The short version
- There is no legal minimum for public liability.
- Check what your contracts and clients require first.
- Think about the most expensive thing you could damage.
Public liability is generally voluntary, so the law gives you no figure.3 That leaves the choice with you. Most people pick the limit the same way: they copy what a friend has. There is a better method.
Step one: read your contracts
A main contractor, council or commercial landlord may name a minimum. If a contract says £5 million, then £2 million will not do. Ask before you quote for the job.
Step two: picture the worst day
Think through the costliest thing that could go wrong on your job.
- A roofer's dropped tool hits a passer-by.
- A plumber's leak ruins two floors of a flat.
- A fire starts during hot work in a shop.
- A landscaper's mower throws a stone through a car window.
A serious injury claim can include lost earnings and long-term care. That is why the top end of the range exists.
Step three: check what is on offer
Simply Business offers limits from £1 million to £10 million.1 Tradesman Saver lists public and products liability up to £5 million.2 In the customer group behind its lowest advertised price, Simply Business says 85% chose £1 million and 15% chose £2 million.1
That tells you what cheap policies look like. It does not tell you what your own risk needs.
A simple starting point
| Type of work | Sensible place to start |
|---|---|
| Small domestic jobs, low risk | Ask for £1m and £2m quotes |
| Domestic work with heat, height or water | Ask for £2m and £5m quotes |
| Commercial sites or main contractors | Whatever the contract says, often £5m or more |
| Public events or high-value property | Take broker advice |
Common questions
Is £1 million public liability enough?
It can be for low-risk work in homes. Commercial contracts and higher-risk trades may demand more.
Who decides how much cover I need?
You do, unless a contract sets a minimum. Many main contractors and councils do.
Sources
- Public liability insurance, Simply Business. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- Tradesman insurance, Tradesman Saver. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969: a brief guide for employers, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 11 November 2026.
General information only. This is not legal, insurance or financial advice. Your own policy wording decides what is covered.