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Security and cleaning contractors
Door supervision and event security firms need public liability that clearly covers assault allegations and the use of force, plus employers’ liability for staff hurt on duty. Most claims against door teams start with a confrontation, and some liability wordings restrict assault unless it is added back.
Part of: Security company insurance
In short
Door staff at licensed premises need an SIA door supervisor licence whether they are contracted or in-house, and the Licensing Act 2003 makes that a mandatory condition where a premises licence requires door staff. Claims usually follow ejections, refused entry, searches and crowd incidents, and allege assault, injury or false imprisonment. Check that your public liability covers the reasonable use of force, that wrongful arrest is included, and that limits match what venues and event organisers ask for. Martyn’s Law will add new duties for larger venues and events once it comes into force, with the SIA as regulator.
The SIA’s guidance on licences for event work says a door supervisor licence is needed where someone provides a physical presence to guard against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour at licensed premises while they are open to the public, alcohol is supplied or regulated entertainment is provided. That applies to in-house staff as well as contractors.
The Licensing Act 2003, section 21 backs this up: where a premises licence requires individuals to be present for a security activity, the licence must include a condition that each of them is licensed by the SIA or otherwise entitled to carry out the activity.
Not every event role needs a licence. The SIA says unpaid volunteers, staff directing people to seats, toilets or first aid points, and people checking tickets or invitations are generally outside it. Once a ticket checker refuses entry or removes someone, a licence is needed. Mixing licensed and unlicensed staff on one gate is a common source of confusion, so brief your team on who may do what.
Door supervisors have no special powers. Any force used must be no more than reasonable in the circumstances, and an arrest in England and Wales relies on the citizen’s power in section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, which is limited to indictable offences and to situations where it is not reasonably practicable for a constable to make the arrest.
Claims typically allege that a customer was injured during an ejection, assaulted after being refused entry, or held against their will. Employers are commonly sued alongside, or instead of, the individual officer, and so is the venue.
Policy points that decide these claims:
Illustrative: a doorman removes an intoxicated customer, who falls on the steps and fractures a wrist. The customer claims against the venue and the security contractor. Body camera footage and a written incident report made that night are often what settles the question of reasonable force.
| What happens | Policy that usually responds | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Customer injured during an ejection | Public liability | Assault or deliberate act exclusions |
| Person detained for police then released | Wrongful arrest extension | Sub-limits and conditions |
| Door supervisor assaulted on duty | Employers’ liability | How self-employed staff are treated |
| Venue property damaged in a disturbance | Public liability | Excess and any contractual indemnity |
| Client claims for licence review costs after an incident | Usually not liability cover | Legal expenses or contract terms |
| Search procedure advice proves wrong | Professional indemnity | Whether advisory work is declared |
All cover is subject to the insurer’s acceptance and the policy terms. Wordings differ, so treat this as a starting point rather than a statement of what a specific policy does.
Pubs, clubs, hotels and event organisers usually send a supplier requirements schedule. Typical items are a public liability limit, evidence of employers’ liability, an indemnity for their losses arising from your services, being named as an indemnified party on your policy, and copies of SIA licences for every officer.
An indemnity clause can make you responsible for losses that would not otherwise be your legal liability. Policies commonly cover liability you would have had anyway, and may not cover the extra. Check before signing, and see our guides to venue hire insurance requirements, event organiser public liability and festival insurance. Venue operators can use the hospitality venues insurance checklist.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The Home Office factsheet sets a standard tier for premises where 200 to 799 people may be present and an enhanced tier for 800 or more, including qualifying events, with the SIA as regulator. The requirements are not yet in force, and the government expects an implementation period of at least 24 months.
The factsheet says the Act does not require physical alterations to premises or the purchase of equipment for standard tier procedures, and that the government intends those responsible to be able to comply without buying specialist services. Even so, venues are likely to lean on door teams for searching, evacuation and lockdown roles. If you write procedures or advise on measures, that is professional advice and should be declared to your insurer. Read Martyn’s Law for venues and event organisers insurance and Martyn’s Law.
Door supervisors face a real risk of violence at work. Employers’ liability is compulsory for most employers, and HSE guidance sets a minimum of £5 million, with fines of up to £2,500 a day for being uninsured. HSE says control over the work, not tax status, decides who counts as an employee, so self-employed door staff working to your rota and instructions may be treated as employees. A personal accident policy can add fixed benefits for injured staff regardless of fault.
Apex arranges insurance for security contractors, including door and event security, subject to the insurer’s acceptance and the policy terms. A broker reads each enquiry and comes back with options, and there is no fee for a quote. We need your business activities, turnover, location and claims history, plus the venues and events you cover, typical capacities, headcount and employment status, use of body-worn cameras, and the limits your contracts require. For the wider picture see security company insurance and SIA licensing and insurance.
Sometimes, but check the wording. Some public liability policies exclude assault or deliberate acts, while security policies commonly cover allegations arising from the reasonable use of force by staff. Wrongful arrest is often a separate extension with its own sub-limit. Ask your broker to confirm in writing how assault claims are treated.
Yes, at licensed premises. The SIA says the door supervisor licence requirement applies to in-house staff as well as contractors where they guard licensed premises while open to the public, alcohol is supplied or regulated entertainment is provided. Under the Licensing Act 2003, a premises licence requiring door staff must require them to be SIA licensed.
Not usually for stewarding duties such as directing people to seats, toilets or first aid points, or for checking tickets. The SIA says a licence is needed once someone refuses entry or removes people, or provides a guarding presence at licensed premises. Unpaid volunteers are generally exempt.
The Home Office factsheet says the government intends those responsible to be able to comply without buying specialist services, and that standard tier procedures need no physical alterations or equipment. The duties are not yet in force, with an implementation period of at least 24 months from Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. Venues may still ask door teams to deliver parts of their procedures.
It varies by venue and event, and is set in each contract or supplier schedule. The SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme guidance says the SIA will consider whether a business holds at least £5 million of public and employers’ liability, and many venues ask for that or more. Check the requirement before quoting for the work.
Tell us what your business does, your turnover and any claims. A broker reads every enquiry and comes back with options. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.
Start a commercial enquiry Request a callbackApex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information, not advice on your individual circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.
