Compare Business Insurance
Protect your business with the right cover at the right price. Compare public liability, employers' liability and professional indemnity from leading UK insurers — free and no obligation.
Business insurance protects your company, your employees and your clients from the financial consequences of things going wrong. Whether it is a customer injury on your premises, a professional mistake that costs a client money, or a workplace accident affecting a member of staff, the right insurance means your business can survive a claim without crippling financial damage. Yet many UK businesses are underinsured — or paying far more than they need to because they have not compared.
Types of business insurance
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance covers your business if a member of the public (including clients, visitors or passers-by) is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your business activities. It covers legal fees, compensation and court costs. While not a legal requirement, it is essential for any business that interacts with the public, works on client premises, or operates from commercial premises. Many contracts and landlords require you to hold a minimum level of public liability cover — typically £1 million to £5 million.
Employers' liability insurance
Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for almost all UK businesses with employees. It covers claims from employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work. The minimum cover required by law is £5 million, though most policies offer £10 million. Failure to hold employers' liability insurance can result in fines of £2,500 per day. Even businesses with just one part-time employee must have this cover in place.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity (PI) insurance protects your business against claims that your professional advice, services or designs have caused a client financial loss. It is essential for consultants, accountants, architects, IT professionals, marketers and anyone else who provides advice or services that others rely on. Some professional bodies and regulators require PI insurance as a condition of membership. Cover typically ranges from £100,000 to £5 million depending on your profession and the size of contracts you handle.
Getting the right level of cover
The right amount of cover depends on your business type, size, turnover and risk profile. As a starting point, most businesses that interact with the public should carry at least £1 million of public liability cover. Those in higher-risk trades (construction, manufacturing, events) may need £5 million or £10 million. Your clients' contracts often specify the minimum cover they require.
For professional indemnity, consider the maximum value of a single contract or piece of work. If your advice could lead to a client losing £500,000, you need at least that level of PI cover. Many businesses combine multiple policies into a single business insurance package, which is often cheaper and simpler than buying each type separately.
Review your insurance annually. As your business grows — more employees, higher turnover, bigger contracts — your cover needs change. A policy that was adequate when you started may leave dangerous gaps as your business scales. Comparing every year ensures your cover matches your current risk and that you are getting the best price for what you need.
Compare cover from providers including
Hiscox AXA Aviva Simply Business PolicyBeeThree steps to better business insurance
Why comparing matters
Average PL premium
Public liability insurance for a low-risk small business averages around £120 per year. High-risk trades pay more, but comparing can still cut costs significantly.
Businesses underinsured
Nearly half of UK SMEs are underinsured, with cover that does not match their current size, turnover or risk profile. Annual reviews are essential.
Minimum EL cover
Employers' liability insurance must provide at least £5 million of cover. It is a legal requirement for any business with employees.
Time to compare
Getting business insurance quotes takes just minutes. The protection lasts a full year and could save your business from a devastating claim.
Business insurance FAQs
If you employ anyone (including part-time or temporary staff), employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK — you must have at least £5 million of cover. Other types of business insurance are not legally required but are often essential. Many clients and contracts require you to hold public liability or professional indemnity insurance before they will work with you.
Costs vary enormously depending on your business type, size, turnover and risk level. Public liability insurance for a low-risk sole trader can start from as little as £40–£50 per year. Professional indemnity for a consultant might cost £150–£300 per year. Employers' liability costs depend on the number of employees and the nature of the work. Comparing multiple providers is the best way to find competitive pricing.
Public liability insurance covers claims from third parties for injury or property damage caused by your business activities — for example, a customer slipping in your shop. Professional indemnity covers claims arising from your professional advice or services — for example, a client suffering financial loss due to an error in your work. Many businesses need both types of cover.
Yes. Many specialist insurers cater specifically to sole traders and freelancers, often with simpler application processes and more affordable premiums than traditional commercial policies. You can typically get public liability from around £40 per year and professional indemnity from around £100 per year, depending on your trade or profession.