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Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance (PLI) is an essential coverage for businesses in the UAE. It financially protects them from third-party liabilities (due to injuries, property damage, and more) resulting from their business operations or activities. It shields you from the financial burden by covering legal expenses and compensation if a third party is injured or their property is damaged. Keep on reading to understand the various aspects of this coverage, including its importance, inclusions, exclusions, cost, and more. ...read more

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What is Public Liability Insurance?

Public liability insurance financially protects your business against third-party claims related to injuries or property damage caused by your business operations. Also known as ‘General Liability Insurance’ or ‘Third-party Liability Insurance,’ it usually covers accidental death or bodily injury to third parties, loss or damage of property, and legal costs due to negligence.

This insurance is often required by clients or included as a condition in business contracts. In some cases, it is also necessary for compliance purposes. This includes renewing or issuing a trade licence, tenancy agreements, and more in the UAE.

Who Needs Public Liability Insurance?

Businesses of all sizes — from domestic to multinational — must get a PLI policy. For a nominal premium, it can shield your business from hefty liabilities arising from third-party liabilities.

Here are some of the business types that must choose this coverage —

  • Retail stores
  • Restaurants & cafes
  • Construction and real estate companies
  • Consultants and service providers
  • Office-based businesses, where clients or guests visit frequently
  • Event management companies
  • Manufacturers and distributors, and more

Why Do You Need Public Liability Insurance UAE?

Many businesses in the UAE overlook public and liability insurance without realising its importance. No matter how strict the safety measures are, accidents or unexpected events can still occur in offices, workshops, factories, and other spaces. This, in turn, can lead to costly third-party claims.

With this type of insurance, you can enjoy several benefits —

  • Covers Legal Cost or Compensation: If your business faces a lawsuit, this insurance takes care of the expenses. It covers lawyer fees, court charges, and any compensation you may need to pay. This saves you from heavy financial stress.
  • Protection from Third-Party Claims: If someone gets injured or their property is damaged due to your business activities, this policy can shield your company’s finances. It can cover the cost of compensation and legal fees, helping you avoid unexpected losses and keeping your business secure.
  • Compliance with Contract Requirements: Public liability cover is often required when signing contracts with clients or other businesses. Its presence ensures compliance and builds trust, showing that you are a reliable partner. Beyond meeting requirements, it also creates new business opportunities.
  • Enhances Business Reputation: Any kind of liability claim can put the reputation of your business at risk. Third-party liability insurance helps in protecting your business reputation by covering unexpected costs from accidents or damages. This not only safeguards your credibility but also ensures that your operations continue to run smoothly.

Types of Public Liability Insurance in UAE

There are two main types of public and liability insurance in the UAE. Let’s understand them in more detail below —

Coverage for Premises Only

It provides coverage if a third party faces a loss or damage due to an accident or damage party within your business premises. For instance, say a delivery person is injured while loading or unloading packages. Or, a fire in your premises causes damage to neighbouring businesses in the same building. In such cases, your policy can cover the resulting liabilities.

Cover for All Business Activities (Including Work Away)

It covers third-party claims arising from your business activities, whether they take place on your premises or outside. It covers situations like accidentally damaging a client’s property while working at their site, injuring a bystander while conducting business in a public area, and so on.

What is Covered Under Public Liability Insurance?

Find below the primary inclusions under a typical public and liability insurance policy —

  • Third-party bodily injury
  • Property damage
  • Personal injury
  • Legal defence and court costs
  • Cross liability
  • Tenant’s liability and more

What is Not Covered Under Public Liability Insurance?

While public liability insurance Dubai covers various scenarios, some are still excluded. Mentioned below are the key exclusions of a standard policy —

  • War & terrorism
  • Machinery breakdown
  • Professional errors
  • Own property damage
  • Willful damage
  • Nuclear risk
  • Radioactive materials
  • Aviation, marine, or offshore risks
  • Liabilities towards your own employees

Public Liability Insurance Add-Ons in the UAE

Many insurers let you take additional coverage through different plans in one package or add-ons. Here are some of the most popular add-ons with this type of business insurance in the UAE —

  • Product liability
  • Vendors’ liability
  • Pollution liability
  • Motor liability
  • Advertising liability

✍️ The inclusions, exclusions, and add-ons above are standard and may vary as per the insurer and the policy. Review your policy wording carefully for a clear understanding.

Why Choose Policybazaar UAE for Public and Liability Insurance?

Policybazaar.ae is a leading insurance aggregator in the UAE that offers the top policies from the leading insurance companies in one place. When you get public liability coverage through our platform, you get access to the following benefits — 

Trusted Insurance Providers

Finding the right business cover for your business is no longer a hassle. We have partnered with the UAE’s top insurers to bring you the best policies in one place!

Quick and Easy Process

Say goodbye to endless paperwork! With our fully digital application process, you can get your policy issued quickly and without any hassle. This saves you time and lets you focus on what matters the most — your business operations.

Easily Find the Right Plan for Your Business

With Policybazaar.ae, you can get what your business really needs. Our experts take time to understand your business’s requirements and match you with the right plan at the right budget!

Dedicated Customer Support

From issuing your policy to resolving any queries, our experts are by your side at every step. With the right guidance and support, we ensure a smooth and stress-free insurance journey.

How to Buy Public Liability Insurance UAE?

With Policybazaar.ae, you can easily buy public liability insurance coverage in the UAE. Here’s what you need to do —

  • Explore Business Insurance — Click the button to get the lead form
  • Enter Your Details — Mention the specified details such as your name, company’s name, email address, and more
  • Submit — Hit the submit button
  • Get the Assistance — After receiving your application, we will soon connect with you and help you select the right plan for your business

How Much Does Public Liability Insurance Cost in the UAE?

The cost of public liability insurance in Dubai varies based on several factors, including:

  1. Business Size: Businesses with a large number of employees typically pay a higher premium for third-party insurance coverage and vice versa. 
  2. Industry Type: The type of industry that your business operates in significantly influences the cost. High-risk industries, such as construction, face greater exposure to risk. This results in higher premiums. On the other hand, low-risk businesses, such as software companies operating from office desks, benefit from lower premiums.
  3. Coverage Limit: Another important factor affecting general liability insurance premiums is the coverage amount. Choosing a higher coverage limit can lead to a higher premium. Additionally, choosing add-ons to enhance your policy can also increase the overall cost.
  4. Claim History: If your business has a history of past claims, insurers see it as a higher risk. In this case, your policy premium may be higher than that of businesses with no claims.

How to Choose the Right Public Liability Cover?

To ensure adequate coverage at the time of an incident, it’s important to get the right public liability insurance UAE. Consider the following points to get the right coverage —

Evaluate Business Risk

While choosing PLI, it’s essential to assess the specific risks your business faces. Industries like construction, manufacturing, and similar high-risk sectors are more prone to accidents or third-party claims, making comprehensive coverage a necessity.

Evaluating these risks ensures your business is sufficiently protected against potential liabilities.

Compare Multiple Plans

To get the best third-party liability coverage, compare multiple plans from different insurers. Look at what each policy covers, check the costs, and weigh the benefits. This way, you’ll find a plan that truly protects your business while giving you the best value.

Coverage Amount

This is one of the most important things to consider while buying a policy. It should be high enough to fully protect your business from different types of liability claims, including accidents, injuries, or property damage. Choosing a high coverage amount ensures you won’t face unexpected financial burdens if a claim arises.

Exclusions of the Policy

Carefully review the exclusions under your chosen policy, such as injuries to employees, fines and penalties, professional errors, and more. This way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises at the time of claim settlement.

Claim Process

When getting public liability cover, always review the insurer’s claim process. Check customer reviews and choose a provider known for smooth, hassle-free claims. This ensures quick help when needed the most.

Steps to File a Public Liability Insurance Claim in UAE

Follow these steps to file a claim with your public liability policy —

  • Report the Incident: Inform your insurance company immediately if an incident occurs, whether it’s an injury or property damage. Additionally, file a report at the nearest police station. This is an important step in the claim process.
  • Submit the Documents: Fill out the claim form and submit all the required documents and evidence. You may be asked for policy details, legal notice from the third party, medical or repair bills, police report and more.
  • Site Survey: Once you submit your claim form, the insurer may appoint a surveyor or investigator to assess the loss or damage. Cooperate with them and provide any additional information they request to ensure a smooth process.
  • Claim Assessment: Based on the investigator’s report, the insurance company will review your claim. Considering your coverage limits, inclusions, exclusions and policy features, they will then determine the compensation amount.
  • Get the Compensation: You will get the compensation amount once your claim is settled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it mandatory to get public liability cover in the UAE?

Public liability insurance is not mandatory, although it’s a requirement in certain free zones. Irrespective of the legal requirement, it’s highly advisable to get this coverage. With it, you can run your business without worrying about the financial impact related to third-party liabilities.

Q2. What is public liability insurance in the UAE?

It’s a type of commercial insurance that financially protects a business from third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage due to its business activities.

Q3. Does public liability insurance UAE cover my property damage?

No, general liability insurance does not cover your own property damage. It only covers third-party claims, including property damage, bodily injury, legal expenses, and related liabilities.

Q4. What is covered under a public liability policy?

A standard policy usually covers third-party bodily injuries, legal expenses, and damage to property due to the operations of an insured business.

Q5. What are the factors that affect the premium of a general liability insurance policy?

Industry and size of business, claim history, coverage limit, add-ons, and more are some common factors that affect public liability insurance premiums.

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