Question: I’ve been talking to other smallholders to try and find out what I need in terms of public liability for our land. Although I am very careful with fencing, I am particularly worried about escaping livestock.

We’ve enlisted the help of Kally Shane, from H&H Insurance Brokers, on how to protect your smallholding against potential compensation claims.

Kally says: A public liability insurance protects you against incidents involving members of the public that could occur in connection with your farming activities. It covers a multitude of potential events which could happen in relation to your smallholding, from an accident taking place while a walker is using a footpath crossing your land, to your cattle or sheep escaping and damaging other people’s property, such as a garden or building. Public liability insurance covers you against the cost of any potential compensation claims from third parties for personal injuries, loss of or damage to property, and death.

Is public liability insurance a legal requirement?
While public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for farmers, it is essential if you want to avoid hefty compensation claims, which can sometimes run into millions of pounds. Check your insurance policy to see if it includes public liability insurance as standard. If not, you will need to speak to your insurance broker to make any changes required.

The unpredictability of a working farm, whatever its size or makeup, means that it’s essential you are protected against any potential risks. What can I do to help prevent potential public liability claims on my smallholding? You can help reduce potential risks to people who come into contact with your smallholding by taking steps to make your property as safe as possible. Keep any rights of way on your land well-maintained by taking measures such as fixing broken fencing and stiles, removing any loose tree branches along the route, and ensuring that any animals kept in those fields are safe to be near the public.

If you run a tourism venture such as a campsite or holiday let, make sure that guests are aware of any no-go areas on your property which could bring them into contact with working machinery, chemicals or livestock.

Do I need employer’s liability insurance?
If anyone helps out on your smallholding, whether as a paid employee or an unpaid volunteer including friends who are working under your instruction, then employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement which must be included on your policy. Employers’ liability provides protection against any potential compensation claims made by employees who have been injured at work, or suffered a work-related illness or disease.

Kally Shane is Head of Operations at independent insurance broker, H&H Insurance Brokers. The firm specialises in agricultural and rural insurance and offers a Smallholder Protect policy aimed at farms of 50 acres or less. For more information visit www.hhinsurancebrokers.co.uk or call 01228 406290.

This article extract was taken from the July 2024 edition of The Country Smallholder. To read the article in full, you can buy the issue here.

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