Business Insurance
Compare Business Insurance Quotes
Business insurance that protects your business from everyday risks.
Compare insurance quotes from UK’s leading business insurers including:
What Is Business Insurance?
Business insurance is a type of cover that protects companies against financial losses caused by accidents, property damage, legal claims, or unexpected events.
It helps cover costs such as legal fees, compensation claims, repairs, and lost income. This allows businesses to continue operating without facing serious financial strain.
In the UK, several types of business insurance exist. Each policy is designed to protect a specific risk, from public liability claims to employee injuries and professional errors.
Many businesses combine policies depending on their industry. A builder might need public liability and tool cover, while a consultant might need professional indemnity and cyber liability.
How To Compare Business Insurance Quotes
You can compare business insurance quotes from trusted UK insurers online in a few minutes.
Enter business details
Enter your trade, turnover, number of employees, and the cover levels you need. The form takes around two minutes to complete.
Choose quotes
Compare prices from multiple UK insurers side by side. Every provider on our panel is authorised by the FCA and regulated in the UK.
Check the details
Look beyond the headline price. Check what’s included, what the excess is, and whether the insurer has a good claims process.
Buy online
Once you’ve chosen, buy your cover online. Some policies start immediately, while others begin from a date you choose.
What Types of Business Insurance Can You Get?
Different businesses face different risks, which is why business insurance often combines several policies that protect specific areas of your operations.
By cover type
Public liability insurance
protects your business if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of your work.
Professional indemnity insurance
covers legal costs and compensation if a client claims your advice or services caused them financial loss.
Employers’ liability insurance
is a legal requirement for most UK businesses with staff. It covers claims from employees injured or made ill by their work.
By industry
Tradesman insurance
is designed for builders, plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople. It typically bundles public liability with tool and equipment cover.
Events insurance
provides public liability cover for one-off or recurring events, from weddings and festivals to corporate functions.
Dog walking insurance
covers dog walkers and pet sitters against claims if an animal in their care injures someone or damages property.
Cleaning insurance
protects domestic and commercial cleaners against accidental damage to client property and public liability claims.
Bouncy castle insurance
is specialist cover for inflatable hire companies, covering injuries to users and damage to equipment.
By additional cover
Commercial property insurance
protects your premises, equipment, and stock against fire, flooding, and theft.
Product liability insurance
covers claims if a product you make, sell, or supply causes injury or damage to a customer.
Business interruption insurance
replaces lost income if your business cannot operate due to an insured event such as a fire or flood.
Cyber liability insurance
protects against financial losses from data breaches, hacking, and ransomware attacks. The Association of British Insurers recommends cyber cover for any business that stores customer data.
Legal expenses insurance
covers the cost of legal disputes, tribunal claims, and regulatory investigations, often including access to a legal helpline.
What Does Business Insurance Cover?
Business insurance protects companies against financial losses from accidents, legal claims, property damage, and unexpected events that disrupt normal operations.
The exact protection depends on the policies you choose. Here is what most business insurance policies cover and what they typically exclude.
| Covered | Not Usually Covered |
| Injury or illness to customers, employees, or third parties | Intentional harm or deliberate damage |
| Damage to someone else’s property caused by your work | Poor workmanship or faulty work |
| Legal defence costs and compensation following a claim | General wear and tear of tools or equipment |
| Loss, damage, or theft of tools, equipment, or stock | Incidents involving drugs or alcohol |
| Damage to buildings or property from fire or flooding | Breach of contract disputes |
| Lost income if your business cannot operate due to an insured event | Damage to the item you are actively working on |
Always check your policy documents to understand exactly what is included and excluded. Cover varies between insurers and policy types.
Who Needs Business Insurance?
Most businesses in the UK benefit from business insurance, including sole traders, freelancers, and companies with employees.
Sole traders and freelancers
Self-employed professionals often use public liability or professional indemnity insurance to protect against claims from clients or members of the public.
Businesses with employees
If you employ staff, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. It protects your business if an employee is injured or becomes ill because of their work.
Contractors and tradespeople
Builders, electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople need cover for tools, equipment, and liability risks when working on customer property.
Consultants and professional services
Businesses that provide advice or specialist services need professional indemnity insurance to protect against claims of financial loss caused by errors or omissions.
Customer-facing businesses
Shops, restaurants, and hospitality businesses use public liability insurance to cover accidents or property damage involving members of the public.
Landlords and property investors
If you rent out property, landlord insurance covers buildings, contents, and liability risks specific to letting. This is separate from standard business insurance.
Taxi and private hire drivers
Drivers working in the private hire or public hire sector need specialist taxi insurance that covers fare-paying passengers. Standard motor policies do not cover commercial passenger transport.
Is Business Insurance A Legal Requirement In The UK?
Business insurance is not always legally required, but employers’ liability insurance is mandatory for most businesses with staff.
Under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, businesses with employees must hold at least £5 million of employers’ liability cover. Failing to have this insurance can result in fines of up to £2,500 for every day you are uninsured.
The law applies to most businesses that employ staff, including part-time workers, temporary employees, and apprentices. The Health and Safety Executive enforces compliance.
Most other types of business insurance are optional. However, public liability insurance is often required by clients, landlords, and event organisers before you can carry out work.
How Does Business Insurance Work?
Business insurance works by protecting your business financially if something goes wrong, in return for a regular premium payment to an insurer.
You choose the types of cover your business needs, such as liability claims, property damage, or employee-related risks. The level of cover depends on your activities and potential risks.
If something happens, you make a claim. The insurer reviews the situation and, if valid, helps cover costs like compensation, legal fees, or repairs.
All insurers on SimplyQuote are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your premium is based on factors such as your industry, number of employees, turnover, and claims history.
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 types of cover they need.
Sole traders with no employees and low-risk work pay the least. Businesses in construction, manufacturing, or those with multiple staff members pay more because the claims risk is higher.
| Insurance Type | Cheapest Annual Price | Average Annual Price |
| Public Liability Insurance | £65 | £81 |
| Professional Indemnity Insurance | £73 | £95 |
| Employers’ Liability Insurance | £108 | £230 |
| Tradesman Insurance | £70 | £120 |
| Cyber Liability Insurance | £130 | £550 |
| Buildings and Contents Insurance | £100 | £590 |
The level of cover you choose also affects the price. See our breakdown of how much public liability insurance costs at different cover levels.
What Affects The Cost Of Business Insurance?
Several factors influence how much you pay for business insurance. Insurers assess these when calculating your premium.
Your industry and activities
Higher-risk industries like construction and manufacturing pay more than office-based businesses. The type of work you do directly affects your premium.
Number of employees
More employees means higher employers’ liability costs. Manual workers cost more to insure than desk-based staff.
Annual turnover
A higher turnover usually means greater exposure to claims. Insurers use turnover as a proxy for the scale of risk your business carries.
Level of cover 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.
Claims history
Previous claims or ongoing legal disputes can increase your premium. A clean claims record over several years will help keep costs lower.
How Can You Get Cheaper Business Insurance?
There are several practical ways to reduce your business insurance premiums without sacrificing the cover you need.
Reduce your risk
Install security cameras, carry out regular risk assessments, and give staff health and safety training. Insurers reward businesses that take steps to lower their risk profile.
Bundle your policies
Many insurers offer combined business insurance packages that bundle public liability, employers’ liability, and other cover into one policy. This is often cheaper than buying each policy separately.
Choose a higher voluntary excess
Agreeing to pay a higher excess when you claim can reduce your annual premium. Only do this if you could comfortably cover the excess amount.
Shop around at renewal
Don’t auto-renew without checking the market. Compare quotes from multiple insurers each year to make sure you’re still getting the best deal.
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.
Equally, check you’re not underinsured by reviewing how much tradesman insurance costs for your specific trade.
What Do You Need To Get A Business Insurance Quote?
To get a business insurance quote, insurers ask for basic details about your company and the risks associated with your work.
You will typically need to provide your business type or industry, the services or products you offer, your number of employees, your annual turnover, and your business location.
Insurers may also ask about equipment, premises, or vehicles. If you use commercial vans or run a fleet, you may need separate vehicle insurance alongside your business cover. Compare business van insurance providers to find the right fit for your vehicles.
Providing accurate information helps insurers calculate the right level of cover. The more detail you provide, the more accurate your quotes will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Employers’ liability insurance is mandatory if you have employees, with a minimum of £5 million cover required by law. Other policies like public liability or professional indemnity are optional but often required by clients, landlords, or contracts.
Yes, many insurers offer combined business insurance packages that bundle several policies together. This is often cheaper than buying each policy separately.
Sole traders working with the public or on client sites often need public liability insurance. Those providing advice or professional services may also need professional indemnity cover.
Some policies cover home-based businesses, but you should check with your insurer. Standard home insurance usually excludes business activities, so you may need a specific business policy or an add-on to your home cover.
Many policies can start on the same day you apply. Once your application is confirmed and payment is processed, cover can begin immediately.
Yes, many clients in construction, consulting, and professional services require proof of insurance before awarding contracts. Public liability and professional indemnity are the most commonly requested policies.
Yes, business insurance premiums are an allowable business expense that you can deduct from your taxable profits. This applies whether you file a self-assessment or a company tax return.
Public liability covers claims from members of the public, while employers’ liability covers claims from your employees. Read our guide on employers’ liability vs public liability insurance for a full comparison.
Yes, online businesses still face risks such as data breaches, professional errors, and client disputes. Professional indemnity and cyber liability insurance are the most relevant policies for online-only businesses.
Standard business property insurance typically covers theft of tools, equipment, and stock from your premises. However, most policies require you to have taken reasonable security precautions such as locked doors and alarm systems.