Public Liability Insurance


Public liability insurance is different from general liability. The particular coverage is designed to provide coverage when someone from the general public, including customers is injured while on company property. This also helps defer costs of repairs if you rent a space that is damaged through the course of business. Having this type of coverage is smart and provides a financial net that helps protect your business in specific ways.

The plan is most often less expensive that the same protections added to a general liability policy. The reason is it is specific and narrow in its focus. The cap on payments and coverage is not related to any other types of coverage. With a more specific focus is it not going to be concerned with employee injury or other types of issues.

Insurance is designed to provide financial protection. Like other policies, this type provides specific protections. Though less expensive, it actually provides better protection for its specific type that general coverage would. The idea is to get the right protection, not just an overall policy that may leave some things in question.

This type of policy should be kept separate from other types of coverage. Most insurance policies have set limits for payout in any given year. With this one being held separate, the limits are not subject to other types of issues that have arisen throughout the year. If, for instance, an employee is injured, the small business general liability insurance  policy may reach its limit before being able to provide the needed coverage against customer injuries on the premises.

The most common venue is the retail location. Any situation where a customer or the general population is in a business location, this coverage kicks in. If someone trips or is otherwise hurt, the coverage provides the needed protection. There are other clauses for service type work that can include remote locations that may not be owned or leased premises. If a window washer drops a tool that hits a passerby below, a clause could be included to consider this scenario as being protected even though the public was clearly not at the retail location owned by the policyholder.

Medical expenses are the most common type of claim. Since the injury of public citizens is the primary focus of the policy, the medical coverage is the most common type of payout. Lost wages and other related expenses may be covered as well. Legal fees are also included should a lawsuit be brought against the company.

Unsafe environments can dampen the coverage provided. If the insurance company finds that the business is allowing customers to be in an dangerous area or being negligent, they may cancel the coverage or not pay claims based on their findings. It does not take much to provide a safe environment for customers. Auto shops have moved customers into waiting rooms instead of allowing them to wait by their cars. This was a way to lower the danger they put customers in.

Public liability insurance is designed to protect a business from financial disaster when customers are injured or property damaged. Many times, they are simply innocent accidents that could not be prevented. This does not mean the customer cannot collect on the injury. Having policies in place for the financial protection, as well as the customers safety helps minimize the risk.

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