
Pub Insurance
Compare Pub Insurance Quotes
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Why Compare Pub Insurance Quotes At SimplyQuote.co.uk
Running a pub comes with unique risks—and comparing insurance through SimplyQuote helps you find tailored cover quickly, with support from FCA-regulated insurers.
From kitchen fires to rowdy customers, not every policy fits the demands of pub life.
That’s where SimplyQuote helps. In partnership with Quotezone, we connect you with insurers who understand hospitality—from traditional pubs to gastropubs and venues with late licences. You’ll fill out one simple form and see quotes from providers who offer cover that matches your premises, business model, and footfall.
Whether you serve food, host events, or run a drinks-only bar, comparing policies ensures you’re not overpaying—or leaving critical areas uninsured. You’ll also avoid wasting time on quotes designed for shops or offices, not licensed venues.
No confusing phone calls, no generic cover—just tailored options for publicans who need to protect stock, staff, reputation, and income.
What Do I Need To Get A Quote?
To get a pub insurance quote, you’ll need basic details about your premises, business setup, and the type of cover you’re looking for.
Most of the process takes just a few minutes if you have the key info to hand. Here’s what you’ll typically be asked:
- Your pub’s address and postcode – This helps assess location-based risks like flooding or crime.
- Type of establishment – Whether you run a traditional pub, gastropub, late-licence venue, or bar.
- Business activities – Serving food? Hosting live music? Late openings? These all impact your risk profile.
- Stock and contents value – Estimate the cost of alcohol, kitchen equipment, furnishings, and till systems.
- Number of employees – Needed for employers’ liability and staffing risk assessment.
- Security measures – CCTV, alarms, shutters, or door staff may reduce premiums.
You won’t need to upload documents or prove everything immediately—but the more accurate your answers, the more tailored (and competitive) your quotes will be.
Why Do I Need Pub Insurance Cover?
Pub insurance protects your business against the real risks of running a licensed venue—injury claims, property damage, theft, and events that could force you to close your doors overnight.
Without it, one bad incident could be financially devastating.
Running a pub isn’t low-risk. You’re serving alcohol, storing cash and stock, cooking hot food, and welcoming the public—all in one place. If a customer slips and falls, or a kitchen fire breaks out, you could be hit with thousands in legal or repair costs.
Add in theft, damaged stock from power failures, or business interruption due to a burst pipe, and it’s clear how quickly things can spiral. Even small issues—like a cracked floor tile or faulty beer tap—can lead to liability if someone is hurt.
Pub insurance doesn’t just protect your building or your stock. It protects your ability to keep trading. Without the right cover, you’d have to absorb the costs—and in hospitality, margins are tight.
That’s why proper commercial property insurance isn’t optional—it’s part of running responsibly.

What Types Of Pubs & Hospitality Businesses Are Covered?
Pub insurance is designed to protect a wide range of licensed premises—from traditional local pubs to busy gastropubs, wine bars, and even small breweries.
If your business serves alcohol and welcomes the public, there’s likely a policy that fits. Here are just a few of the businesses commonly covered:
- Traditional pubs and inns – Whether you’re freehold or tied, these are the backbone of pub insurance policies.
- Gastropubs and food-led venues – With kitchens and larger food operations, cover may also extend to catering equipment, spoilage, and allergen liability.
- Wet-led pubs – Heavily focused on alcohol sales, these often need extra public liability and security considerations.
- Bars and lounges – Particularly those operating late hours or with entertainment like DJs or live music.
- Microbreweries and taprooms – If you produce your own drinks, your cover can be extended to include brewing equipment and stock in transit.
- Sports pubs and function spaces – High footfall and larger groups bring added risk—especially around events, screenings, or private hire.
Every business is slightly different. Whether you’re running a village pub with locals or a city-centre venue with live acts, pub insurance can be tailored to suit your setup.
What Does Pub Insurance Cover Include?
Pub insurance typically includes protection for your building, contents, alcohol stock, public and employer liability, and business interruption.
It’s built to shield you from the financial impact of unexpected events that could damage your premises or your reputation. Here’s what’s commonly included:
- Buildings insurance – Covers the structure itself, whether owned or leased, against damage from fire, flood, or vandalism.
- Contents and equipment – From kitchen kit and furniture to EPOS systems and TVs—it’s all insurable.
- Alcohol and perishable stock – Essential if your fridge fails or stock is stolen or damaged before use.
- Public liability – Protects your business if a customer is injured on-site or their belongings are damaged.
- Employers’ liability – A legal requirement if you have staff, covering accidents or illness at work.
- Business interruption – Helps cover loss of earnings if your pub can’t open due to an insured event.
- Money cover – Protects cash kept on the premises or in transit (including takings and float).
Most policies can be customised to match your venue’s layout, trading hours, and risk level. You’re not locked into a generic package—you can choose cover that reflects how your pub actually operates.

Can I Add Extras Like Stock Cover Or Loss Of Licence?
Yes—most pub insurance policies can be extended with optional extras like frozen stock protection, loss of alcohol licence, and legal expenses cover.
These add-ons are designed to help you manage risks unique to hospitality. For example:
- Loss of licence cover – If your alcohol licence is suspended or revoked, this helps recover lost income. It’s especially useful for venues that rely heavily on drink sales.
- Deterioration of stock – Covers perishable goods in fridges or freezers that fail due to power cuts or equipment breakdown.
- Equipment breakdown – Protects essential systems like beer pumps, chillers, and kitchen equipment from costly repairs.
- Glass and signage cover – Covers accidental damage to windows, mirrors, and exterior signage—especially helpful for pubs with large frontages.
- Legal expenses – Helps cover solicitor costs if you face disputes with suppliers, employees, or licensing authorities.
These extras aren’t automatically included, so it’s worth thinking about what matters most to your business. A late-night cocktail bar may need different protection to a rural pub that serves Sunday roasts. The key is tailoring your cover—not just taking what’s offered.
What’s Not Included?
Pub insurance won’t cover every scenario—especially if risks aren’t declared, items are underinsured, or the issue falls outside what’s considered an “insurable event.”
Understanding the limits of your policy is just as important as knowing what’s protected. Here are some common exclusions:
- Wear and tear – Gradual damage to furniture, flooring, or fridges isn’t covered. Insurance deals with the unexpected, not ongoing upkeep.
- Poor maintenance or negligence – If your premises aren’t properly looked after (e.g. faulty wiring, broken flooring), claims may be rejected.
- Undeclared high-value items – Specialist equipment or unusually expensive stock must usually be declared separately.
- Illegal activity or licensing breaches – Cover is void if your pub is found to be operating outside the law (e.g. serving alcohol without a licence).
- Cyber threats or online fraud – Unless cyber cover is added, digital risks typically aren’t included in standard pub policies.
Policy exclusions vary by insurer, so if you rely on unusual equipment, run a high-volume late-night venue, or deal in large quantities of cash or stock, it’s worth double-checking your policy wording—or asking questions before you commit.
How Much Does Pub Insurance Cost?
Pub insurance usually costs between £500 and £2,000 per year, depending on the size of your premises, trading hours, staff numbers, and the level of cover you choose.
No two pubs are alike—so no two quotes will be the same. Several factors influence the cost of your premium:
- Type of venue – A food-led gastropub has different risk levels than a late-night wet-led bar.
- Opening hours – Extended hours increase exposure to incidents, especially involving alcohol or cash handling.
- Staff size and payroll – More staff = higher employers’ liability costs.
- Value of stock and equipment – A pub with expensive wines or high-end kitchen gear will likely pay more.
- Location – Urban pubs or those in high-crime areas tend to attract higher premiums.
- Claims history – Past insurance claims—especially fire, theft, or injury-related—will push your price up.
Most publicans can reduce their costs by tailoring cover, improving on-site security, and comparing multiple quotes. A small village pub may pay far less than a busy city-centre bar.
What matters is matching the cover to your actual risk profile—not someone else’s.

How Can I Save Money On Pub Insurance?
You can reduce your pub insurance costs by accurately valuing your stock and contents, improving on-site security, and comparing multiple quotes tailored to your type of venue.
Insurers price based on risk—so the more you manage, the less you’ll likely pay.
Here’s what helps cut costs:
Install security systems
CCTV, door alarms, panic buttons, and good lighting can all reduce your risk rating.
Avoid over-insuring
Don’t round up values “just in case.” Insurers don’t pay above declared values, so accuracy matters.
Tailor your policy
Only pay for the cover you need. If you don’t handle food, don’t pay extra for kitchen-related risks.
Keep your claims record clean
Avoid making small claims if you can afford to absorb the loss. Fewer claims = lower premiums long term.
Compare quotes
Every insurer prices differently. By using simplyquote.co.uk and our partnership with Quotezone, you can quickly see who offers the best deal for your exact setup.
Saving money isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about making your pub more insurable and only paying for what you actually need. That starts with knowing your risks, and shopping smart.
How To Compare Pub Insurance Quotes At SimplyQuote.co.uk
Comparing quotes for pub insurance is quick and straightforward with simplyquote.co.uk—powered by our trusted partner Quotezone.
One form gets you multiple quotes from FCA-regulated insurers who understand the risks of running a pub.
Here’s how it works:
- Tell us about your pub – Share your postcode, type of venue (e.g. traditional, bar, gastropub), and whether you serve food or host events.
- Choose your cover – Select the areas you want to protect: buildings, contents, liability, stock, income, and any extras like licence or glass cover.
- Review your quotes – Instantly see offers from UK insurers who specialise in commercial and licensed premises.
- Pick the one that fits – Once you’ve reviewed the options, you can apply online and get your documents emailed straight to you.
You’ll only see relevant policies—no café, office, or generic commercial quotes. Everything is designed with publicans in mind, so you can get covered and get back to running your pub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not all types—but if you employ staff, you’re legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. Other covers like public liability or contents are optional, but strongly advised.
Yes. Tenants can insure stock, contents, liability, and business interruption. Your landlord may cover the building, but everything else is your responsibility.
Often, yes—but you’ll need to declare this when applying. Hosting DJs, bands, or events can affect your premium and may require additional liability cover.
Not by default. You’ll need to add loss of licence cover to your policy if you want protection against income loss due to licence revocation or suspension.
Yes—if money cover is included. This typically protects takings stored in safes or during transit. Limits apply, so make sure you check the maximum payout.
Absolutely. Just be upfront about your trading hours and business type. These pubs often have higher risk profiles, so it’s important to tailor your policy.
Not automatically. You can add cover for external signage, mirrors, and windows as an extra—ideal for pubs with street-facing glass or branded displays.
Most policies offer optional equipment breakdown cover. It’s useful if you rely on ovens, fryers, or refrigeration units and want protection for repair or replacement costs.
Written by Chris Richards
Page last reviewed on 26th March 2025 by Chris Richards