Anthony, I found Keystone Insurance to be extremely helpful while trying to organise my business insurance. They gave excellent advice to help me decide what policy suited my needs best and they had it organised immediately. I will definitely recommend Keystone to others.
Ciara Whelan
Director
The Volunteer Projects Ltd.
Welcome to Keystone Insurance,
Ireland’s Premier Business Insurance Specialists.
What we do?
- Keystone offers business insurance solutions to businesses across Ireland
- We focus on a selection of sectors including: Professional Services, SME, Manufacturing, Distribution, Hospitality, Retail, Construction & Industrial
- We also provide both business & personal financial services solutions to our clients
What makes us different?
- Customers tell us we’re unlike other companies
- Click here to read some of our customer testimonials
- By Specialising Exclusively in Business Insurance We’ve Developed a Real understanding of our chosen sectors
- Everything we do is for our customers’ peace of mind
Why Keystone?
- Everything we do is for our customers’ peace of mind
- No Hard Sell
- Specialist advice to your exact requirements
- Access to all the major insurers
- Secure, respected & well-established insurance brokers
- Professional, efficient & discrete service
- Friendly & experienced staff
We have access to hundreds of national &
multinational insurers including the following:
0% Transaction Fee on all Card Payments
We are a nationwide insurance brokerage house who offer specialist insurance packages to all classes of business.
From our headquarters in Dundalk Co Louth we service a large and valued client base from every corner of Ireland and we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service.
You can be certain that you will receive the service, experience & professionalism that you deserve as our specialist team only offers business insurance and are not a jack of all trades! Our experienced & professional team quickly arranges quotes for all classes of business insurance.
Public Liability Insurance – 10 Frequently Asked Questions.
Why is Public Liability Insurance so Important for Irish Businesses?
For Irish Businesses, Public Liability in today’s litigious society is more important than ever. It is essential that your business holds this insurance as your business activities mean that you can be sued by the public for your negligence. Although the ‘claims culture’ in Ireland is not as rampant as in the USA or the UK, more and more people, instead of accepting that loss or damage can happen by accident, are encouraged to believe that it must have been through someone’s negligence, with the result that they sue, hence the need for insuring against such claims. In particular, the arrival & growth of ‘no-win no-fee’ agreements and legal expenses cover has meant that access to the courts has never been easier. This ease of access, together with the perception that judges will award compensation in virtually every case has resulted in the growth of Public Liability claims in the last decade.
In recent times the insurance premiums for public liability have reduced and the ones currently available make it more affordable than ever.
What is Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance is an insurance policy designed to cover your business in the event that you cause bodily injury or death to a member of the public or damage to a third party’s property.
A third party could claim that as a direct result of your negligence they have suffered a loss whether it is damage to their property or they have suffered a bodily injury. In the event that you are pursued by someone who feels that your business activities are a direct result of their loss they could sue you for compensation/damages.
Although this insurance will not prevent claims from happening it will cover the cost of compensation if there is a claim. Such claims are notorious for running into hundreds of thousands of Euro.
If you’re not insured for public liability you could be liable to pay the cost of the compensation awarded against you. Unfortunately, if you are unable to pay the compensation a court may pursue you for your assets such as your home, vehicles and any other assets. If you have the insurance then the policy will pick up the cost of the claim minus the excess which is usually around €1,000.
Is Public Liability Insurance compulsory by law?
No. Unlike motor insurance, Public liability is not compulsory under Irish law. It is however essential insurance cover for a business to have. In the event that you cause damage to another person’s property or cause death or bodily injury you can be sued for compensation/damages. Without Public Liability Insurance you will be liable to pay for the compensation awarded against you/your business which can run into hundreds of thousands of Euro.
Furthermore, many primary contractors refuse to allow sub contractors operate on site without proof that they hold adequate public & employer’s liability. So, although it may not be a legal requirement to hold this cover in practice it is necessary to perform contracts.
Is Public Liability Insurance and product liability insurance the same thing?
Product liability insurance will cover your business in the event that you provide a product to a third party which due to it being faulty or its poor design it causes damage to property, death or bodily injury.
Public liability will cover your business in the event that due to your negligence (lack of care) a third party suffers a loss i.e. bodily injury or death and/or damage to property.
Without Products Liability cover a public liability policy will not cover you in the event that you provide a faulty product to a third party. However, product liability is usually included with a public liability policy. Under a public liability policy you will typically be covered for an equal amount of products liability E.G. – If you have €2.6M public liability you will have €2.6M Products Liability.
Is Public Liability Insurance expensive?
Public liability rates have reduced over recent years and we believe the rates we charge are a fair rate for the risk involved.
Premiums vary depending on your business activities, the level of cover you require, your turnover and the number of employees your business has.
At Keystone Insurance we deal with many insurers and insurance markets to ensure that we provide our customers with the best possible premiums and the most comprehensive cover available.
Call us today to discuss your needs!
How fast can I get quotation for Public Liability Insurance?
The time it takes to get a quotation depends on the size and complexity of your business. The majority of our packages are quoted instantly. More complex cases take longer and we usually achieve a 24 hour turnaround.
Can I buy Public Liability Insurance on its own?
You are able to purchase the insurance in isolation (i.e. on its own), although product liability insurance typically comes free with it. Some insurance companies will not sell you public liability without employer’s liability insurance if your business has employees and it is essential that you hold employer’s liability insurance if you have any employees.
What level of Public Liability Insurance cover should my business have?
The typical level of cover under this insurance policy is €2.6 million although it is possible to get lower and higher amounts. Many larger contracts & local authority contracts will require €6.5 Million cover. In the event that higher levels are required for specific contracts this can be arranged.
What is the difference between employer’s liability insurance and public liability insurance?
Employer’s liability insurance will cover your business in the event that one of your employees sues you claiming that as a result of your negligence (lack of care) they have suffered a bodily injury or death. Public liability insurance on its own will not cover your business against a claim from an employee. So, it’s essential that you hold employer’s liability insurance if you have any employees or use ‘labour only’ sub contractors.
What are the consequences of me not having Public Liability Insurance?
Not having the insurance will leave your business vulnerable if a third party decides to sue you for compensation as due to your businesses negligence (your lack of care) they have suffered a loss, i.e. bodily injury and/or death.
Public liability claims are becoming more frequent as members of the public have a greater awareness of their rights and since the introduction of no win no fee claims help people have found it even easier to make claims against unsuspecting businesses. The claims easily run into hundreds of thousands of Euro, if your business does not have insurance and you will be liable to pay whatever amount is awarded against you.
Contact our team to discuss your public liability insurance needs on 1890 987 600.
