Business Insurance
Compare Business Insurance Quotes
Business insurance that protects your business from everyday risks.
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What Is Business Insurance?
Business insurance is a group of policies that protect companies against financial losses from accidents, legal claims, property damage and unexpected events.
Each policy covers a different risk. You choose the combination that matches your industry, your team size and the way you work.
In the UK, most businesses combine two or three policies into a single package. Premiums start from around £65 per year for a basic policy and rise depending on the cover levels you choose.
How To Compare Business Insurance Quotes
Comparing quotes from multiple insurers takes a few minutes and can cut your premium by 30% or more.
Enter your business details
Provide your trade, turnover, number of employees and the cover types you need. The form takes around two minutes to complete.
Review your quotes
Compare prices from multiple UK insurers side by side. Every provider on the panel is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and regulated in the UK.
Check the details
Look beyond the headline price. Check what each policy includes, what the excess is and whether the insurer has a strong claims process.
Buy your policy
Once you have compared cover and cost, buy online or over the phone. Most policies can start the same day.
What Does Business Insurance Cover?
Business insurance protects against financial losses from accidents, legal claims, property damage and events that stop you trading.
Liability claims
Public liability insurance covers injury or property damage you cause to members of the public. Employers' liability insurance covers claims from staff who are injured or made ill at work.
Professional mistakes
Professional indemnity insurance pays legal costs and compensation if a client claims your advice or services caused them a financial loss. It covers errors, omissions and negligent advice.
Property and equipment
Commercial property insurance protects your premises, stock, tools and equipment against fire, flooding, theft and accidental damage.
Lost income
Business interruption cover replaces lost income if an insured event such as a fire or flood stops you trading. It pays out until your turnover returns to pre-incident levels or until the policy limit is reached.
Legal disputes
Legal expenses insurance covers the cost of employment tribunals, contract disputes and regulatory investigations. Most policies include access to a legal helpline for day-to-day queries.
| Risk | What Is Covered | What Is Not Covered |
| Liability claims | Injury or damage to third parties and employees | Deliberate harm or criminal acts |
| Professional errors | Client financial loss from your advice or services | Contractual penalties or guarantees |
| Property damage | Fire, flood, theft and accidental damage to premises | Wear and tear or gradual deterioration |
| Lost income | Revenue lost during an insured shutdown | Losses from uninsured events |
| Legal disputes | Tribunal, contract and regulatory defence costs | Fines or penalties imposed by a regulator |
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What Types Of Business Insurance Can You Get?
There are two broad categories: cover types that any business can buy, and industry-specific policies designed for particular trades.
Cover by policy type
The three core policies are public liability, employers' liability and professional indemnity. Most small businesses start with one or two of these and add extras as they grow.
Common add-ons include business interruption cover, legal expenses insurance, product liability insurance and cyber liability insurance.
Cover by industry
Tradesman insurance bundles public liability with tool and equipment cover for builders, plumbers and electricians. Events insurance covers one-off or recurring events from weddings to festivals.
Dog walking insurance covers pet professionals against claims if an animal in their care injures someone. Cleaning insurance protects domestic and commercial cleaners against accidental damage to client property.
Bouncy castle insurance is specialist cover for inflatable hire companies, covering injuries to users and damage to equipment.
| Policy Type | Who It Is For | Typical Cover Limit |
| Public liability | Any business with public contact | £1m to £10m |
| Employers' liability | Businesses with employees | £5m minimum (legal) |
| Professional indemnity | Advisers, consultants, designers | £50k to £5m |
| Tradesman insurance | Builders, plumbers, electricians | £1m to £5m |
| Events insurance | Event organisers and hirers | £1m to £10m |
| Commercial property | Businesses with premises | Rebuild value |
What Is Not Covered By Business Insurance?
Every policy has exclusions, and understanding them prevents unpleasant surprises at claim time.
Deliberate acts and criminal behaviour
No insurer covers losses caused by intentional damage, fraud or criminal activity. If a court finds that harm was deliberate, the claim will be refused.
Wear and tear
Gradual deterioration of equipment, vehicles or premises is not covered. Insurance protects against sudden and unexpected events, not routine maintenance costs.
Contractual penalties
Penalties for missing a deadline or failing to deliver on a contract are typically excluded. Professional indemnity covers negligent advice, but not contractual guarantees you have given a client.
Uninsured risks
A public liability policy does not cover employee injuries, and employers' liability does not cover damage to customer property. Each policy covers a specific risk, so gaps appear when you do not have the right combination.
Work you are not insured for
If you carry out work outside the trade or activities declared on your policy, any resulting claim will be refused. Always update your insurer when your business activities change.
Is Business Insurance A Legal Requirement?
Employers' liability insurance is mandatory for most UK businesses with staff. Other policies are legally optional but often required by clients and contracts.
Employers' liability
Under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, businesses with employees must hold at least £5 million of cover. Failing to have this insurance can result in fines of up to £2,500 for every day you are uninsured.
The Health and Safety Executive enforces compliance. The law applies to full-time, part-time, temporary and apprentice staff.
Public liability
Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement. However, many clients, landlords and event venues require proof of cover before you can work on their premises.
Read more in our guide to what public liability insurance is and how it protects your business.
Professional indemnity
Professional indemnity insurance is mandatory for some regulated professions including solicitors, accountants, financial advisers and architects. For other businesses it is optional but strongly recommended.
Who Needs Business Insurance?
Most UK businesses benefit from at least one type of business insurance, from sole traders working from home to companies with large teams.
Sole traders and freelancers
Self-employed professionals use public liability or professional indemnity insurance to protect against claims from clients. Even without employees, a single claim can cost thousands in legal fees.
Businesses with employees
If you employ anyone, even a part-time worker, employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement. Most employers also add public liability to cover risks involving customers and visitors.
Tradespeople and contractors
Builders, electricians, plumbers and other tradespeople need cover for tools, equipment and liability risks when working on customer property. Many main contractors require proof of insurance before allowing sub-contractors on site.
Vehicle-based businesses
Businesses that rely on vehicles need specialist motor cover. Van insurance covers commercial vehicles, fleet insurance covers multiple vehicles under one policy, and taxi insurance covers fare-paying passenger transport.
Customer-facing businesses
Shops, restaurants, salons and hospitality businesses use public liability insurance to cover accidents involving members of the public on their premises.
How Does A Business Insurance Claim Work?
When something goes wrong, you contact your insurer, provide evidence and they handle the rest.
Report the incident
Contact your insurer as soon as possible after an accident, injury or loss. Most providers require notification within 24 to 48 hours and offer a dedicated claims line.
Gather your evidence
Photograph any damage, note the time, date and location, and collect witness details. If a third party is involved, exchange contact and insurance information.
Keep receipts for any emergency repairs or temporary measures you take to prevent further damage. Your insurer will need these when assessing your claim.
What happens after you claim
Your insurer reviews the evidence, appoints a loss adjuster for larger claims and agrees a settlement. Most simple public liability claims are resolved within three to six months.
How Much Does Business Insurance Cost?
Business insurance costs from around £65 per year for a basic public liability policy. Most small businesses pay between £100 and £500 per year depending on the cover types they choose.
Prices by policy type
Sole traders with no employees and low-risk work pay the least. Businesses in construction, manufacturing or those with multiple staff pay more because the claims risk is higher.
| Policy Type | Starting Price (Annual) | Average Price (Annual) |
| Public liability | £65 | £81 |
| Professional indemnity | £73 | £150 |
| Employers' liability | £108 | £230 |
| Tradesman insurance | £70 | £120 |
| Commercial property | £150 | £900 |
What affects your premium
Insurers price policies based on your industry, number of employees, annual turnover, claims history and the cover limits you choose. Higher-risk trades and larger teams pay more.
Cover limits and excess
Higher cover limits increase your premium, but choosing a higher voluntary excess can bring the cost down. Most businesses choose between £1 million and £10 million for public liability.
A clean claims record over several years also helps keep costs lower. Some insurers offer discounts for businesses that have been claim-free for three or more years.
Monthly vs annual payment
Monthly payment plans are available but typically add 10 to 20% in interest charges over the year. Paying annually saves that cost entirely.
How To Save Money On Business Insurance
There are practical ways to reduce your premium without cutting the cover your business needs.
Bundle your policies
Many insurers offer combined packages that bundle public liability, employers' liability and other cover into one policy. The Association of British Insurers notes that bundled policies are typically 10 to 15% cheaper than buying each policy separately.
Compare quotes at renewal
Premiums vary widely between insurers. Comparing quotes each year rather than auto-renewing can save 20 to 30% on your annual premium.
Reduce your risk profile
Install security cameras, carry out regular risk assessments and give staff health and safety training. Insurers reward businesses that actively manage their risks.
Increase your voluntary excess
Choosing a higher excess reduces your premium. Set it at a level your business could cover from one month of trading income.
Only pay for what you need
Review your cover annually. If your business has changed, you may be paying for protection you no longer need.
Compare Business Insurance
Compare business insurance quotes from UK insurers in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Employers' liability insurance is mandatory if you have employees, with a minimum of £5 million cover required by law. Other policies are optional but often required by clients, landlords or contracts.
Yes, most insurers offer combined packages that bundle several policies into one. This is often cheaper than buying each policy separately and gives you a single renewal date.
There is no legal requirement if you have no employees. However, public liability or professional indemnity insurance protects you against claims that could otherwise cost thousands in legal fees.
Some policies extend to home-based work, but you should check with your insurer. Home insurance does not cover business activities, so separate business cover is usually needed.
Many policies can start the same day you buy them. Some insurers offer immediate cover online, while others start from a date you choose.
Yes. Many clients, landlords and main contractors require proof of public liability or professional indemnity insurance before they will hire you or allow you on site.
Yes, business insurance premiums are an allowable expense for tax purposes. You can deduct them from your taxable profits when filing your self-assessment or company tax return.
Public liability covers claims from members of the public, while employers' liability covers claims from your employees. If you have staff, you need both.
Online businesses still face risks such as data breaches, professional errors and client disputes. Professional indemnity and cyber liability insurance are the most common policies for online businesses.
Commercial property insurance covers theft of stock, tools and equipment from your premises. Tradesman insurance can also cover tools stolen from a vehicle, depending on the policy.
A sole trader with no employees can get basic public liability insurance from around £65 per year. Adding professional indemnity typically brings the total to £130 to £200 per year.
Without employers' liability, you face fines of up to £2,500 per day. Without other cover, a single claim could cost your business thousands in legal fees and compensation that you would have to pay from your own funds.
Yes, although your premium may be higher. Insurers ask about your claims history and adjust pricing based on the type, frequency and value of past claims.
