Understanding Public Liability Insurance for Holiday Lets

FAQs

Please note that these frequently asked questions are not a substitute for the policy wording. For full terms and conditions please see the policy documentation.

• Does public liability insurance cover damage from pets in a holiday home?

  No, public liability insurance doesn’t usually cover damage caused by pets. If you allow guests to bring pets, it’s worth including a pet policy, charging a deposit, or adding a pet fee to help cover any potential damage.

• Do you need public liability insurance for a holiday let?

  No, it’s not a legal requirement in the UK. However, it’s strongly recommended and some letting platforms or property managers may require you to have public liability insurance. Without it, you could face significant costs if a guest is injured, or their belongings are damaged.

• Does public liability insurance cover malicious damage by guests?

  Malicious damage usually isn’t included as standard, but some insurance policies may offer it as an optional extra. If you regularly rent out your property, it’s worth checking whether this type of cover is available as part of a wider holiday let insurance policy.

The sole purpose of this blog is to provide guidance on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication. You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited trading as Intasure accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.

FP1013-2025. Exp.08/07/2026