Why do Community Transport Organisations need Public Liability Insurance?
Community Transport organisations play a vital role in helping people stay connected, providing accessible and independent travel for those who need it most.
Even with the highest standards of care, accidents and unexpected incidents can happen. Public Liability Insurance helps protect your organisation financially if someone is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your activities. It may also be extended to include abuse cover, protecting against the financial and legal impact of abuse allegations.
As CTA's official insurance partner, the Charity Insurance specialists at WRS Insurance Brokers explain what Community Transport organisations need to know.
What is Public Liability Insurance?
Public Liability Insurance helps cover legal costs and compensation if a third party is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your organisation's activities.
01
Injury claims
Compensation claims if someone is injured as a result of your activities.
02
Property damage
Damage to third-party property, including mobility equipment and personal belongings.
03
Legal costs
Legal defence costs, including solicitor fees, court expenses and settlements.
Whether someone is boarding a vehicle, attending one of your events or visiting your premises, there is always the potential for accidents or property damage. The right insurance can help your organisation manage unexpected claims and continue providing valuable services with confidence.
What could a claim look like?
Every Community Transport organisation faces different risks. Examples include:
Passenger injury
A passenger slips while boarding one of your community minibuses and suffers an injury.
Property damage
A driver accidentally damages a customer's property while assisting with mobility equipment.
Visitor injury
A visitor trips over equipment at your depot or office and makes a compensation claim.
Abuse allegation
A passenger alleges that a driver behaved inappropriately during a journey. Even if the allegation is ultimately unfounded, responding can involve legal costs and reputational challenges. Where Public Liability Insurance includes abuse cover, it can help protect your organisation against the associated costs and compensation, subject to the policy terms, conditions and insurer acceptance. Abuse cover of up to £5 million may be available through WRS's specialist Charity Insurance arrangements.
Understanding abuse cover
Not all abuse cover operates in the same way, so it is important to understand how your policy responds if a claim is made.
| Type of cover | How it works |
|---|---|
| Claims-made | The policy must be active when the claim is made and reported, even if the incident happened several years earlier. Maintaining continuous cover is important. It is also worth checking whether you would need an extended reporting period or 'run-off' cover if your organisation closes or changes insurers. |
| Claims-occurring | Cover responds based on when the incident happened, rather than when the claim is reported. If the incident occurred while the policy was active, it may still respond after the policy has expired. |
Questions to ask when reviewing your insurance
- What types of allegations or claims are covered?
- Are legal defence costs included?
- Does my cover apply to current and former employees, volunteers or trustees?
- Are there any exclusions or limits that apply?
- Is my cover provided on a claims-made or claims-occurring basis?
If you are unsure how your policy works, reviewing the policy wording or speaking to your insurance provider can help ensure your organisation has appropriate protection.
How much does Public Liability Insurance cost?
Every organisation is different. The cost will depend on your activities, the risks you face and the level of cover you require.
- Organisation size
- Number of vehicles
- Drivers and volunteers
- Services provided
- Passenger numbers
- Level of cover
- Claims history
Insurance support for CTA members
Learn more about Public Liability Insurance, abuse cover and the insurance available to CTA members, or speak directly to WRS's specialist team.
Managing risk beyond insurance
Insurance is only one part of protecting your organisation. Insurers also expect Community Transport providers to have appropriate risk management measures in place.
This may include maintaining up-to-date safeguarding policies, risk assessments, staff and volunteer training, and operational procedures that reflect your day-to-day activities. These measures help reduce the likelihood of incidents while demonstrating good governance to insurers.
Practical support for CTA members
Access templates, policies and guidance to help you put the procedures insurers expect to see into practice.
How WRS Insurance Brokers can help
As the official insurance partner of CTA, WRS Insurance Brokers understands the unique risks Community Transport organisations face. With over 40 years' experience arranging specialist insurance for charities, WRS can help you find cover that reflects your organisation's activities, including, where appropriate, abuse cover.
If you are unsure whether your current policy includes abuse cover, or you would like to understand the difference between claims-made and claims-occurring cover, call 01206 760780 or email hello@wrsinsurance.co.uk.
WRS is proudly part of the Benefact Group, a charity-owned international family of financial services companies that gives all available profits to charity and good causes.
WRS Insurance Brokers is a trading name of SEIB Insurance Brokers Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration number: 479477.