Whether you run a manufacturing unit, a service business, a property-management firm, or a contractor operating in London, one of the fundamental protections you should have in place is commercial general liability (CGL) insurance. In the UK market this is often understood as public liability, product liability or a general liability insurance policy.
At Fraser Bond we help businesses, landlords, contractors and service providers understand how liability risks link to their operations, property exposures and contractual environment — ensuring you are not exposed to un-insured third-party claims or financial loss from liability events.
Commercial general liability insurance (CGL) is a broad liability cover that protects your business against third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage and other liabilities arising from your operations. In the UK this cover is more commonly labelled public liability insurance or commercial liability insurance.
Key components typically include:
Third-party bodily injury – e.g., a visitor to your premises is injured, or someone is harmed because of your business operations.
Third-party property damage – e.g., damage caused to a client’s property during your work, or a liability arising from your business-operations.
Product liability – If your business manufactures, supplies or installs a product, and that product causes damage or injury, your liability is covered under a CGL/PL type policy.
Legal defence costs – Covering legal expenses and compensation up to your policy limit if a claim is made against you.
London’s dense business environment and high-value property context create increased exposure to liability risks, so commercial general liability cover is especially important:
High foot-traffic and third-party exposure – If you operate in shared office buildings, multi-tenant commercial blocks or perform work in London’s property environment, the risk of a claim (injury or damage) is heightened.
Contractual obligations – Many service contracts, landlord management agreements or property-maintenance contracts require the contractor or service-provider to hold a minimum level of liability insurance.
Property risk linkage – For companies operating within property portfolios (maintenance, refurbishment, fit-out or tenant services), liability cover protects not just the business but also the property owner from downstream exposure.
Reputation and continuity – In London’s competitive market, a liability incident can damage your business reputation, lead to claim costs, force project delays and impact asset value. Having the right cover is part of a professional risk-management strategy.
When assessing commercial general liability insurance, you should review cover levels, key cost-drivers and policy features carefully.
Typical cover levels – Cover limits from £1 million upwards are common for public liability cover in the UK; many businesses opt for £5–£10 million depending on contract size and exposure.
Cost drivers:
Nature of your business operations (higher risk trades/interventions = higher premium).
Business size and turnover — larger operations or more physical work mean more exposure.
Location and client environment (central London sites, high-value property – higher risk).
Claims history and prior risk incidents.
Whether you handle products, tenant services, property maintenance (adds product liability, property risk).
Policy features to ensure:
The correct definition of ‘insured operations’ — what your business does and what exposures exist.
The policy limit suits worst-case exposure; under-insuring can leave significant gaps.
Clear exclusions and endorsements — know what is not covered (e.g., professional advice errors, pollution, asbestos) since CGL won’t cover everything.
Territorial and jurisdictional scope — e.g., work abroad or international clients may need wider cover.
Contractual obligations — if your client or landlord demands you hold a certain level of liability cover, ensure your policy matches.
Coordination with other insurance (employers’ liability, professional indemnity, property insurance) — liability alone won’t cover everything.
Fraser Bond recommends the following approach when selecting or reviewing your commercial general liability insurance:
Map your liability risks – Consider where your business interacts with third-parties (clients, visitors, tenants), whether you supply products or services, whether you operate in high-value property environments.
Check your contractual and client requirements – If you are engaged by a landlord, managing agent or property owner, ensure your liability cover meets any specified minimum limits.
Decide on appropriate limit and excess – Matching your exposure and business size; do not simply pick the lowest limit.
Review policy wording – Ensure your type of work, location and exposures are clearly covered; check for any exclusions relevant to your business.
Consider supplementary covers – If your business also gives advice or designs solutions, you may need professional indemnity; if you handle employees, you must have employers’ liability.
Compare providers and brokers – Liability insurance is specialised; use a broker or insurer experienced in your field or property-linked operations.
Keep documentation current and accessible – Proof of cover is often required for contracts, tenders or property-related engagements.
Review annually or when your business changes – If you expand operations, add new services, move into international work or take on higher-risk contracts, update your cover accordingly.
Fraser Bond offers a high-value advisory service:
We understand how liability risks tie into your business operations, asset exposure and contractual frameworks, especially in London’s property and service-economy.
We help you interpret policy documentation, ensure cover-match with your specific exposures and client/landlord contract requirements.
We support you in ensuring your insurance aligns with your risk-management strategy, asset protection, and business growth.
Our specialist insight into property-linked services means we can advise businesses whose operations intersect with landlord/tenant frameworks, property portfolios and service-contracts.
If your business in London or the UK trades with third-parties, handles property, provides services or supplies products, make sure you are properly protected with commercial general liability insurance.
Visit FraserBond.com or contact our London advisory team for tailored guidance on liability cover, policy review and aligning your insurance with your business, asset-and-contract environment.
