Public Liability Insurance

It covers businesses from the risk of being sued by a member of the public in the event of an accident.

Public liability is an essential part of any accommodation business if someone gets injured or their property damaged through your fault or no fault of anyone while on your premises. A member of the public may take a case against you which could result in legal costs and compensation. It is wise to provide public liability insurance for all categories of accommodation.

Where accommodation is provided for individuals and groups, whether in the owner's home or in a separate business, you should take out public liability insurance in addition to existing house insurance. Usually the cover is for £2-£5 Million, this will cover you for any accidents to guests in the property

Public Liability Insurance is recommended for all categories of accommodation, i.e. Hotels, Guest houses, Bed and breakfast, Guest accommodation, Self-catering, Hostel, Campus accommodation and Bunk house.

Please note, Public liability insurance and Employers' liability insurance are not the same:
Employers' liability insurance is required by law upon employment by you of an employee.
Public liability insurance is not required by law for most businesses, it is not included in the Tourism Order 1992 and not part of the inspection criteria.

To ensure you have adequate Public liability insurance and Employers' liability insurance cover Tourism NI would recommend that you discuss your individual requirements with your existing insurance company, an independent insurance broker or financial advisor for further information.

Updated: 24/08/20

This information is provided as a guide and is not designed to be definitive. Each business has its own requirements, depending on the type of accommodation.

For precise or detailed information, or on the legal implications for you in particular, you should consult your insurance company or broker or seek independent advice.