Public liability · Professional firms

Public liability insurance for professional firms

Professional firms — consultants, architects, engineers, agencies and advisers — carry public liability exposure whenever staff visit client sites or the public enters their premises, even where professional indemnity is the primary cover. Placing PL alongside PI leaves no gap between the two. PL protects businesses against third-party bodily injury or property damage claims — often the first cover a business needs.

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FCA directly authorised, FRN 724952
17 years in business
a named broker reads every submission.

Apex places business across 30+ markets and reports 95% client retention; both of those are firm-wide figures covering Apex’s business as a whole.

Reviewed by Apex Insurance Brokers · Published 15 July 2026

Who needs public liability

Retail shops, cafés and restaurants — customer accidents on premises.
Trades and contractors — damage to client property or third parties.
Event organisers — local festivals and event venues.
Landlords and property owners — visitor injuries.
Consultants visiting client premises.
Anyone the public physically interacts with.

Typical cover levels

£1 million — small trades, retail, low-risk consultancies.
£2 million — broad standard for shops, cafés, small events.
£5 million — larger trades, contractors, medium events, most corporate contracts.
£10 million — larger contractors, public-sector work, larger events.

Professional-firm considerations

Client-site visits and third-party injury.
Public access to offices and studios.
Contractual minimum PL limits.
Interaction with professional indemnity cover.
Event, site and conference attendance.

How PL interacts with other covers

PL is separate from employers' liability (EL) — both usually needed.
PL doesn't cover the insured's own property — that's property cover.
PL doesn't cover employees' injuries — that's EL (legally required).
PL doesn't cover professional advice failures — that's PI.
PL is often bundled with property in a combined commercial policy.

Frequently asked

Do professional firms need public liability as well as PI?

Not by law — but usually mandatory by contract for anyone working on client premises, and often mandatory for market or event permits.

What's the difference between PL and EL?

PL covers third parties (customers, visitors, public). EL covers employees — and is legally required if you have staff.

How much cover do I need?

£1-£2m for small operations; £5m for most trades and contractors; £10m for larger contracts.

Does PL cover my own tools and stock?

No — that's what property or contents insurance covers.

Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm reference number 724952. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. Trading address: QCS, 53 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol BS1 4HQ · Serving professional firms across the UK.

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