What is PAT Testing?

Portable Appliance Testing or PAT Testing is the process of checking electrical appliances for safety through a series of visual inspections and electronic tests.

Why do I need to have my appliances tested?

The best way of ensuring that your appliances are safe is to have a PAT test carried out on them. This is a good way for landlords to ensure that they are meeting their legal obligations to maintain high standards of electrical safety in their rented property.

What does Portable Appliance Testing involve?

To establish the safety and suitability of your electrical appliances, the competent person will carry out a visual inspection of the appliance, its plug and lead. For Class I[1] equipment they will also inject test signals into the cable and appliance to ensure their integrity.

Public liability (PL) is a type of business insurance designed to cover compensation and legal defence costs. If a member of the public claims they have been injured because of your work, PL can help. The same applies if they claim you have damaged their property while working.  

This cover helps to shield your business against unforeseen costs. This is true regardless of whether the incident happens on your premises or when you or your staff are out and about. 

Even when you do everything right, accidents can happen. Any business can face compensation claims and related legal fees. You might be a freelance professional or a sole trader working with tools. Alternatively, you own a small business or start-up. With the right cover, your business is protected. 

Product liability insurance is normally included as part of this cover. This can help if you are subject to a claim relating to a product you supply, maintain or sell. 

What's included in your public liability cover?

Public liability insurance covers a wide range of out-of-the-blue events. It can give you the comfort of knowing your business is protected. Ensuring you get the right insurance can help you to plan for key risks. 

Public liability insurance can help if a client or member of the public takes legal action against your business. This may include anyone who doesn’t work for your business, such as a visitor or supplier. Claims may arise as a result of injury to them or damage to their property.

This includes claims relating to products your company supplied, distributed, modified or sold. Product liability can help to cover this and is normally part of your public liability insurance.

Our public liability policy provides cover if:

• Someone is injured or becomes ill and blames it on you, your employees or your business activities

• There’s damage to a member of the public’s property because of your business

• A courier leaves a building you own in a hurry and slips on the stairs

• One of your employees causes damage to property at an off-site meeting

• A third party makes a claim relating to trespass, nuisance, false arrest or eviction

• You incur related legal costs, provided you seek our prior agreement to cover them

• You incur related costs linked to a breach of regulation – up to £100,000

• You, your directors or employees have to attend court as a witness in connection with a claim - up to £10,000 compensation