What Is Combined Liability Insurance?

Combined liability insurance is a single policy that includes:

• Public Liability Insurance

• Employers’ Liability Insurance

• Professional Indemnity Insurance

This is the cover fire protection companies most commonly need to meet site, legal, and client requirements.

Rather than managing three separate policies, combined cover keeps everything under one roof — with one renewal date, one insurer, and one payment schedule.

Why It’s Ideal for Fire Protection Firms

Fire protection businesses often operate across:

• Installation (alarms, mist, suppression, dry risers)

• Design and specification

• Certification and commissioning

• Ongoing maintenance and callouts

• Multi-trade commercial packages

Each of these roles carries different risks — and most require multiple insurance types. A combined liability policy ensures you’re properly covered at all times.

What’s Included?

Public Liability Insurance

Covers injury or property damage caused by your work.
Example: You damage a client’s ceiling during a detector install — or cause disruption that results in business loss.

Typically required by:

• Commercial and public sector clients

• Main contractors

• Facilities managers and property firms

Employers’ Liability Insurance

Legally required if you employ anyone — including subcontractors, apprentices, or office staff.

Covers compensation claims if someone working for you is injured or becomes ill because of their work.

• £10 million minimum cover (as required by law)

• Fines apply if you don’t have it when required

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Covers claims that your advice, specification, design, or certification caused financial loss.

Example: You sign off a mist system design that’s later deemed non-compliant. The client claims for remedial costs — and your PI cover responds.

Essential if you:

• Offer system design or layout services

• Subcontract design but remain responsible

• Issue commissioning or sign-off certificates

• Work under design & build contracts

Additional Options to Bundle

Most insurers offering combined liability will also allow you to add:

• Tools & Equipment Insurance

• Contractors All Risk (CAR) Insurance

• Product Liability Insurance

• Hired-in plant or temporary works cover

This creates a fully tailored package — ideal for firms offering turnkey fire protection services.

Benefits of Combining Your Cover

• One point of contact for all claims and admin

• Consistent renewal and billing cycles

• Lower costs than separate policies

• No gaps or overlaps in protection

• Faster documentation for site inductions and tenders

For growing companies, this simplicity makes a big difference — especially when taking on more staff, contracts, or higher-value jobs.

When Combined Liability Makes Sense

You should consider a combined liability policy if you:

• Employ a team of engineers or installers

• Handle both design and installation in-house

• Subcontract some or all system design

• Work on public sector, education, retail, or commercial sites

• Need quick, consistent documentation for project onboarding

• Want to streamline renewals and paperwork

It’s also ideal if you’re expanding and need a scalable, long-term solution.

Who Offers It?

Not all insurers offer proper combined liability cover for fire protection trades — especially those that include design or certification. It’s important to use a broker that understands your industry and knows which insurers will actually accept your work.

Get Combined Liability Cover with ABA Insurance

At ABA Insurance, we specialise in cover for UK fire protection firms. We’ll build a combined policy around:

• The real risks you face

• Your role in each contract

• Your growth plans and staff structure

• Your client expectations

Need a quote or want to review your current policy?
Call us on 01474 833 322 or get a fast online quote at: www.abainsurance.co.uk/trades-insurance-quote/