The software professional accused of sub-standard development workThe wildlife photographer whose kit was stolen by baboons.Read through our business insurance claims stories to get a clearer picture.

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How can I pay for business insurance?

Pay for Hiscox business insurance by:Debit cardMonthly direct debitAnnual direct debit.You can cancel any time with no fees.

Read more business insurance FAQsBusiness interruption and Covid-19 FAQs

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Related articles and guides

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[H4] How to start a business
Running a business takes guts. It’s a thrilling ride, with ups and downs. Read our guide to starting a business to set the wheels in motion.

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[H4] ‘Claims made’ vs ‘claims occurring’
Business insurance policies can be written on two bases. Read our guide to understanding insurance terms to go beyond the jargon.

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[H4] What type of business insurance does a sole trader need?
Preparing to go it alone? Learn about insurance for the self-employed before you get started.

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[H4] Small business guide to cyber-attacks
Don’t know what an SQL injection is? Or how to spot phishing? Some SME and micro-business owners don’t. Our FAQ guide to cyber-attacks runs through the basics.

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[H4] What is the Employers’ Liability Act?
Learn more about what the Employers’ Liability Act is and how it may affect the business insurance you take out.

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[H4] What is a business asset?
When you set up a business, you may gather items to help you operationally over time. Learn what a business asset is with the help of Hiscox.

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Public liability insurance

Get public liability insurance from £5.20* per month. If you run a business, people can take you to court to claim for injury or damage to their property. This insurance can guard against such claims.  Online quote in 5 minutesGet a quote *Figures based on an average of all public liability policies sold to at least 10% of our customer base between April 2025 and April 2026
[H2] Why choose Hiscox for your public liability insurance?
1Flexible cover from £5.20 a month*Our public liability insurance starts at £5.20 a month and we’ll work with you to find the right cover. *Figures based on an average of all public liability policies sold to at least 10% of our customer base between April 2025 and April 20262Award-winning serviceHiscox is a proud winner of the Feefo Platinum Service Award in 2025, Hiscox earned a 4.8/5 rating from real customers on Feefo, based on 3844 reviews over the past year.3Cover for multiple spaces and tradesOur public liability insurance can cover you if you work from your own home or business premises, or at your clients’ or customers' premises.

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What is public liability insurance?

Public liability is a type of business insurance designed to cover compensation and legal defence costs. If a member of the public claims they have been injured because of your work, public liability cover can help. The same applies if they claim their property was damaged as a result of your activities.  This cover can help shield your business against unforeseen costs. It applies whether an incident occurs on your premises or when you or your staff are out and about.  Even when you do everything right, accidents can happen. Any business can face compensation claims and related legal fees. Whether you’re a freelance professional, a sole trader using tools, or running a small business or start-up, the right cover can protect your business. Products liability insurance is normally included in this cover. This can help if you are subject to a claim relating to a product you supply, maintain, or sell.For more information, you can read our guide: What is public liability insurance?

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What's included in your public liability cover?

Public liability insurance covers a wide range of unexpected events. Choosing the right insurance can help you plan for key risks.   Public liability insurance can be useful if a client or member of the public takes legal action against your business for injury to them or damage to their property. This may include anyone who doesn’t work for your business, such as a visitor, customer, or supplier.   This includes claims relating to products your company supplied, distributed, modified, or sold. Products liability can help cover this and is normally included with your public liability insurance. Our public liability policy provides cover if:Someone is injured or becomes ill and blames you, your employees, or your business activities.There’s damage to a member of the public’s property because of your business.A courier leaves a building you own in a hurry and slips on the stairs.One of your employees causes damage to property at an off-site meeting.A third party makes a claim relating to trespass, nuisance, false arrest, or eviction.You require representation at any official investigation, inquiry, disciplinary, or criminal proceeding, provided you seek our prior agreement to cover any costs.You, your directors, or employees are required to attend court as a witness in connection with a claim. You can receive up to £10,000 in compensation.

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What does public liability insurance not cover?

Public liability insurance does not cover:  Injury to your employees or damage to your own property. For these, employers' liability insurance or business contents insurance may be useful.Costs related to recalling, removing, repairing, reconditioning, or replacing a product you supplied.Losses dependent on contractual terms, where you wouldn’t bear responsibility without these.Claims related to any cyber attack or transmission of a computer virus. Our cyber insurance could help in this case.  Professional advice you provide. For this, professional indemnity insurance could help.Asbestos-related claims.  Deliberate or reckless acts you commit. Please refer to the policy documents for the full terms of this cover, including inclusions and exclusions. Policy documents are available when purchasing online. You can also contact our customer service team for more information.

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Do I need public liability insurance?

Public liability insurance isn’t usually a legal requirement in the UK, but it's often considered an important option.  Every trade comes with its own set of risks. If you work around members of the public, public liability cover can help protect against related risks. It might be that your staff work off-site, you’re a tradesman, or customers visit your premises. In all these situations, injuries or property damage could result in a claim.   For instance, if you own an office, a passer-by could claim a falling sign injured them. Someone might slip on winter ice that wasn’t properly cleared. Visitors to your hair salon or shop might slip on a wet floor. Alternatively, you could break something while painting a staircase. Gardeners in busy parks and plumbers who work in homes can both face costly claims. Even if you’re a freelance wedding planner, meetings and events can come with risks. The more contact your business has with third parties, the more chance there is of a claim against you. Your clients may require you to hold public liability insurance as a condition of their contract with you.  Some companies need short-period public liability insurance for events. In this case, you can enquire about special event insurance. This covers liabilities and event-specific risks.

Get your public liability quote in minutes
We cover a huge range of different business types and sizes. We’ll tailor your public liability cover quote to meet your needs.
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Public liability insurance for your profession

With Hiscox, public liability insurance can be tailored to your trade or profession.

[H3] Insurance for electricians

Public liability insurance can help defend electricians against a range of electrical and circumstantial risks. For example, if a member of the public is injured tripping over your tools, public liability can help cover legal defence costs and potential compensation.

Learn more about electricians’ insurance

[H3] Insurance for cleaners

Working with chemicals around expensive materials and objects can leave cleaners open to risks. If you accidentally spill bleach on a client's carpet, public liability insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacements, helping you get back to work swiftly.

Learn more about cleaners’ insurance

[H3] Insurance for plumbers

Working with water in clients’ homes can be risky. When helping to fit a kitchen, you may forget to fix the pipes together properly, causing a leak that damages your client's new flooring. Public liability insurance could help cover the costs if you're held legally liable.

Learn more about plumbers’ insurance

[H3] Insurance for carpenters

Public liability insurance could protect your carpentry business, whether conducting repairs in a customer's home or a public building. While fitting shelves in a client's airing cupboard, you slip and burst a water pipe, damaging the surrounding carpets and wallpaper. Public liability can help.

Learn more about carpenters' insurance

[H3] Insurance for shops

A range of shops could benefit from public liability cover, including high-street stores and other retailers. Having mopped up a spill, you forget to leave a wet floor sign out and a customer slips and injures their back. Public liability could help cover legal defence costs and compensation.

Learn more about shops' insurance

[H3] Insurance for painters and decorators

The right insurance could safeguard painters and decorators in their day-to-day work with the public. While you’re packing up for the day, a member of the public trips over the ladder you left in the pathway, injuring themselves. Public liability can help cover related legal defence costs and compensation.

Learn more about painters' and decorators' insurance

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What does public liability cover do?

Insurance for public liability helps cover legal defence costs and compensation if a client or member of the public makes a claim against your business. Anyone who works with people or other people’s property can face a claim.  If you’re a tradesperson, your work could cause damage to a client’s property. For example, if you’re a plumber and you do something that causes a burst pipe, the resulting leak could rot your customer’s floorboards. Public liability insurance can help cover the cost of a claim. Another situation could involve a client injury. For instance, if you’re an IT contractor visiting a client’s premises and you leave your equipment lying around, one of your client’s employees could trip and get injured. If you’re a professional gardener, someone might collide with a loose fence panel while you’re mid-job.  Whatever the case, the right insurance can provide support when you need it most. We can’t take away the headache of a claim, but we can help you cover the costs.  This type of cover can shield freelancers, sole traders, or small businesses. It offers protection against legal defence costs and compensation.

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Quick and simple business cover that perfectly fits our needs with the added bonus of being covered by a trusted insurer. Would definitely recommend.
Limelight Magazine Ltd
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How much public liability cover will I need?

The value of the public liability cover you’ll need depends on the costs that could arise from claims. This can include any illness, injuries, or damage that might occur because of the work you do. If you host client meetings, annual cover can be useful. However, it’s also possible to buy a policy for just one day, which can be ideal for a one-off event such as a trade fair. Working in a higher-risk field might mean you buy £10 million in cover. A hands-on trade or regular contact with people might put you in this category. In other cases, you might feel £5 million is enough. Get a public liability insurance quote online and we’ll help you choose the right policy for your needs. With our broad cover, you can focus on running your business.

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What other insurance can I get to protect my business?

With Hiscox, you can build your cover to protect against the specific risks facing your business. This can include covers such as:  Employers' liability insurance - which can protect you when an employee claims they have been injured or become ill as a result of their work for you, and may be legally required if you are an employer.Professional indemnity insurance - which can help protect your business against costs associated with defending or settling claims relating to professional negligence, errors, or omissions.Equipment breakdown insurance - which can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing business equipment that has suffered electrical or mechanical breakdown.  Portable equipment insurance - which can cover laptops, smartphones, and other specialist kit against theft, loss, and damage when you're out of the office.  Cyber and data insurance - which can help you get back up and running after a data breach, security failure, illegal threat, or cyber attack.

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What’s the difference between public liability insurance and other covers?

Distinguishing one business insurance cover from another can be confusing, but these comparisons can help you understand the unique risks each cover is designed to address.   At Hiscox, employers’ liability cover cannot be purchased separately, but public liability cover and professional indemnity cover are both available on their own.
[H3] Public liability vs employers’ liability
While public liability covers injury or property damage to third parties, such as clients and visitors, it does not typically cover claims made by your own employees. Employers’ liability can cover injury or illness claims made by employees due to work-related incidents. Employers' liability might also be legally required if you employ staff.Employers’ liability is not available on its own. It must be purchased with public liability insurance.  Learn more about the difference between public liability and employers’ liability insurance.
[H3] Public liability vs product liability
Hiscox public liability insurance is generally sold with products liability cover, but there are some important differences between the two. Public liability can cover incidents arising from your business activities, like someone slipping on a wet floor. Meanwhile, products liability covers harm caused by products you manufacture, sell, or supply, such as faulty appliances causing injury.  Learn more about the difference between public liability and product liability insurance.
[H3] Public liability vs professional indemnity insurance
While public liability can cover physical injury or property damage claims made by third parties, professional indemnity covers claims related to professional errors, negligence, and omissions.Learn more about the difference between public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

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Public liability FAQs

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When should I get public liability insurance?

Public liability claims can strike at any time. An insurance policy can offer your business protection against the unpredictable. If your small business deals with members of the public, you might need to consider cover. This can also apply if you’re a sole trader or freelancer meeting clients, even occasionally.

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How much does public liability insurance cost?

The cost of public liability insurance is determined by many factors. These include:The nature and size of your business.The limit of indemnity you decide to purchase.Any history of claims you might have.  Our public liability insurance starts at £5.20 per month* and we’ll work with you to find the right cover.  * Figures based on an average of all public liability policies sold to