is Public Liability Insurance necessary?

**bluesky** · 17-01-2010

if i am running a home based electrician business, is Public Liability Insurance really necessary?

'Public Liability Insurance Cover should be considered if members of the public, clients or customers visit your premises. If you run a home-business, and customers sometimes visit you there, public liability cover might also be a good idea.'

if i work at home, the possibility of clients visiting me is very slim! also i dont think anything at home can be harmful to visitors!

also i am asking the difference between 'Public Liability Insurance' and 'professional indemnity insurance', are they the same thing?

**Amp David** · 17-01-2010

Whats happens if one does visit, then on their way out trips over a door thresh hold and brakes an arm?

**acat** · 17-01-2010

You dont have to have it but if you dont one claim against you could cost you everything you own is it worth that risk when you consider the cost of peace of mind.

Chris

**bluesky** · 17-01-2010

i understand that for most small business it is definately important, but for an self-employed electrician i just dont see any chance of a client's visiting

**acat** · 17-01-2010

Do you do all your work at home

what happens if you are working at a customers house and you drill through a water pipe causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

Chris

**patricklondon** · 17-01-2010

you need it to be registered as a domestic installer

**bluesky** · 17-01-2010

right, i see, so it is important....

so which insurance provider is a good one? how much appoximately does it cost?

also for professional indemnity insurance?

**Jason.S** · 17-01-2010

Public liability covers you for actual damage or injury etc to others.

Professional covers you for your "expert opinion" eg, you PIR a property which you deem as safe but someone gets a shock from something etc etc.

**Amp David** · 17-01-2010

Originally Posted by bluesky

i understand that for most small business it is definately important, but for an self-employed electrician i just dont see any chance of a client's visiting

Its needed to cover yourself whilst working in other people properties.

**bluesky** · 18-01-2010

Originally Posted by Jason.S

Public liability covers you for actual damage or injury etc to others.

Professional covers you for your "expert opinion" eg, you PIR a property which you deem as safe but someone gets a shock from something etc etc.

thanks...

if i only do installation, no inspection involved, can i ignore professional indemnity insurance?