Personal liability insurance

eliott

I have been trying to find a UK provider of Personal liability insurance (not Public liability insurance) but can find none. I am thinking of something like the German Haftpflichtversicherung or American Umbrella insurance type policies.
At present I have no insurance whatsoever. I have no house or contents insurance as I live in someone else's house. I therefore do not have any limited cover that a home policy might provide.
So, for example, if I accidentally cause an injury by bumping into someone in the street and I'm held negligent I could be sued for all my current wealth and future income.
When I search on the web for such cover it seems easy enough to source in other countries but not here. Does anyone know of any providers of standalone cover?

Browntoa

I think you are overthinking this

I don't know anyone who has had your scenario happen in real Lifeand been sued

rs65

What is your distinction between public and personal liability. I don’t think there is a difference.

You could be added to the homeowners insurance or buy contents insurance as a lodger

eliott

Hello Browntoa

Thanks for your quick consideration of my worries.

I just gave that as one extreme example. But there could be all sorts of scenarios where one could be out of pocket or incur legal expenses to defend or even take action against someone for compensation. Home policies seem to cover these things (even if as an add on) but I have no home policy to fall back on. I am trying to find this part of the cover outside of a home policy.

eliott

Thanks RS65

My understanding is that Public liability insurance is for business use for companies or trades.

Your ideas about being added to the homeowners policy are something that I thought might be something to look at but I thought it might get a bit complex. My other idea was maybe if I insured the house contents rather than the house owner and got cover that way. I'm not sure about the legalities of all that. A policy such as I envisaged seemed a lot simpler.

It just seems quite common, simple and straightforward to arrange cheap insurance abroad but not here.

rs65

eliott wrote: »

My understanding is that Public liability insurance is for business use for companies or trades.

Your ideas about being added to the homeowners policy are something that I thought might be something to look at but I thought it might get a bit complex. My other idea was maybe if I insured the house contents rather than the house owner and got cover that way. I'm not sure about the legalities of all that. A policy such as I envisaged seemed a lot simpler.

It just seems quite common, simple and straightforward to arrange cheap insurance abroad but not here.

Public liability isn’t just for business.

The homeowner needs to insure their own risk and not rely on someone else.

Being added to theirs as a joint insured isn’t complex. Depending on your relationship you may be covered anyway. Ask them to check their policy.

Browntoa

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/technical_notes/legal-expenses.html

rs65

Browntoa wrote: »

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/technical_notes/legal-expenses.html

That clearly says it’s for pursuing or defending a case and doesn’t pay damages.

Browntoa

Yes , don't think any other type of policy exists for private individuals

eliott

rs65 wrote: »

Public liability isn!!!8217;t just for business.

The homeowner needs to insure their own risk and not rely on someone else.

Being added to theirs as a joint insured isn!!!8217;t complex. Depending on your relationship you may be covered anyway. Ask them to check their policy.

I take your point RS65 but still feel Public liability is for a trader, tradesperson or business should they be liable for damage loss or injury in the course of work or trade wheras a Personal liability policy would be for me, well, personally. I think I will follow your advice and have a good look at the homeowner's policy and see if it can be adapted as you suggest or even look to a new joint policy. Thanks

Browntoa wrote: »

Yes , don't think any other type of policy exists for private individuals

A conclusion I am also coming to. Thanks

rs65

eliott wrote: »

I take your point RS65 but still feel Public liability is for a trader, tradesperson or business should they be liable for damage loss or injury in the course of work or trade wheras a Personal liability policy would be for me, well, personally.

You feel wrong. Public liability is to protect the policyholder against claims from other parties for injury or damage to their property. The policyholder doesn’t have to be a trader, tradesperson or business. The only constraint is whether you can find an insurer to provide it to an individual.