Having the right insurance policies in place is important for every business to protect themselves against unforeseen events.

If you’re running your own business from home, however, you may assume certain protections aren’t as relevant as they would be if you were working from an office.

Especially if you don’t invite customers or clients to meet you face-to-face.

So, is Public Liability insurance still needed if you run your own business from home? Let’s find out.

What does Public Liability insurance cover?

Public liability insurance protects your business if, for example, a third party, such as a client, supplier, or even a courier, suffers injury or property damage because of your business activities.

Public liability insurance generally covers:

• Compensation payments for injury or damage
• Legal defence costs
• Settlement expenses

Why would a remote travel agent need Public Liability insurance?

Remote travel agents may need Public Liability insurance for a few reasons:

Unexpected visitors are common

Even if you don’t invite customers or clients into your home, other people could easily visit for a business-related reason. From couriers and tradespeople to neighbours, if they’re there in relation to your work and suffer an injury, it may be considered a business incident.

Public liability can cover you off-site, too

Public liability insurance can offer protection off-site too. If you attend travel industry events, conferences, or supplier presentations, some venues require proof of Public Liability cover before entry or exhibiting. Additionally, if you meet a client at a cafe or use a co-working space and an incident occurs due to your business activity, Public Liability insurance may offer protection.

Your business needs may change

Even if you don’t invite people to your home for business reasons today, you may do so in the future. What if you decide to host a planning session at your home or meet a high-value client at a café? Having cover in place now avoids scrambling for it later.

Does home insurance cover you if you work from home?

If you have home and contents insurance, your policy may include personal liability cover. Personal liability insurance covers personal activities, not business ones. So, while personal liability insurance would cover you if a friend tripped and injured themselves at your barbecue, it is unlikely to cover you if a courier does the same while delivering business documents to you.

Most home policies have exclusions for business-related activities, leaving you exposed if something goes wrong.

No Public Liability insurance? Is it worth the risk?

If you don’t have Public Liability insurance, you could be left responsible for medical bills, compensation payouts, legal fees, or settlement costs that can run into tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

A low-cost safety net for home-based travel agents

For home-based travel agents, Public Liability cover is usually affordable and, when compared to the potential cost of a claim, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind. Insurance is for those unexpected moments, and Public Liability cover is an affordable way to protect yourself and your business against them.

Make sure you have strong professional protection in place with Gow-Gates’ Combined Professional Indemnity and Public Liability cover for travel agents. With limits ranging from $500,000 to $20 million, and excesses starting from $500, this policy is built to protect your reputation and your revenue.

Disclaimer:

The response of an insurance policy to a claim can vary depending on each particular circumstance and the terms and conditions of the policy. The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or insurance advice. While we aim to keep the content accurate and up to date, insurance needs vary widely depending on individual business activities, industry, and risk profile. Before making any decisions regarding insurance coverage, readers should consult with a qualified insurance broker or advisor to ensure that the policy they choose is appropriate and sufficient for their specific business circumstances. We accept no responsibility for any loss or damages resulting from reliance on the information in this post.