Buying liability insurance via the internet is just as easy as arranging any other insurance policy online. Using a price comparison website is a good place to start, as it will give an excellent indication of premiums, depending on the required level of cover.

Once a suitable policy has been found that matches the individual’s specific requirements then it is simply a matter of filling in the online form and sending it to the relevant company. The chosen insurer may contact the prospective policyholder by phone to discuss the policy options or if the online form was detailed enough they may just forward the completed paperwork to be signed.

There is often a cooling off period with insurance policies, which means if the policyholder changes their mind or decides that the cover does not match their needs they have a limited time in which to cancel the policy with little or no penalty.

Having a policy is not compulsory, but is highly recommended and gives peace of mind, not only to the policyholder, but also to their potential clients.

Professional liability insurance, also known as professional indemnity insurance, is a type of liability insurance that provides cover for individuals and companies against any legal costs and damages awards, associated with negligence claims and civil lawsuits.   

This type of liability insurance is sometimes required by law, especially in the medical and legal professions.  In the medical world, professional liability insurance is known as medical malpractice insurance. 

Consultants, brokers and lawyers purchase coverage in the form of errors and omissions insurance, or E&O.  Many businesses that benefit from the advice or services of professional individuals and companies also require professional liability insurance under contract.  Others that typically purchase this type of liability policy include financial and accounting firms, maintenance and construction workers, and transport companies.  Some non-profit organisations and charities also hold this type of policy.  

Professional liability insurance coverage focuses mainly on any alleged failure to perform in a professional capacity by the policyholder, any kind of error or omission in the services provided by the policyholder, and any financial loss caused by the policyholder.  Sometimes legal defence costs are covered as well, particularly when legal actions turn out to be without merit.  Legal claims covered under this type of policy are typically not covered by other types of liability policies.  Common types of claims include negligence, misrepresentation, violation of good faith and fair dealing, and inaccurate advice.  Coverage does not extend to include criminal prosecution, and only the forms of legal liability enumerated in the policy are included in the coverage.

Employers’ liability insurance was made compulsory in the UK by an act of Parliament in 1969 for most businesses. It covers injuries or sickness to employees and the owners of a business. The type and size of the business usually determines the cost of the premium.

The law specifies that the insurance amount must be for £5 million but most insurers will issue cover for £10 million. It has to cover all the employees that work for a business anywhere in the UK. An employee is defined in several ways. If a person has a contract of service with a business, has income tax and national insurance deducted from the money paid to them, or a business has control of where, when and what type of work they do, then they are considered an employee.

There are some other legal issues that must be in place, and the Health & Safety Executive is in charge of overseeing these. The insurer has to be authorised. This usually entails membership of the Association of British Insurers. A copy of the insurance certificate has to be prominently displayed for employees to read. This could be a physical copy attached to a wall in the premises, or perhaps a specific page on the company’s intranet.

There are some exceptions such as when the business is not a limited company and there is only one employee or all the employees are close family members. If it is a limited company with just one employee who also happens to own over half the business then they too are exempt.

Public liability insurance is a form of insurance that will cover costs if your business is responsible for a member of the public incurring an injury to themselves, or damage to their property.  This type of insurance is aimed at business owners, property owners and people who employ staff that interact with the public in some way.  Usually such insurance will cover awards made by a court if you are found liable, along with legal fees and the associated expenses of bringing a case to court.  The insurance may also cover the legal fees of the people who were a victim of injury or property damage if you are found to be at fault.  Under certain circumstances, those found negligent may be required to make financial restitution to the National Health Service, or a private healthcare provider, if the claimant requires medical care.

There are many variables in an insurance policy and it is always a good idea to thoroughly read the insurance documents and take any queries up with your insurance provider if you are uncertain about the terms and conditions of your policy.  There are many businesses that are advised to take out this insurance, and in some cases there is even a legal requirement to have it in place.  Landlords in particular are strongly advised to invest in this type of insurance to make sure that they are covered in the event that one of their tenants has an accident.

Public liability insurance is not offered at a fixed rate and the cost of the insurance varies from business to business, dependant on circumstances.  The factors that influence the cost of the insurance include the size of your business, the number of employees, the turnover of your business and the nature of the business itself.  For example, if it is a routine part of your business for your employees to work in a hazardous environment, such as one with heavy machinery or an environment whereby hazardous chemicals are present, this will almost certainly increase the price of any insurance that you take out. 

Your history as an employer and as an insurance customer may also be taken into account, and previous claims may increase the price of any insurance cover.  The safety practices that your business observes may also be evaluated and used when deciding the price of your insurance.  The safety practices that you have put in place can also be important when it comes to negligence claims, and therefore some policies may be invalidated if a business fails to follow some of the safety procedures specified in the insurance documents.  It is always a good idea to thoroughly read through insurance documents to ensure that your business, property and staff comply with the conditions set out in the policy.  If you have any concerns or queries it is a good idea to contact the insurance provider.

The internet has made obtaining public liability insurance increasingly accessible.  With the help of price comparison sites and search engines, it is possible to compare prices and obtain liability insurance for very competitive prices.  These websites, such as Coverzones and Swinton, offer cover for most types of business.  However for more unique or complex businesses, you may be better suited to a bespoke quote offered by specialist brokers.

Factors that may be taken into account by the insurance company when providing you with a quote for public liability insurance are the type of business and level of activity: for example this may be the amount of cases taken on by a law firm, or the capacity of a venue.  Another example would be the value of the services provided by a wedding planner.

It is often a good idea to seek advice before you take out a policy, as there may be many risks that you have not considered – local insurance brokers can be very helpful for this.  Once you have obtained advice and know more about the risks you face and the insurance products that would suit you, it is a good idea to shop around and take advantage of price comparison sites to ensure that you are being offered good value for money.  Alternatively, you should seek advice from more than one insurance broker.  You would not purchase car insurance or home insurance without obtaining more than one quote, and this case is no different.

Employees are often at risk of hurting themselves in accidents at work.  Thanks to employers’ liability insurance, employees do not have to worry about paying for damages that occur due to the negligence or harm of their employer.  Also known as EL insurance, employers’ liability insurance helps a business pay for legal costs and damages that are the employer’s fault.  Additionally, employers’ liability insurance pays for hospital treatment for employees that are hurt on the job.

Businesses have a legal obligation to carry EL insurance.  They must carry EL insurance, and the business must be insured for a minimum of £5 million.  However, this number is on the low end; the majority of EL insurance providers provide at least £10 million in coverage for employees located in the whole of the United Kingdom.

There are some exceptions to the requirement for EL insurance.  When a business is not a limited company, it may not have to carry EL insurance.  That business does not have to carry EL insurance if there is only one employee or if the employees are close family members.  Even if companies that fall into this group do not have to have EL insurance, many still choose to have it.

Since businesses are legally required to carry EL insurance, there are consequences for not having EL insurance.  A business is liable for fines of up to £2,500 per day for each day that EL insurance is not provided.  Therefore, it is very important for business owners to set up EL insurance in a timely manner.