Business resources

Does public liability insurance cover employees?

Last updated
March 19, 2025

Contents

Public liability insurance doesn't cover claims made by employees. It's designed to cover compensation claims made by a third party - for example a client, a customer, a supplier, or another member of the public - because they've been injured or their property's been damaged by your business.

If you’re in the process of setting up a business in the UK, or have recently started a business, you’ll want to make sure you’re aware of the different types of insurance you’ll need to protect yourself and your employees. One of the most important types of insurance for businesses is public liability insurance, but does public liability insurance cover employees?

Public liability insurance is a type of insurance that provides protection for businesses from claims made by members of the public for injury or damage to property. It’s a legal requirement for businesses in the UK to have public liability insurance, and it’s important to understand exactly what it covers and how it can help protect your business.

So, does public liability insurance cover employees? In short, the answer is no. Public liability insurance does not cover employees, as it is designed to protect businesses from claims made by members of the public. This means that if an employee were to suffer an injury or damage to property while at work, the business would not be covered by public liability insurance.

However, there are other types of insurance that businesses in the UK can take out to protect their employees. Employers’ liability insurance is a type of insurance that is designed to cover businesses for claims made by employees for injury or damage to property while at work. This type of insurance is also a legal requirement for businesses in the UK, and it’s important to make sure you have the right level of cover for your business.

It’s also worth noting that public liability insurance does not cover any claims made by customers or members of the public for breach of contract or negligence. This means that if a customer or member of the public were to suffer an injury or damage to property as a result of a breach of contract or negligence on the part of the business, the business would not be covered by public liability insurance.

In addition to public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance, there are other types of insurance that businesses in the UK can take out to protect themselves and their employees. Professional indemnity insurance is a type of insurance that covers businesses for claims made by customers or members of the public for professional negligence or errors or omissions. This type of insurance is particularly important for businesses that provide professional services, such as legal or financial advice.

It’s important to make sure you have the right level of insurance for your business, and it’s worth speaking to a specialist insurance broker who can advise you on the different types of insurance available and the level of cover you need for your business.

In conclusion, public liability insurance does not cover employees, as it is designed to protect businesses from claims made by members of the public. However, there are other types of insurance that businesses in the UK can take out to protect their employees, such as employers’ liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. It’s important to make sure you have the right level of insurance for your business, and it’s worth speaking to a specialist insurance broker who can advise you on the different types of insurance available and the level of cover you need for your business.

Employee public liability insurance help
Small business accountants
Speak to a small business accountant

Free 20 minute accounting support to discus your business insurance needs.

Take home pay calculator

Business Insurance Guide
Free download
Business Insurance Guide

This is our ultimate business insurance guide. We help walk through the specific business insurance elements you may need to consider for your business as well as relevant partner offers.

Email address:

Thank you for downloading our free guide. We've sent you an email with your guide!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Read more of our free business resource guides

Small business accountantsEmployee public liability insurance help
Speak to a small business accountant

Free 20 minute accounting support to discus your business insurance needs.