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Picture this.
You’re a plumber working on a routine job, replacing a loose fitting under a customer’s kitchen sink. It’s straightforward work - you’ve done hundreds just like it. The customer stays nearby while you tighten everything up and test the water flow.
A few hours after you leave, the fitting unexpectedly fails. Water leaks across the kitchen floor, damaging units, flooring and electrical appliances.
You get a call: your customer wants the work fixing immediately, you turn up on site but the damage caused and the work required to fix the issue is too vast and outside of your skill set.
It's a horrible moment and they're now seeking legal action to recover the cost of the damage. You're going to need to make a claim on your insurance.
Incidents like this can have serious financial consequences. Even the smallest mistake during your business activities can escalate into costly repair bills, compensation claims and legal expenses. That’s where Public Liability Insurance becomes essential.
Here’s exactly how it works.
What is Public Liability Insurance?
Public Liability Insurance from Rhino Trade Insurance helps protect tradespeople in the UK if their work accidentally causes injury to a member of the public or damage to their property.
It helps cover the cost of compensation, repairs and legal defence. For many contractors - including those operating as a limited company - clients, local authorities and trade bodies may require it before work begins. In some sectors, it’s considered a requirement to operate professionally and safely.
Why choose Rhino?
Rhino specialises in trade insurance - it’s what we do.
While some insurers offer a wide mix of unrelated products, we focus solely on the needs of tradespeople. That means clear documentation, fair pricing, real customer support and responsive claims handling.
We’ve helped thousands of UK trades protect their businesses with straightforward policy wording and tailored types of cover built specifically for their trade.
You can see what our customers think by reading their verified Rhino Trade Insurance reviews here.
What does Public Liability Insurance cover?
Accidents can happen to anyone - even the most experienced tradesperson. Public liability insurance protects you if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your work. It gives you confidence on every job by helping you manage risk and unexpected incidents.
Public liability insurance can help to:
Cover compensation payments
Pay for property repairs
Handle legal fees and legal expenses
Protect your business if a customer takes legal action
Examples include:
A customer tripping over your tools or equipment
Accidental damage to walls, floors or fixtures
A member of the public being injured near your workspace
What public liability insurance doesn’t cover
Employee injuries (you’ll need employer’s liability insurance)
Damage to your own tools, equipment or vehicles
Damage caused outside of your agreed work area
Manufacturing or product-related claims (you may need product liability insurance)
Many businesses choose to take out both public liability and employers liability cover to stay fully protected.
Why do I need Public Liability Insurance?
Accidents don’t care how experienced you are. Even a moment’s distraction can create an incident that costs thousands.
Having public liability insurance in place ensures a single mistake doesn’t become a financial disaster. Without it, claims could lead to cancelled projects, reputational damage, court proceedings or even business closure. With the right types of cover, you protect your income, reassure customers and meet expectations set by clients, contractors and trade organisations.
Insurance also strengthens your business reputation
Customers naturally favour tradespeople who hold the correct cover. Being insured signals professionalism, responsibility and trustworthiness. In many cases, customers won’t hire a tradesperson who doesn’t have public liability insurance in place.
Some accreditations and contracts require it
Certain industry bodies, accreditations and large contracts require proof of a specific level of cover before you can begin working. Without insurance, you may be unable to win or retain valuable work.
How much does Public Liability Insurance cost?
At Rhino, prices start from £5.21 per month. Your final quote depends on:
Your trade
The risks involved in your day-to-day work
Whether you’re a sole trader or limited company
Your annual turnover
Where you carry out your work
These details help us determine the right level of cover for your business. The ideal amount varies depending on the size of your projects, client requirements and the type of work you carry out.
How much cover do I need?
Every trade is different, and your level of cover should reflect the risks involved in your work. Here’s how to decide:
1. Assess your risks
Consider the typical work you do, the environments you work in and the maximum potential cost of damages if something went wrong.
2. Request a tailored quote
Rhino’s online system helps you select the right cover for your business. Once you’ve entered your details, you’ll instantly receive your price.
3. Complete your purchase online
Public liability insurance is just a few clicks away. Simply head to our quote page and follow the quick step-by-step process - you can purchase your cover yourself right there and then.
If you would rather speak to someone, you can call us on 0116 243 7904 and we’ll be happy to help.
If you get stuck, a member of our team will be in touch to guide you through.
How do I make a claim
If you’ve damaged property you’re working on or a third party has been injured and you need to make a claim on your insurance, don’t panic - that’s exactly why your cover is in place.
Usually, an issue will arise before a legal threat is made and customers often try to resolve the matter directly with you first.
Regardless, you should report any claim or even a potential claim as soon as possible.
For full details on who to contact and what to do next, just head to our Claims page.
Rhino has supported tradespeople for years and built a strong reputation within the trade community - just take a look at our reviews. Whether you’re dealing with an issue right now or planning ahead to protect your business, our team is here to help.
Final thoughts
Rhino has supported UK trades with reliable, affordable protection for years - from public liability insurance and employers liability cover to trade-specific add-ons.
Don’t wait until a costly accident happens. Protect your business with the right types of cover, the right level of cover and support from a specialist insurer that understands your trade.
If you need help choosing the right policy, our team is ready to guide you through your options.
Public Liability Insurance FAQs
Public Liability Insurance covers you if a member of the public is injured, or property is damaged, as a result of your work. If a claim is made against you, it covers the legal costs and any compensation you're found liable to pay up to your chosen level of cover.
It covers accidental injury to third parties and accidental damage to third-party property that happens in connection with your work. So if a customer trips over your equipment on site, or you accidentally put a drill through a pipe causing a flood at a client's property, your Public Liability Insurance protects you up to your chosen limit of indemnity.
Public Liability Insurance doesn't cover injury claims made against you by your own employees - that's what Employers' Liability Insurance is for. It also doesn't cover damage to your own tools or equipment, professional advice you give (that's covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance), or any deliberate acts. Your policy schedule will set out the full list of exclusions specific to your cover.
There's no law that says every self-employed person must have it, but in practice, most tradespeople can't work without it. Clients, main contractors, local authorities and housing associations will typically ask to see your certificate before you set foot on site. Some contracts make it a condition of working. Even if no one asks, one claim without cover could leave you personally liable for costs that could seriously affect your business.
Whilst here at Rhino, we wish it was! Public Liability Insurance isn't a legal requirement, unlike Employers' Liability Insurance. However, certain sectors and client types do make it a contractual requirement. Gas Safe registered engineers, for example, need it as part of their registration. And many local councils and commercial clients won't allow work to begin without a valid certificate. It's worth checking the requirements of any contract before you start.
Whilst not a legal requirement, if you work alone, there's no employer standing between you and a claim. You're personally responsible for anything that goes wrong on a job, which means a single incident could affect your personal finances as well as your business. Public Liability Insurance means you're not carrying that risk alone.
Absolutely. Public Liability Insurance is available to the self-employed, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. Here at Rhino, it's the cover we specialise in for tradespeople. You can get a quote here.
Your premium depends on your trade, your annual turnover, the level of cover you choose and whether you employ anyone. For sole traders in lower-risk trades, cover can start from just a few pounds a week. The quickest way to find out is to get a quote.
Rhino offers cover between £1 million, £2 million and £5 million. The right level depends on the size of your contracts, the type of work you do and what your clients require. Some contracts, particularly with commercial clients or local authorities, specify a minimum level of cover, so it's worth checking before you quote for a job. If you're unsure, our team is happy to talk it through.
By clicking here! Choose your trade, tell us a bit about your business and pick your cover level. If your cover starts that day, you'll have your certificate straight away. For higher-risk trades or more complex setups, our team can talk through your options by phone.
In most cases, yes. Liability insurance - including public liability and employer’s liability insurance - is usually tax deductible as an allowable business expense. It’s a standard part of running a compliant and professional business.
Public Liability Insurance covers physical harm - someone gets hurt, or something gets damaged as a result of your work. Professional Indemnity Insurance covers the advice, designs or recommendations you give. So if a client claims your professional guidance caused them a financial loss, Professional Indemnity Insurance responds. Some trades need both. If you offer any kind of design, specification or consultancy alongside your practical work, it's worth considering both types of cover.
