Do I need a public liability insurance certificate?

A public liability insurance certificate is simply a legal document that summarises the key details of your public liability insurance policy and proves your business has the right cover. Certificates can be obtained for many types of insurance such as motor or employer’s liability, but public liability insurance certificates include more details as different insurers can offer different levels of coverage.

What should a public liability insurance certificate include?

A public liability insurance certificate should contain the following details:

• Who is insured under the policy
• The insurance company
• The policy number
• The insurance period
• A description of your business and the activities that will be covered
• The indemnity limit, which is the most that the insurer will pay out in the event of a claim
• Any major cover exclusions (for example, a territorial limit that means you are not covered for work outside of the UK)

Is having this certificate a legal requirement?

By law, you do not need a public liability insurance certificate, but it makes doing business a lot easier - clients and contractors will often want to see proof of your cover before they hire you, and so having a certification handy can quickly assure them that you are adequately covered and prepared for the job.

Where should I display my public liability insurance certificate?

As a public liability insurance certificate is not a legal requirement, you do not have to display your certificate publicly, but it is advisable to do so as it quickly lets clients and potential clients see that you are covered. You can obtain a hard copy or digital copy from your insurer, so you can display it in your office space or on your website.

Public liability insurance from Towergate

For more information see our public liability insurance page or call us on 0344 892 1664.

About the author

Alison Wild BCom (Hons), FMAAT, MATT, Taxation Technician is a highly respected industry professional who has been working with and advising SMEs in areas including tax, pensions, insurance and marketing for over 25 years. She is a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) and also has over 20 years' experience as a residential landlord.