Working from home has become the norm for many self-employed professionals, freelancers and small business owners across the UK. But while it offers flexibility and convenience, it also raises questions about insurance that often get overlooked.
The question is, does public liability insurance cover working from home?
In this guide, we’ll explore when applies to a home-working setup, where it might fall short and what other types of protection you might need to stay properly covered.
Public liability insurance should be in place to help protect you if someone is accidentally injured or their property is damaged because of your work. It’s designed for self-employed people, sole traders and small businesses, especially if you interact with clients, customers or members of the public. Here’s what it typically protects against:
Accidental injury to someone else caused by your work
Accidental damage to someone else’s property caused by your work
Legal defence costs to protect allegations arising from the above and compensation costs where you are at fault
It’s important to note that claims from negligent advice are excluded, and you will need professional indemnity insurance.
Public Liability insurance is not a legal requirement, but many clients and Contracts now expect it, especially in consultancy, trade and service-based roles.
If you work from home, you cannot simply assume that your home insurance automatically covers your business against public liability claims. You must contact your home insurer and check with them what cover your policy provides you with. .
Alternatively, it might be better to arrange a separate public liability insurance policy for your business. It’s important to make it clear when applying that you need cover to apply at home, as it can be extended to cover accidents that happen when you work from home, as long as they’re related to your business activities. However, it’s not always straightforward and there are limits to what’s included:
If you run a business from home and a third party is injured or their property is damaged because of your work, your public liability policy may provide cover for such events. This could include:
A courier or supplier slipping on your path while making a business delivery
A client tripping over a cable in your home office during a consultation
Accidental damage to someone’s property while they visit for business reasons
These are business-related incidents and public liability insurance is designed to help in these situations. However, there are clear limits. Public liability insurance won’t cover:
Injuries to you or your employees: This is where employers’ liability insurance is required
Damage to your own home or belongings: This is typically handled by home insurance or business contents insurance
Personal guests: This includes friends or family, as they aren’t covered under a business policy
If your business involves frequent visitors or deliveries, it’s worth reviewing your policy and checking that working from home is included. Some insurers might require you to list your home as a business address or take out additional home business insurance to stay fully protected.
Standard home insurance is designed to protect your property and belongings from everyday risks like fire, theft or water damage. It won’t usually include cover for business-related activities.
That means if someone is injured during a work-related visit to your home or if you accidentally damage a client’s property while running your business, your home insurance likely won’t cover the costs. This is how the two coverages differ:
Cover type | Home insurance | Public liability insurance |
Personal visitors | Covered | Not covered |
Business visitors | Often excluded | Covered |
Business deliveries | Often excluded | Covered |
Damage to client property | Not covered | Covered |
Employee injuries | Not covered | Not covered |
Public liability insurance is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to business insurance. Depending on the nature of your work, there are other types of cover you may need to stay properly protected when working from home:
Employers’ liability insurance: If you hire staff, even part-time or temporary, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. This covers claims from employees who are injured or become ill because of their work.
Business contents insurance: Your home insurance might not cover specialist tools, stock or business equipment. Business contents insurance helps protect the items you rely on for work.
Professional indemnity insurance: If you give advice, provide designs or handle client data, this covers claims of professional negligence
Each policy serves a different purpose, but together they help create a more complete safety net around your business.
Working from home doesn’t remove your business risks, it just changes where they happen. That’s why it’s important to check that your insurance reflects how and where you work. These are three simple steps to help you stay protected:
Review your existing policies: Look closely at any exclusions for business use at home
Consider your daily setup: Do clients visit? Do you use specialist tools? Do you employ staff?
Speak to a specialist: Insurance needs vary widely. Talking to a broker can help you find cover tailored to your specific situation.
Everywhen offers access to tailored self-employed insurance for working from home, so you can feel confident that your cover matches your reality.
Working from home still carries liability risks, especially if your business involves visitors, deliveries or specialist equipment. Public liability insurance can help protect you but only in the right circumstances.
At Everywhen, we can help you find coverage that fits the way you work. It doesn’t matter if you need public liability, business contents or professional indemnity insurance, our specialists are here to guide you. Get in touch for tailored advice and to get insured today.
We can offer property insurance including specific cover for people who are working from home. The policy can cover up to £2 million cover plus defence costs and expenses for injury, illness or accidental death occur at your property.
Get a working from home insurance quote online or call 0344 346 3298.
