Agricultural contractors play a vital role in the farming industry, providing specialist skills, machinery and labour that many farmers would struggle to justify investing in themselves.
From hedge cutting to crop spraying and slurry management to silaging, they successfully bridge the gap between small-scale family-run farms and the technical demands of modern farming.
But for those working in contracting, this specialist work also brings risk and in today’s climate, even a minor mistake can potentially lead to a costly legal claim.
Public liability insurance is designed to protect contractors against claims from third parties for injury or property damage. Yet too often, cover may be overlooked, underestimated, or assumed to be included in a standard policy. The reality is that the risks in contracting are growing, and so are the potential payouts.
The combination of more contractors operating, higher public awareness of rights, and escalating legal costs means liability exposures are increasing. Examples include:
- Spray drift: Pesticides carried by the wind damaging a neighbour’s crops or contaminating watercourses.
- Flying debris: Hedge trimmings, stones or branches hitting passing vehicles or walkers.
- Slips and trips: Members of the public injured while crossing land where contracting work is being carried out.
While it’s not a legal requirement for contractors or farmers, public liability insurance is essential to avoiding hefty compensation claims, which can sometimes run into millions of pounds. It provides cover for bodily injury to members of the public and for damage to third-party property such as vehicles, fencing or crops.
Never assume your policy includes public liability insurance. And even if it does, make sure the cover is right for your needs, as policies can differ widely. Some general policies may exclude work at height or near power lines, use of subcontractors unless specifically declared, damage caused by hazardous substances (like chemicals or sprays), and certain high-risk forestry operations.
If these exclusions apply and a claim arises, then the contractor is at risk of being left personally liable.
Apart from the financial protection, having robust public liability insurance reassures clients that you are professional, compliant, and able to stand behind your work. In a competitive market, that can make all the difference.
Working with an insurance broker who understands the industry’s unique challenges and risks will provide peace of mind that you have the right cover in place.
Our job is to understand how your business operates and tailor a policy that safeguards you, your team and your business against whatever the future may hold.
Agricultural contracting is high-skill, high-value and high-risk. Skimping on public liability cover can put years of hard work and investment at stake. Reviewing your policy and getting expert advice can be the difference between business continuity and financial disaster.
Note: The Kirkby Stephen office now has its own dedicated telephone number - call our team on on 01768 808010