Do I need public liability cover for pest and vermin control?
Working in pest and vermin control involves certain risks, so it’s important to make sure you have proper insurance. This FAQ examines whether public liability insurance is necessary for pest and vermin control projects.
What is public liability insurance?
Public liability covers third-party claims made against you for damage to property or injury caused to someone because of something you or your business did (or failed to do).
You may be using different methods of pest control, all of which have the potential to cause accidental damage or harm. Public liability insurance safeguards against any claims made against you, in this regard.
Is it a legal requirement to have public liability insurance?
There is no law that requires you to have public liability insurance. However, you may find that it is a contractual requirement, particularly if you work for larger organisations or public bodies.
Without public liability cover, you may either miss out on contract or end up in breach of contract, in addition to being unprotected if a claim is made.
If you are a member of a professional body, they may insist you have public liability as a term of your membership.
Why is public liability insurance important?
If a third party successfully makes a claim against you, you can be ordered by the court to pay damages and compensation.
Depending on the nature of the claim, an order to pay damages and compensation can be in the region of thousands or tens of thousands of pounds (e.g. if someone lost their sight because of a chemical you used.) There are also the legal costs to consider.
If you can’t pay, your business and assets could be at risk.
How much cover do I need?
This will depend on your circumstances, in particular:
- the types of projects you take on
- the level of risk these involve
- what your contracts require
It is typical to have public liability cover of between £2 million and £10 million.
How much will it cost?
This will also depend on multiple factors. These include:
- whether you have any employees (and, if so, how many)
- how your business is set up (it can cost a little less for sole traders)
- your claims history
- the level of cover you require.