Accidental site damage
A staff member accidentally damages third-party property while attending or inspecting a site.
Public & Products Liability
Liability cover for the way engineers work.
Protection for certain third-party injury or property damage claims arising from business activities, premises, site attendance and products supplied.
Has a client requested liability cover?Ask us about the requirement before completing a full quote form.
What it is
Operational liability is different from professional liability.
Public Liability generally addresses certain claims for third-party personal injury or property damage connected with business operations. Products Liability extends consideration to products sold, supplied or distributed by the business.
- Client and visitor injury at business premises
- Accidental damage during site attendance
- Claims involving products or components supplied
- Legal defence costs for covered claims
- Contractual limits requested by clients or principals
- Incidents arising from ordinary business operations
Underwriting context
What shapes the liability risk?
The insurer needs to understand what staff do away from the desk, what the business supplies and which responsibilities it accepts.
01Frequency and type of site attendance
02Inspections, testing and field work
03Installation, fabrication or physical contracting
04Products, components or equipment supplied
05Use of subcontractors and labour hire
06Work at airports, mines, rail or other controlled sites
07Drones and other specialist operations
08Contractual limits, indemnities and principal requirements
Where claims can arise
Think beyond the consulting desk.
Third-party injury
A visitor, client or member of the public alleges injury connected with the business operations or premises.
Products supplied
A physical product, component or item supplied by the business is alleged to cause injury or property damage.
Responding to allegations
Legal and investigation costs may be incurred in defending a covered liability allegation.
These examples are illustrative only. Whether a claim is covered depends on the policy wording, facts, limits, excesses, conditions and exclusions.
Important boundaries
One liability policy does not cover everything.
Public & Products Liability is not a replacement for Professional Indemnity or every other business policy.
- Professional advice, design errors and financial loss usually sit with PI
- Employee injury is generally addressed through workers compensation arrangements
- Registered motor vehicles require appropriate motor insurance
- Pollution, asbestos and hazardous activities may be restricted
- Damage to the product itself or faulty workmanship may not be covered
- Drone and aviation liabilities frequently require specific consideration
Useful guides
Understand the boundaries before you choose.
When an engineering consultancy may need Public Liability
Professional Indemnity versus Public Liability
Insurance considerations when engineers use drones
Specialist surveying and testing equipment
Preparing a request
What helps us obtain meaningful terms.
What the business does
Describe consulting, site, testing, installation and any physical contracting activities.
Turnover and locations
Provide estimated annual turnover and where the business operates.
Required liability limits
Share client, lease or principal requirements and any unusual indemnities.
Claims and circumstances
Disclose previous incidents, claims and known matters that could lead to a claim.
Common questions
Public Liability, explained clearly.
They may. Site visits, client meetings, leased premises and contractual requirements can still create third-party injury or property damage exposures.
Public Liability generally concerns third-party injury or property damage arising from operations. Professional Indemnity focuses on allegations involving professional advice, design and services. Many engineering businesses require both.
Do not assume it does. The policy may impose conditions or exclusions, and subcontractors should generally carry appropriate insurance for their own activities.
Public Liability is not equipment insurance. Office contents, portable devices and specialist testing equipment may need separate property or equipment cover.
Potentially, subject to insurer approval and available limits. The contract should also be checked for indemnities, additional-insured requirements and other obligations that may extend beyond the policy.
Next step
Request Public & Products Liability terms for your engineering business.
Tell us about site attendance, physical activities, products supplied and the limits your clients require.
A simpler first step
Not ready for a quote? Start a conversation.
Start a conversation
Request information or a callback.
Tell us what you need and how you would like us to respond. There is no need to complete a full proposal form.
Concept only—the production version will use a short Gravity Form and notify the team.