Self-employed people in the UK, from sole-trader contractors to freelancers who meet clients, often need public liability insurance because their own work brings them into contact with the public or client premises. This guide reviews six FCA-authorised UK providers, comparing cover, limits, and how the self-employed buy it, using the FCA Register, GOV.UK, and Association of British Insurers data. Kael Tripton does not provide quotes, does not route enquiries to brokers, and does not earn commission from any provider mentioned.
Key Facts
- Public liability covers claims by members of the public for injury or property damage connected to your work, plus legal defence costs (ABI, accessed June 2026).
- It is not generally a legal requirement, but many client contracts and trade memberships require it before work can start (ABI, accessed June 2026).
- A self-employed person with no employees generally does not need employers' liability, which is the cover that becomes compulsory once you take on staff (GOV.UK; Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969).
- Public liability was the most commonly held SME cover at 57 per cent of respondents (ABI SME underinsurance report, January 2026).
- All providers must be FCA-authorised, and disputes can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FCA; FOS, accessed June 2026).
How public liability insurance works for the self-employed
For a self-employed person, public liability insurance covers compensation if a member of the public or a client is injured, or their property is damaged, because of your work. According to the ABI, it pays the compensation and the legal costs of defending the claim. A decorator who damages a client's flooring, or a market trader whose stall injures a passer-by, are typical examples of claims it responds to.
Public liability is not generally compulsory, but the self-employed often find it required in practice. Client contracts, agencies, marketplaces, trade bodies, and venues frequently ask for a minimum level of cover before allowing work to begin. Because the self-employed usually carry the risk personally, the cover protects against claims that could otherwise fall on their own finances.
A key point for the self-employed is what they do not automatically need. Employers' liability is compulsory only once you employ staff, so a genuine sole trader working alone usually does not need it. Professional indemnity may be relevant if you give advice. Whichever cover applies, the insurer must be FCA-authorised, verifiable on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk, with disputes referable to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Providers compared at a glance
| Provider | Typical cover limits | Distribution | FCA reference | Suits self-employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiscox | £1m to £10m | Direct and brokers | 113849 | Consultants and freelancers |
| AXA | £1m to £5m | Direct and brokers | 202312 | Trades and sole traders |
| Aviva | £1m to £10m | Brokers and direct | 202153 | Sole traders across sectors |
| Zurich | £1m to £10m | Brokers and direct | 203093 | Self-employed trades |
| Simply Business | £1m to £10m (panel) | Intermediary | Verify on FCA Register | Self-employed comparing insurers |
| Tradesman Saver | £1m to £5m | Direct scheme | Verify on FCA Register | Self-employed tradespeople |
Limit ranges reflect published documentation and are confirmed at quotation. FCA reference numbers are from the FCA Register, accessed June 2026.
Hiscox
Who Hiscox is
Hiscox Insurance Company Limited is authorised by the FCA under reference 113849 and specialises in cover for professionals and small businesses, including the self-employed.
What the policy covers
Hiscox public liability covers third-party injury and property damage from your work plus legal costs, and can be combined with professional indemnity, which suits self-employed consultants who both advise and visit clients.
Notable exclusions
Employee injury and professional advice claims fall outside public liability; the latter needs professional indemnity. Standard exclusions apply.
Policy limits and excess
Limits commonly range from £1 million to £10 million. Excess is stated in the schedule.
Who this policy suits
Self-employed consultants and freelancers who want public liability and professional indemnity together.
AXA
Who AXA is
AXA Insurance UK plc is authorised by the FCA under reference 202312 and sells public liability within packaged business products, direct and through brokers.
What the policy covers
AXA public liability covers third-party injury and property damage, available within trade and professional packages a self-employed person can buy directly.
Notable exclusions
Professional advice claims and employee injury are excluded from public liability and need other covers.
Policy limits and excess
Limits commonly run from £1 million to £5 million, with higher limits on referral. Excess is set in the schedule.
Who this policy suits
Self-employed trades and sole traders who want to buy packaged cover directly.
Aviva
Who Aviva is
Aviva Insurance Limited is authorised by the FCA under reference 202153 and is one of the largest UK general insurers, covering public liability within business policies.
What the policy covers
Aviva public liability covers third-party injury and property damage from your activities, combinable with tools and professional indemnity for the self-employed who need them.
Notable exclusions
Employee injury and professional advice liability are excluded from the public liability section.
Policy limits and excess
Limits commonly range from £1 million to £10 million. Excess is set per policy.
Who this policy suits
Sole traders across sectors who want cover from a large insurer.
Zurich
Who Zurich is
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd is authorised by the FCA under reference 203093 and provides public liability within trade and commercial policies through brokers and direct.
What the policy covers
Zurich public liability covers third-party injury and property damage, combinable with tools and contract works sections for self-employed trades.
Notable exclusions
Professional advice liability and employee injury are excluded from public liability.
Policy limits and excess
Limits commonly range from £1 million to £10 million. Excess is confirmed in the schedule.
Who this policy suits
Self-employed tradespeople wanting public liability within a broader policy.
Simply Business
Who Simply Business is
Simply Business is an FCA-authorised insurance intermediary arranging cover from a panel of insurers. Confirm the authorised firm and underlying insurer on the FCA Register.
What the policy covers
Simply Business arranges public liability for the self-employed across many trades, with limits and add-ons set by the chosen insurer, letting buyers compare options.
Notable exclusions
Exclusions follow the underlying insurer's wording and typically exclude professional advice and employee injury.
Policy limits and excess
Limits commonly range from £1 million to £10 million depending on the insurer. Excess varies.
Who this policy suits
Self-employed people who want to compare public liability across several insurers.
Tradesman Saver
Who Tradesman Saver is
Tradesman Saver is a specialist scheme for self-employed tradespeople. Confirm the authorised firm on the FCA Register before purchase.
What the policy covers
Tradesman Saver bundles public liability with optional tools and other trade covers, aimed at self-employed trades wanting a simple package.
Notable exclusions
Professional advice claims and employee injury are excluded from public liability; standard scheme exclusions apply.
Policy limits and excess
Public liability limits commonly range from £1 million to £5 million. Excess is set per policy.
Who this policy suits
Self-employed tradespeople wanting an affordable bundled scheme.
How to compare public liability insurance as a self-employed person
Start with the limit your clients require. Many contracts, agencies, and venues specify £1 million, £2 million, £5 million, or £10 million, so check before choosing. The limit is fixed per claim period, so buying below a contract requirement can lose you work or leave a gap.
Decide whether public liability alone is enough. If you give advice, professional indemnity may also be needed; if you carry valuable tools, add tools cover. As a sole trader with no staff, you generally do not need employers' liability, which avoids paying for cover you do not require.
Compare excesses and what counts as your insured business activity, then verify the insurer or intermediary on the FCA Register before buying. If a claim is later declined and you disagree, eligible complaints can be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service once the insurer's complaints process is complete.
Frequently asked questions
Do self-employed people need public liability insurance?
It is not generally a legal requirement, but many client contracts, agencies, and venues require it before work can begin. It protects the self-employed against claims for injury or property damage caused by their work.
Do I need employers' liability if I am self-employed?
Generally not, if you have no employees. Employers' liability becomes compulsory once you take on staff, with a £5 million legal minimum. A genuine sole trader working alone usually does not need it.
How much public liability cover should a sole trader have?
There is no legal minimum, but contracts often require £1 million, £2 million, £5 million, or £10 million. Check the contracts and memberships you work under before choosing a limit.
Can I add professional indemnity to public liability?
Yes. Many insurers let the self-employed combine public liability with professional indemnity, which is sensible if you also give advice or provide a specialist service that clients rely on.
How do I check a public liability insurer is authorised?
Search the firm's name or reference number on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk. The Register shows the authorised legal entity behind any brand, and all providers in this guide must be authorised.
What if my public liability claim is rejected?
Use the insurer's internal complaints process first. If you remain dissatisfied, you can refer an eligible complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which independently reviews disputes between consumers, smaller businesses, and FCA-regulated firms.
