Incoming president of APIL says public-facing businesses need compulsory public liability insurance

In a speech at the 2015 APIL conference (18-page / 436KB PDF), Jonathan Wheeler said that campaigning for the introduction of mandatory public liability insurance would be one of the priorities of his APIL presidency. The APIL is a not-for-profit group of personal injury lawyers which lobby for changes in the law on behalf of the victims of accidents, workplace injuries and other personal injury cases.

"Some rogue business owners liquidate their companies to avoid paying out, and then set up a new business and carry on trading with impunity," Wheeler said. "This is morally unacceptable, and should be tackled head-on."

Compulsory PL insurance would also "have the added benefit of driving up safety standards" at public-facing businesses, he said.

Public liability insurance covers the cost to businesses of claims brought against them by members of the public for incidents that occur in connection with the activities of the business. Most policies cover the cost of compensation for personal injury, death and loss of or damage to property both on the premises of the business and at off-site events or activities organised by the business.

Public-facing businesses are not currently required to hold public liability insurance. However, they must hold employers' liability insurance to cover the cost of compensating employees who are injured at or become ill due to their work, unless they have no employees or only employ family members.

Wheeler said that the introduction of a public liability insurance requirement needed "serious consideration at the highest levels", and that he would ensure that the APIL would "start the debate" with the next government.

He said that there was a "real issue" of businesses going bust without insurance and not settling claims against them, and that APIL members could "call upon a body of clients who will speak to this injustice".