Public Liability Insurance for Business – If you’re running your own business, one of the risks you face is that someone could potentially come along and sue you because they’ve been injured by your business or property in some way. This can happen with no warning whatsoever, which means that you may be left without any money to pay them off – and this can have catastrophic consequences for your business, depending on how much the injured party asks for in compensation. This makes public liability insurance an essential part of any business’s budget, so read on to find out more about what it does and why it’s so important.
What is Public Liability Insurance?
There’s a reason that public liability insurance is so important: If you are sued due to a mishap on your property, resulting in injury or damage to another party’s property, you can be held liable. This insurance will pay any financial costs—such as court fees and settlements—related to such incidents. It also protects you if someone gets injured at your place of business (and they can prove it happened while they were there). Without the appropriate coverage, these types of incidents could potentially send your business into bankruptcy.
SEE: Principles Of Commercial Business Insurance
Does Every Business Need It?
A business insurance policy that covers your business’s liability can help to protect you against large financial losses and to limit your legal liabilities as a result of third-party claims. Whether or not you need public liability insurance is dependent on whether your business deals with customers or clients, as public liability insurance will only provide you with protection if a third party makes a claim against you. There are several different kinds of public liability policies available so it is important to read through product information carefully and assess how much cover each policy offers in relation to their price. For example, some policies might offer one million pounds worth of cover but charge high premiums whereas others may offer less but have lower premiums.
How Much Does It Cost?
There are a few different levels or types of public liability insurance available in Australia, each with its own unique set of benefits. One option is to go without and protect yourself against any potential lawsuits by holding assets over $1 million. The downside to holding assets is that, if you do get sued, you’ll be on your own and will likely have to use any assets you have saved up as a business owner in order to cover your legal fees and pay off any settlements that arise from your case. Going with public liability insurance can add an additional cost onto your balance sheet but it does provide peace of mind knowing that you won’t be left liable for someone else’s personal injury lawsuit if things don’t work out with them.
5 Easy Steps to Buying PLI
First, you’ll need to work out how much cover you want. There are three standard options: public liability insurance; employers’ liability insurance and employers’ (compulsory) liability insurance. Most businesses will find they only need public liability cover but if you have a bigger business with lots of employees, you may need to purchase both kinds. You’ll also need to look at how much cover is needed.
SEE: AXA Life Insurance USA – AXA Online App | AXA Life Insurance Customer Service
Top Things to Consider When Buying PLI
Although there are many companies offering public liability insurance, it’s important to make sure you have enough coverage. If your business is based in a home or office, it will be cheaper than if you run from rented premises. You should also check that your PLI policy covers all aspects of customer contact and not just when you have them in your physical location. For example, if your business is online and/or involves a telephone helpline, these activities must be covered by your insurance. Your policy must also cover any premises used by an employee or contractor who is an integral part of your business (such as an off-site warehouse). You should also find out how much personal property coverage is included on top of what’s provided by buildings and contents insurance.
When Should You Buy PLI?
If you run a business, and you’re concerned about having to pay out compensation in case one of your customers suffers an injury on your premises, it’s essential that you have public liability insurance. This type of insurance helps protect your business from costly claims arising from injury or damage, with all legal costs included. While there are different types of public liability policies available, some may only offer limited protection. Before choosing a policy check carefully to ensure it covers all your liabilities including accidental death and personal injury. To find out more about what public liability insurance covers and how much cover is appropriate for your business gets in touch with a specialist broker at Trusted Choice® today.
Types of Claims You May Need to Make Against Your PLI
You may need to make a claim on your PLI if someone suffers an injury as a result of something you have done. If a customer slips over in your store or somebody falls over one of your advertising signs, they could make a personal injury claim against you. You will be legally liable and could have to pay compensation – which is where PLI comes in. It will pay out if anyone makes a successful claim against you, up to its limit. For example, if your business property damage liability limit is £1m and somebody suffers serious injuries when one of your vehicles runs them over outside one of your premises, it would provide up to £1m compensation towards their medical bills, etc – even though their own insurance might only cover up to £100k.
SEE: Allainz Life Insurance USA – Why the Rich Need Allianz Life Insurance | Allianz Life Insurance Review
Does My Home Contents Policy Cover Me For Business Use Items?
While many property insurance policies can cover items that are used both at home and at work, there are some important exclusions. If you use your personal items for business purposes, it’s a good idea to double-check with your insurer to ensure you’re protected. For example, if you store large tools at home as part of your job as a plumber, and they cause damage in a fire, then your home contents policy may not cover them. You may need to look into public liability insurance instead.