![\"Image](\"https:\/\/www.policybee.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/scales-of-justice-law-civil-liability-concept_shutterstock_616351097.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCivil liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heard the term a thousand times before but not sure what it means? You\u2019re not alone. It sounds like something that belongs in a law court rather than in everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So why does it matter?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because civil liability is very much a part of everyday life. Civil matters concern ordinary citizens, their rights and their protection so, if you\u2019re responsible for the civil matter in question, you can be sure it’s taken very seriously. You’ll almost certainly have to Do Something About It.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s especially important if you own a business because there\u2019s always a chance you could be on the receiving end of a civil claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back to basics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAt its simplest, civil liability means being responsible for actions and practices that could damage others but which aren’t criminal. So they\u2019re not pre-meditated or against the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, civil liability concerns the times when there isn\u2019t any intention to cause harm, but harm occurred anyway. If you\u2019re a business owner, that might mean having a faulty piece of equipment that injures someone. Or doing a piece of work that\u2019s judged not up to scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cases like these, the person affected might decide you bear civil liability for whatever\u2019s gone wrong, and try to claim damages. And that can leave you open to some pretty hefty compensation payments, not to mention legal costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It doesn\u2019t end there either, because we\u2019re not just talking about your<\/em> defence costs. If you end up on the losing side, you\u2019ll have to pay the claimant\u2019s expenses too.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd did you know you can face a civil claim even after you\u2019ve already been through a criminal prosecution \u2013 say for a breach of Health & Safety regulations? If you\u2019re found guilty, the person who\u2019s suffered the damage can make a second, civil claim against you for compensation. A double blow, then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of which leads us neatly to another important question: is there anything you can do to protect yourself against civil claims?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Easing the pain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYes there is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professional indemnity (PI) insurance <\/a>is your guardian angel when it comes to claims against your business, and does the job of covering legal costs and compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWell, some<\/em> PI insurance does.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBecause not all PI policies are created equal \u2013 which means you need to be aware exactly what your policy does and doesn’t cover. Otherwise, you could find yourself seriously out of pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of professional indemnity insurance lies the distinction between policies that deal with negligence only, and those that offer full civil liability. It might not sound like much, but it makes a world of difference. And it affects whether or not your business is covered for a claim against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A matter of negligence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNegligence only policies catch the eye because they\u2019re cheaper. But that\u2019s only because they cover less. They\u2019re only concerned with what\u2019s in the policy wording \u2013 and that means any claim scenario not specifically mentioned is excluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s fine if negligence cover is all you need. After all, you know your business best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But let\u2019s say you accidently break your client\u2019s confidence, leaking details of an under-wraps project, and she sues you for the damage caused. Depending on your policy\u2019s wording, your insurance might not cover it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other thing about negligence only policies is that they\u2019re based on a finite pot of money. Depending on which level of cover you\u2019ve opted for, they\u2019ll only cover compensation and legal fees up to that limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That means if you\u2019re unlucky enough to be hit with two big claims that take you over your annual limit, you\u2019ll have to find the cash to cover the overspill yourself. And that can hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking responsibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCivil liability policies throw the net wider and take care of both negligence-based and<\/strong> civil claims. They\u2019re more or less foolproof and cover your business for any claim made against it in a civil court, for whatever reason \u2013 unless it\u2019s explicitly excluded within the policy wording.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat can be especially important if, say, you\u2019re unaware new regulations have come into force, and you should have put new practices in place but haven\u2019t. If you\u2019re now operating outside the regulations, no matter how innocently, and a claim comes in as a result, your civil liability still covers you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This type of policy also pays out differently to negligence only PI. Claims are treated as standalone, so even if you make more than a single claim in a year, as long as each one falls below your maximum level of cover, it\u2019s taken care of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plus, there\u2019s another benefit. Legal costs are handled separately to any compensation due. And that means you\u2019re covered for anything spent on your defence up to the same threshold as the overall policy. It doesn\u2019t come out of a combined fund that also pays out compensation, and is treated independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something to think about<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAt the end of the day, only you can judge how likely it is your business will be on the receiving end of a civil claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But now you know what civil liability is, as well as why it\u2019s relevant and what a civil claim entails. It\u2019s a good idea to remember that the type of professional indemnity insurance you buy has important consequences and is just as significant as the level of cover you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more help and advice about what insurance you might need, call 0345 222 5391<\/strong> and talk to a friendly expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage used under license from Shutterstock.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Civil liability. Heard the term a thousand times before but not sure what it means? You\u2019re not alone. It sounds like something that belongs in a law court rather than in everyday life. So why does it matter? Because civil … Continue reading
And did you know you can face a civil claim even after you\u2019ve already been through a criminal prosecution \u2013 say for a breach of Health & Safety regulations? If you\u2019re found guilty, the person who\u2019s suffered the damage can make a second, civil claim against you for compensation. A double blow, then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of which leads us neatly to another important question: is there anything you can do to protect yourself against civil claims?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Easing the pain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYes there is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professional indemnity (PI) insurance <\/a>is your guardian angel when it comes to claims against your business, and does the job of covering legal costs and compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWell, some<\/em> PI insurance does.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBecause not all PI policies are created equal \u2013 which means you need to be aware exactly what your policy does and doesn’t cover. Otherwise, you could find yourself seriously out of pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the heart of professional indemnity insurance lies the distinction between policies that deal with negligence only, and those that offer full civil liability. It might not sound like much, but it makes a world of difference. And it affects whether or not your business is covered for a claim against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A matter of negligence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNegligence only policies catch the eye because they\u2019re cheaper. But that\u2019s only because they cover less. They\u2019re only concerned with what\u2019s in the policy wording \u2013 and that means any claim scenario not specifically mentioned is excluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s fine if negligence cover is all you need. After all, you know your business best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But let\u2019s say you accidently break your client\u2019s confidence, leaking details of an under-wraps project, and she sues you for the damage caused. Depending on your policy\u2019s wording, your insurance might not cover it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other thing about negligence only policies is that they\u2019re based on a finite pot of money. Depending on which level of cover you\u2019ve opted for, they\u2019ll only cover compensation and legal fees up to that limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That means if you\u2019re unlucky enough to be hit with two big claims that take you over your annual limit, you\u2019ll have to find the cash to cover the overspill yourself. And that can hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking responsibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCivil liability policies throw the net wider and take care of both negligence-based and<\/strong> civil claims. They\u2019re more or less foolproof and cover your business for any claim made against it in a civil court, for whatever reason \u2013 unless it\u2019s explicitly excluded within the policy wording.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat can be especially important if, say, you\u2019re unaware new regulations have come into force, and you should have put new practices in place but haven\u2019t. If you\u2019re now operating outside the regulations, no matter how innocently, and a claim comes in as a result, your civil liability still covers you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This type of policy also pays out differently to negligence only PI. Claims are treated as standalone, so even if you make more than a single claim in a year, as long as each one falls below your maximum level of cover, it\u2019s taken care of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plus, there\u2019s another benefit. Legal costs are handled separately to any compensation due. And that means you\u2019re covered for anything spent on your defence up to the same threshold as the overall policy. It doesn\u2019t come out of a combined fund that also pays out compensation, and is treated independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something to think about<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAt the end of the day, only you can judge how likely it is your business will be on the receiving end of a civil claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But now you know what civil liability is, as well as why it\u2019s relevant and what a civil claim entails. It\u2019s a good idea to remember that the type of professional indemnity insurance you buy has important consequences and is just as significant as the level of cover you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more help and advice about what insurance you might need, call 0345 222 5391<\/strong> and talk to a friendly expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage used under license from Shutterstock.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Civil liability. Heard the term a thousand times before but not sure what it means? You\u2019re not alone. It sounds like something that belongs in a law court rather than in everyday life. So why does it matter? Because civil … Continue reading
Well, some<\/em> PI insurance does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because not all PI policies are created equal \u2013 which means you need to be aware exactly what your policy does and doesn’t cover. Otherwise, you could find yourself seriously out of pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the heart of professional indemnity insurance lies the distinction between policies that deal with negligence only, and those that offer full civil liability. It might not sound like much, but it makes a world of difference. And it affects whether or not your business is covered for a claim against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Negligence only policies catch the eye because they\u2019re cheaper. But that\u2019s only because they cover less. They\u2019re only concerned with what\u2019s in the policy wording \u2013 and that means any claim scenario not specifically mentioned is excluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s fine if negligence cover is all you need. After all, you know your business best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But let\u2019s say you accidently break your client\u2019s confidence, leaking details of an under-wraps project, and she sues you for the damage caused. Depending on your policy\u2019s wording, your insurance might not cover it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other thing about negligence only policies is that they\u2019re based on a finite pot of money. Depending on which level of cover you\u2019ve opted for, they\u2019ll only cover compensation and legal fees up to that limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That means if you\u2019re unlucky enough to be hit with two big claims that take you over your annual limit, you\u2019ll have to find the cash to cover the overspill yourself. And that can hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Civil liability policies throw the net wider and take care of both negligence-based and<\/strong> civil claims. They\u2019re more or less foolproof and cover your business for any claim made against it in a civil court, for whatever reason \u2013 unless it\u2019s explicitly excluded within the policy wording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That can be especially important if, say, you\u2019re unaware new regulations have come into force, and you should have put new practices in place but haven\u2019t. If you\u2019re now operating outside the regulations, no matter how innocently, and a claim comes in as a result, your civil liability still covers you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of policy also pays out differently to negligence only PI. Claims are treated as standalone, so even if you make more than a single claim in a year, as long as each one falls below your maximum level of cover, it\u2019s taken care of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, there\u2019s another benefit. Legal costs are handled separately to any compensation due. And that means you\u2019re covered for anything spent on your defence up to the same threshold as the overall policy. It doesn\u2019t come out of a combined fund that also pays out compensation, and is treated independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the day, only you can judge how likely it is your business will be on the receiving end of a civil claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But now you know what civil liability is, as well as why it\u2019s relevant and what a civil claim entails. It\u2019s a good idea to remember that the type of professional indemnity insurance you buy has important consequences and is just as significant as the level of cover you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more help and advice about what insurance you might need, call 0345 222 5391<\/strong> and talk to a friendly expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image used under license from Shutterstock.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Civil liability. Heard the term a thousand times before but not sure what it means? You\u2019re not alone. It sounds like something that belongs in a law court rather than in everyday life. So why does it matter? Because civil … Continue reading A matter of negligence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Taking responsibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Something to think about<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n