What is Public Liability Insurance actually covering you against?

[MASSEY]

I've taken some out recently with Direct Line but haven't had anything come through in the post which i think is odd considering it has been 15 days since i set it up online.

Got a quote of about £106 covering for 3 different trade sectors and a couple of guys.

It obviously covers you if you damage your customers stuff or do something that could injure them etc

But does it cover for things that could be considered negligence.

And what is the excess likely to be?

 

[Homer J Simpson]

The excess should be in your policy schedule/wording (which is yet to turn up).

It should cover accidental damage to people/property etc, but probably not negligence.

P.S. Chase up Direct Line ! (can't they email a copy at the very least?)

 

[Maxwell83]

It should cover accidental damage to people/property etc, but probably not negligence.

Negligence is certainly a large part of what it covers. Many of the situations that you could come up with that would be covered by PLI will be caused by 'negligence' in the legal sense of the word. In many of the cases that a member of the public might try to sue you, negligence has to be a factor for there to even be a case.

Thinking of it another way, what is the value of me (lets pretend I'm awarding you for a contract) seeing your £10m PLI cover if that doesn't cover you for anything you do negligently? Your negligence is really my biggest concern, because the potential costs could destroy your business and mine.

 

[MASSEY]

When i say negligence i mean along the lines of, for instance, leaving a power drills battery on charge over night in an empty property that goes faulty and burns the property down.

Looking at the direct line website there doesn't appear to be any way to contact them via email, my guess is you have to call them on their 0845 number, and get charged, to ask where your paperwork is.

On their website it says 'entered' so i must be covered. I guess the postman losing it could be an option.

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

You can also call them on 0333 256 3023 and get through to the business section

 

[GraemeL]

I've taken some out recently with Direct Line but haven't had anything come through in the post which i think is odd considering it has been 15 days since i set it up online.

Something wrong here. Have they sent via email into your spam or something? Their sales systems are automated.

 

[Maxwell83]

When i say negligence i mean along the lines of, for instance, leaving a power drills battery on charge over night in an empty property that goes faulty and burns the property down.

Thats the sort of thing that would be covered under a standard PLI policy.

 

[MASSEY]

Something wrong here. Have they sent via email into your spam or something? Their sales systems are automated.

Nothing, just looked in the spam.

As i say, when i log into direct line it shows the insurance with the word 'entered' to the right so it must be live.

But it would be nice to have some documents etc. One of the jobs we were starting stipulated we must have it so it is a good job they never asked to see documents.

Will have to give them a ring it seems.

 

[Simply Business]

Hi @MASSEY Some have already given some really good information, but just to clarify, it covers you should your negligence cause injury to a member of the public or damage to 3rd party property.

This could include a number of situations (it obviously depends on a case by case basis) buty our example about leaving a drill on charge and starting a fire is the sort of negligence that could be covered.

Of course there will be exclusions which you should look out for, but in general it is this type of thing that is covered. Hope that helps?