Category: Public Liability

Demand for liability insurance increases

Leading liability insurance comparison website CompareCrazy.com are reporting an increase in people choosing self employment or contracting as UK economy feels effect of government cut backs.  More people are both choosing, and being forced due to economic conditions to set up a limited company and work for themselves. The alternative is finding a job in the incredibly difficult jobs market.

With so many cuts to the benefits of so called ‘jobs for life’ such as the end of final salary pension schemes, the loss of golden handshakes (many people are lucky to get anything more than statutory redundancy), downsizing and pay freezes, it’s not surprising that so many people are choosing to take matters into their own hands and go it alone.

The news follows years of government initiatives to simplify the process of setting up a business such as being able to form a limited company within three hours (actual time inputting the details is just 5 minutes), opening a business bank account in a week, and VAT registration in 2-3 weeks which used to take up to 8. Tax issues, although still complex are easily manageable with the help of a good accountant.

If you have recently set up a business you can compare the cost of Public liability insurance, Directors and officers insurance and Professional indemnity insurance online in minutes at CompareCrazy.com

Residential Management Co Directors urged to buy liability insurance

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance a must. Even most careful Director can make decisions (in good faith) which prove later to be ill-judged or flawed. However, ignorance is no defence in UK law.

Directors and Officers of all companies, including Residential Management Companies, should be aware that they could potentially face unlimited personal liability without the kind of protection offered by this type of very affordable cover.

Although one typically holds one’s position as a director or officer on a voluntary basis, for no benefit to yourself, the law recognises no difference between people running a Residents’ Management Company and those running a large Public Company. Directors can be held personally liable for the consequences of their actions, errors and omissions.

Managing a building is a time consuming task, even with the assistance of professional property managers, and anyone prepared to put in the time and effort deserves a minimum of the reasonable protection afforded by this insurance.

What could go wrong?

  • A director could be held liable because the value of another lessee’s flat had fallen due to the effects of a failure to identify and rectify external dilapidation.
  • A lessee might hold a director responsible for the poor workmanship of contractors paid for out of the service charge Fund.
  • A third party might sue as the result of a defamatory remark inadvertently made by someone in the capacity of director.

It could prove difficult or even impossible to recruit suitably skilled and experienced people as directors of a residents’ management company because they are unwilling to accept the potential personal liability.

Cover is provided for breach of duty, trust or contract, neglectful, misleading statement, wrongful trading or wrongful acts or omissions.

What is covered?

  • Legal defence costs
  • Consequential loss
  • Damages awarded against a director
  • Out of Court settlements
  • Claimants costs and expenses
  • Legal advice
  • Legal representation

Public Liability Insurance FAQ’s

Compare Public Liability Insurance

Compare Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance covers costs relating to injury or property damage caused to the public that are deemed to be the responsibility of your business or staff members.

The cost of public liability insurance can vary from business to business. Most will take into account the size of your business, in terms of employees and/or turnover. It’s also common for a company to take into account any previous claims you have made (or incidents where you would have made a claim if covered). In some cases, there will be specific adjustments to the premium based on the safety practices you follow in your business.

You will need to check the terms and conditions of your policy carefully as in most cases acts of negligence on your company’s part may limit or invalidate the protection which insurance gives you.

Is public liability insurance compulsory?

In most cases public liability insurance is a voluntary measure. In practice, though, you will often find that suppliers and customers won’t deal with you unless you have adequate cover.

One example is live events such as entertainment or sport, where most venues will demand you have public liability insurance. This is to make sure that in the event of an audience member being injured, the claim can be dealt with by the company running the event, drastically reducing the chance of action against the venue.

There are certain types of business where public liability insurance is mandatory. Generally these include businesses where the service offered to customers involves inherent dangers such as extreme sports.

Do self-employed people need public liability insurance?

A self-employed person, particularly one who works from home, is less likely to need this cover. The question to consider is where your work-related actions pose a risk of causing injury to others. If clients visit your office or home, you may want to look into cover in case they are injured on your premises.

Compare public liability insurance quotes

Thanks to the internet, it is now possible to compare multiple policies and providers of public liability insurance in much the same a way to car and home insurance.

Although the choice of insurance companies is more limited, online business comparison sites such as CompareCrazy.com allow visitors to compare public liability insurance in minutes.

Public Liability Insurance six figure claims

Compare Public Liability Insurance

Compare Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance covers damages and compensation payouts in the event that businesses have caused damages/injuries sustained on their property that they are negligent for. This also covers any damage caused to an individuals’ property as a result of the incident.

It is not a legal requirement for businesses to have Public Liability Insurance, but most are expected to have at least £2million of cover per annum. As a rule, public liability claims can tend to be high with many cases around six-figure sums, and as such it is extremely important for businesses to have cover otherwise the costs can prohibit company growth.

Typical public liability insurance claims

  • Injury caused by uneven pavements, footpaths, roads and walkways, steps and stairs.
  • Slip, trip or fall anywhere
  • Injuries due to objects falling from above whilst on public property.

With many solicitors interested to represent claims of this nature and the on a “no win, no fee” service to it is essential that all businesses maintain a suitable level of public liability insurance.

With such high potential payouts many business may think that Public Liability Insurance was hugely expensive. However with a competitive marketplace, brokers hungry for your business premiums can be surprisingly low.

Businesses can save even more by comparing public liability insurance online at CompareCrazy.com – complete one simple public liability insurance form online and receive quotes from leading liability insurance brokers straight into your inbox.

£20million sofa liability

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Compare Employers liability insurance

The High Court in London approved a swift payout settlement between the victims and insurers of the shops that sold the Chinese-made furniture which left many buyers complaining of burns.

The victims’ conditions were found to stem from the chemical DMF (dimethyl fumarate) which had been used in the production of several models of sofa.

A group action was launched against three retailers of the furniture – Argos, Homebase and Walmsleys – all of whom admitted liability.

Solicitor Richard Langton, of Russell Jones and Walker led the group litigation against the retailers, said after the hearing that claimants could expect to receive between £1,250 and £10,000 depending on their circumstances.

Liability insurance should the worst happen

  • Employers Liability Insurance Required by law and it covers personal injuries sustained in the course of their employment by your employees.
  • Public Liability Insurance This covers injury to a member of the public or damage to their property caused by you or your business. Premiums depend on the type of business you run, your turnover and the number of employees you have.
  • Products Liability Insurance If you supply a product you are legally responsible for any damage or injury that the product you supply may cause. Products Liability will cover you against any compensation awarded as a result of damage or injury caused by your product.
  • Directors & Officers Liability Insurance A policy that protects officers and directors of a corporation from liability in the event of a claim or lawsuit against them claiming wrongdoing in connection with the company’s business.

Liability insurance is essential for any business today with personal injury and group action claims running into millions. Liability insurance an essential business expense that you can buy for less when you compare liability insurance quotes online at CompareCrazy.com