Do I need public liability cover for pest and vermin control?

Working in pest and vermin control involves certain risks, so it’s important to make sure you have proper insurance. This FAQ examines whether public liability insurance is necessary for pest and vermin control projects.

What is public liability insurance?

Public liability covers third-party claims made against you for damage to property or injury caused to someone because of something you or your business did (or failed to do).

You may be using different methods of pest control, all of which have the potential to cause accidental damage or harm. Public liability insurance safeguards against any claims made against you, in this regard.

Is it a legal requirement to have public liability insurance?

There is no law that requires you to have public liability insurance. However, you may find that it is a contractual requirement, particularly if you work for larger organisations or public bodies. 
Without public liability cover, you may either miss out on contract or end up in breach of contract, in addition to being unprotected if a claim is made.

If you are a member of a professional body, they may insist you have public liability as a term of your membership.

Why is public liability insurance important?

If a third party successfully makes a claim against you, you can be ordered by the court to pay damages and compensation.

Depending on the nature of the claim, an order to pay damages and compensation can be in the region of thousands or tens of thousands of pounds (e.g. if someone lost their sight because of a chemical you used.) There are also the legal costs to consider.

If you can’t pay, your business and assets could be at risk.

How much cover do I need?

This will depend on your circumstances, in particular:

• the types of projects you take on
• the level of risk these involve
• what your contracts require

It is typical to have public liability cover of between £2 million and £10 million.

How much will it cost?

This will also depend on multiple factors. These include:

• whether you have any employees (and, if so, how many) 
• how your business is set up (it can cost a little less for sole traders)
• your claims history
• the level of cover you require.

If you work in the pest and vermin control industry, or are thinking of doing so, you may be wondering whether you need insurance and, if so, what the best kind of pest and vermin insurance may be.

Do you need insurance if you work in pest and vermin control?

There are likely to be multiple types of cover that you need to consider. Some may be required by law, while others may be requested as a term of your contract with a client.

All the different types of insurances exist to protect you and your business against claims made against you. They also provide peace of mind, and reassure potential clients and other businesses that you are properly set up.

What are the main types of insurance needed for pest and vermin control?

Employers’ liability insurance

First, if you employ anyone, you must have employers’ liability insurance. This is a legal requirement.

Employers’ liability insurance protects you against claims made by employees or former employees for injuries or illnesses suffered as a result of working for you. It applies to all employees, including part-timers, trainees, and some sub-contractors.

You can be fined £2,500 for each day that you don’t have it.

Public liability insurance

You will also need to consider public liability insurance. This is often a contractual requirement with larger clients and many trades organisations. It protects you from third-party claims for injuries or damage. These types of claims are common and can total thousands of pounds.

The sorts of incidents covered include damage caused to property as a result of the vermin control methods you use, or accidentally causing someone harm, e.g. if they mistakenly handle a toxic substance.

Professional indemnity insurance

This relates to advice you give which turns out to be wrong and causes a client a financial loss. This advice could be in relation to methods used for controlling pests or substances used.

Tools insurance

If you have any specific tools you cannot work without, you should consider getting them insured too. With tools insurance, any equipment that is lost or solen can be replaced quickly, without having to absorb significant costs.

How do I get insurance?

Choose an insurance company with experience of insuring different trades. They will usually offer a bundle of all the main insurance products you need, with the option to add extra cover as needed. You can also buy the different insurance types separately.

How much will my pest and vermin control insurance cost?

This will depend on a few factors including:

• how much cover you need
• how your business is set up
• how many (if any) employees you have
• what type of work you do
• your claims history.

If you are working as a pest and vermin controller, it’s important to make sure your business is set up correctly. That means having the right training and equipment, but it also includes having adequate insurance.

Why do I need public liability insurance?

Public liability insurance covers you for third-party claims made against you. For example, if you attend an office building and use chemicals or traps and, as a result, someone is hurt, or their property is damaged, public liability will cover the costs if they choose to sue you.

These types of claims are common and can quickly add up to many thousands of pounds. If you are found to be at fault and can’t pay, your business and assets may be at risk. For this reason, many larger clients will insist you have this kind of insurance before they contract with you.

Does a pest and vermin controller need employers’ liability insurance?

This will depend on your circumstances. It is a legal requirement to have employers’ liability insurance if you employ anyone, including part-time staff and trainees. If you don’t have this insurance when you are required to do so, you can be fined £2,500 per day.

Employers’ liability insurance protects you if an employee or former employee suffers an injury or illness while working for you.

What is professional indemnity insurance, and do I need it?

Professional indemnity insurance covers claims for financial loss caused by professional advice you give which turns out to be wrong or negligent.

As a pest and vermin control professional, you may be asked to give advice about treatment methods or techniques that should be used to exterminate pests or vermin during the course of your work. If this is the case, you should consider this type of insurance.

If a method you have recommended causes a client to incur damage or losses, the cost to you and your business could be significant. Your business could be at risk if you can’t pay a court order to cover the client’s costs.

Is there any other insurance I need?

If your tools are vital for you work, you should consider getting tools insurance. That way, if they are lost or stolen, you can get them replaced quickly and get back to work.

How much does pest and vermin control insurance cost?

This will depend on:

• the size of your business
• the sort of work you do
• the amount of insurance you need

It’s relatively straightforward to get a quote online for all the types of insurance you need, in one convenient bundle. Get in touch with an experienced insurer for details.

Pest and vermin controllers need to consider robust professional insurance, just like any other business. However, it’s not always easy to know whether you need basic insurance or additional cover to ensure you and your business are properly protected.

What are the main types of insurance I need?

There are three main types of cover you will need to consider:

• public liability insurance
• employers’ liability insurance
• professional indemnity insurance

What is public liability insurance?

Public liability insurance protects your business against claims by third parties for damage to their property or physical injuries your business may be liable for.

Examples include injury to members of the public caused by the methods of pest control you use, such as someone getting a hand caught in a trap, or chemical damage caused to property.

Public liability claims are common. As a result, most large organisations will insist you have public liability cover before they will work with you.

What is employers’ liability insurance?

Employers’ liability insurance protects you against claims made by an employee or former employee for harm or illness suffered while working for you.

If you have any employees, even if they are part timers or trainees, you must have employers’ liability cover. You can be fined for every day you don’t have it, when you should.

What is professional indemnity insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance protects your business if you give professional advice which turns out to be negligent, causing the client a financial loss. This might be advice about different control methods and techniques, or the equipment to be used.

What additional insurance do I need for pest and vermin control?

There are a few other types of insurance you may need as a pest and vermin controller. First, you should consider insurance for your tools. That way, if they are lost or stolen, you will be able to get them replaced quickly so you can get back to work.

You should also make sure you have proper vehicle insurance for your van, if you have one, as your personal car insurance won’t usually cover you for work.

If you have premises that you work from, you must make sure they are properly insured too. Finally, you may wish to consider insurance cover for things like jury service or legal defence costs, which may otherwise result in a significant drain on you or your business’ resources.