How much public liability insurance do I need?

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Hannah Taylor

Swoop made the entire funding process incredibly straightforward and stress-free. From the outset, the platform was easy to navigate and clearly designed with businesses in mind. The team took the time to understand our needs and presented funding options that were genuinely relevant, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. What really stood out was the level of support throughout the process. Communication was clear, responsive, and professional at every stage, and we felt well informed from initial enquiry through to completion. The expertise and transparency provided gave us real confidence in the decisions we were making. Overall, Swoop is an excellent solution for businesses looking to explore funding options efficiently and with expert guidance. I would highly recommend them to any business seeking a reliable, knowledgeable, and customer-focused funding partner.

Jan 23, 2026

Michael

A user friendly and intuitive platform that did not make the process onerous. Also Ikrah Ramzan, the Asset Finance Funding Manager was helpful, engaging, and supportive through the process.

Jan 20, 2026

Paul Brogan

Great service nice people pleasure to work with, highly recommend them

Jan 16, 2026

Peps Cafe

Very good customer service 👏

Dec 13, 2025

Rachel Martin

Working with the team at Swoop Finance has been genuinely brilliant, both as a partner and as an accountant, recommending them to clients. Their platform makes the funding process feel clear and accessible, and their team really take the time to understand each business before suggesting options. I’ve referred several clients through Swoop this year - from start-ups to established companies and each one has come back saying how seamless and supportive the experience was. From my side, collaborating with Swoop has been effortless. They genuinely care about helping business owners grow sustainably, and their communication and professionalism make them a standout partner in the finance space. Great for accountants looking to add value to their clients and for business owners looking to explore funding with confidence.

Dec 12, 2025

Taz Allinson

Working with Swoop has been brilliant. They’ve been a great brand to collaborate with behind the scenes, and our clients are already feeding back positive results after using Swoop to access funding for their businesses. Highly recommend!

Dec 9, 2025

Frank Coelho

Fantastic tool for business owners. It simplifies the funding landscape and brings everything into one dashboard. I was able to see my options quickly without the usual hassle. Very impressed with the service.

Dec 5, 2025

BuildBright Contractors

We recently worked with Swoop Funding to help finance our new van purchases, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. The process was smooth, transparent, and far easier than we ever expected. A special shout-out goes to Ikrah, who was absolutely fantastic throughout. She was proactive, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive—always quick to respond, always clear in her explanations, and genuinely committed to finding the best possible solution for us. Her professionalism and friendly approach made the entire journey not just stress-free, but genuinely enjoyable. Thanks to Swoop—and especially Ikrah—we were able to secure the right funding quickly and confidently. We couldn’t be happier with the service and highly recommend them to anyone looking for business finance done right.

Nov 18, 2025

Claudia Mirabela Costea

A bit late with my feedback but I want to recognise how supportive swoop has been with assisting me to find the best funding for my tiny business.In a world full of possibilities it is rare to find people to help you explore the right paths for your needs.I want to also recognise Daniel M. On this ocassion as he was very professional and prompt to get involved and emailed me all the resources I needed

Oct 19, 2025

Todd Holden

Swoop have been nothing short of excellent. From sign-up to installation, the whole experience has been great. I can’t recommend them highly enough. There’s no more lag when streaming, and the service has been so good that I’ve also switched my business internet to Swoop. I’m really glad to now be on FTTP- previously, I was using wireless 5G for home and FTTN for the business, and neither came close to the speed and reliability we have now

Oct 15, 2025

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Page written by Chris Godfrey. Last reviewed on August 27, 2025. Next review due April 6, 2027.

The amount of public liability insurance (PL) you need depends on the industry you work in and the size of your business. In most cases, the bigger your business is, the bigger potential claims may be. (Keep in mind that a claim for personal injury or property damage will usually be increased by legal fees and claims for medical treatment and loss of income).

Clearly, you do not want to buy far more insurance than you need. But, if you work with government departments or local councils, you should consider a policy of up to £5million, although minimum cover levels typically start at around £1million, which is more suitable for small businesses, sole traders, and organisations that have less contact with the public.

If you’re still not sure how much PL you need, base your calculations on the following:

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The level of risk

If your business has high exposure to members of the public, there is an increased risk of compensation claims. Think about the type of work you do and the way your business interacts with people. You should also consider the costs involved in repairing any damage caused.

Businesses with increased exposure to the public include:

Builders and tradespeople
Landscapers
Shops
Pubs, restaurants and cafes
Hair, nail and beauty salons
Some medical and dental practices
Cleaners
Carers
Telecommunications and TV installers

Industry standards

Another way to work out how much public liability insurance you need is to find out how much PL cover other businesses in your industry take out. You could do this by calling around, or if you have one, consulting with your guild, trade body or association. Some industries will have a mandatory level of PL cover for their members, and some customers, especially local government, may set a minimum amount of public liability insurance you must have.

Who needs public liability cover?

Public liability insurance is a good idea for almost all businesses, (including sole traders and the self-employed). Some personal injury or property damage claims can run into the hundreds of thousands of pounds. If your business operations put your organisation in a position where a customer, client, supplier or a passing member of the public (even in or on a vehicle) could suffer injury or damage to their personal property, then you need PL to protect your business against the potential of crippling financial claims. Additionally, some customers may demand that you have public liability insurance before contracting with your company.

What types of liability cover are there?

As well as public liability cover, you may consider these other types of liability insurance:

Employer’s liability insurance – under the Employers Liability Act of 1969, employers’ liability insurance (EL) is a legal requirement for most UK employers. EL protects you and your employees, (including those who no longer work for you), should they be injured or become unwell as a result of working for your business.
Professional indemnity insurance – also known as professional liability insurance, this is an essential type of cover for businesses that advise clients, help them navigate complex financial or legal affairs, or provide them with vital information that is published in the media. Professional indemnity (PI) can protect you if a client makes a financial loss because of your work and then makes claim against your business.
Product liability insurance – protects businesses from financial loss in the event that someone is harmed, or property is damaged due to products that they supplied. (Even if they didn’t manufacture them).
Property owners’ liability – protects landlords from claims if their negligence causes someone to be injured or their personal property is damaged or lost whilst staying or visiting the landlord’s premises.

Finding the right level of public liability insurance

Finding the right level of public liability insurance for your business – a Goldilocks level that’s not too high and not too low – is a matter of answering a few basic questions: How risky is your business? How much public interaction do you have? Have there been big compensation claims in your industry before? How much could you afford to lose if things go wrong?

Additionally, you should think about the premium you can afford to pay and what level of excess you should set. A Goldilocks policy will give you sufficient cover for your expected risks at a price you think is reasonable. If you’re still unsure, talk to an expert to get a professional opinion.

What types of claims can public liability insurance provide cover for?

Public liability insurance protects your business from financial loss if someone is injured, or their property is damaged because of the work that you or your business provides.

What’s covered:

Personal compensation – for the injury or death of a third party, including the loss of earnings and future loss of earnings.
Medical fees – including the cost of calling out an ambulance, treatment and a stay in hospital for the claimant.
Repairs – including the cost of labour and materials.
Legal costs – including the cost of defending you against a claim and the claimants’ legal costs if you’re found to be at fault.

What’s not covered:

Accidents that affect your employees or their possessions – if you employ anyone, you must have Employers’ Liability Insurance by law. This covers anything that might happen to your employees.
Accidents that happen to you or damage to your own property – protection for yourself or your business premises is usually covered under a general business insurance policy.

How Swoop can help

All business involves risk, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer the consequences if things go wrong. Don’t let an accident or error become a catastrophe for your business. Contact Swoop today to compare top-quality public liability cover from different providers and to discuss all your business insurance needs.

Written by

Chris Godfrey

Chris is a freelance copywriter and content creator. He has been active in the marketing, advertising, and publishing industries for more than twenty-five years. Writing for Barclays Bank, Metro Bank, Wells Fargo, ABN Amro, Quidco, Legal and General, Inshur Zego, AIG, Met Life, State Farm, Direct Line, insurers and pension funds, his words have appeared online and in print to inform, entertain and explain the complex world of consumer and business finance and insurance.

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