Compare business insurance
Public liability, employers' liability, professional indemnity and more. Compare cover from UK insurers and brokers, with policies built around what your business actually does.
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Employers' liability is a legal requirement
If you employ anyone, you must hold at least £5 million of employers' liability cover. Fines can reach £2,500 for every day you're uninsured.
What cover does my business need?
Only employers' liability is legally required, but the practical answer depends on your risks.
You employ staff
Employers' liability is a legal must. Most policies start at £10 million of cover as standard.
You deal with the public
Public liability protects you if a customer or member of the public is injured or their property is damaged.
You give advice or expertise
Professional indemnity covers claims that your advice or work caused a client financial loss.
You hold stock, tools or equipment
Contents, stock and tools cover replaces business property lost to theft, fire or flood.
How business insurance pricing works
- Insurers price on trade, turnover, employee numbers, claims history and where you operate from.
- Combined policies bundling several covers are usually cheaper than buying each one separately.
- A higher voluntary excess reduces your premium but increases what you pay on each claim.
- Underinsurance is the most common problem — if your sums insured are too low, claims are scaled down proportionally.
- Annual payment is normally cheaper than monthly instalments, which carry credit interest.
What does business insurance cost?
Indicative annual premiums for small UK businesses. Your quote depends on trade, turnover and claims history.
| Cover | Small business | Typical limit |
|---|---|---|
| Public liability | £60 – £250 a year | £1m – £10m |
| Employers' liability | £60 – £400 a year | £10m standard |
| Professional indemnity | £100 – £700 a year | £100k – £5m |
| Commercial property | £200 – £900 a year | Sum insured based |
| Cyber insurance | £120 – £600 a year | £100k – £2m |
How to compare business insurance
Get like-for-like quotes rather than the cheapest headline price.
Describe your business
Your trade, turnover, staff numbers, premises and any claims in the last five years.
Compare quotes and cover levels
We show premium, limits, excesses and key exclusions together, so cheap doesn't mean unprotected.
Buy and get documents
Choose your policy and receive certificates immediately — including the employers' liability certificate you must display.
Expert advice
Businesses buy on price and discover the gaps at claim time. Exclusions, sums insured and the basis of settlement matter far more than saving £40 on the premium.
“Check whether cover is on a claims-made or claims-occurring basis. For professional indemnity, that distinction can decide whether you're covered at all.”
Types of business insurance
Most businesses combine three or four of these into one policy.
Public liability insurance
Covers compensation and legal costs if your business injures someone or damages their property.
Employers' liability insurance
Legally required if you employ staff. Covers claims from employees who become ill or injured at work.
Professional indemnity insurance
Protects consultants, agencies and professionals against claims of negligent advice or work.
Commercial property and contents
Rebuilding costs, stock, fixtures and equipment covered against fire, flood, theft and accidental damage.
Business interruption
Replaces lost income while you can't trade after an insured event, so fixed costs stay covered.
Cyber and data insurance
Breach response, ransomware recovery, notification costs and third-party claims after a data incident.
3 ways to reduce your premium
Without cutting the cover that actually protects you.
Improve your risk controls
Approved alarms, fire suppression and documented health and safety procedures all reduce premiums.
Combine policies with one insurer
Packaged commercial policies are typically 15–25% cheaper than separate covers.
Review sums insured annually
Over-insuring wastes money, under-insuring scales down your claim. Accurate figures do both jobs.
Why choose Grow Your Business?
Wide choice of providers
We compare a broad panel of UK insurance providers, so you can weigh price, service and contract terms side by side.
Exclusive offers
We negotiate exclusive rates, cashback and switching incentives you won't always find by going direct.
Simple and fast
One short form, one call from a specialist, and quotes tailored to your business — usually within 24 hours.
We compare these insurers and brokers
Leading UK commercial insurers and specialist brokers.
AXA
Aviva
Zurich
Hiscox
Allianz
RSA
Simply Business
AJG
Markel
QBE
Direct Line
NFU MutualComparing with us is a no-brainer
“Our renewal came in at £1,340. The comparison found equivalent cover with higher indemnity limits for £790, and the broker spotted we'd been underinsured on stock for two years.”
Danielle, retailer in Glasgow
Latest from our experts
Public vs employers' liability explained
Which one you need, and what happens if you don't have it.
Do I need professional indemnity insurance?
The professions where clients and regulators expect it as standard.
Cyber insurance for small businesses
What's covered, what isn't, and how much it costs in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is business insurance a legal requirement?
Only employers' liability, if you employ anyone. Other covers are optional but often required by clients, landlords or trade bodies.
How much public liability cover do I need?
£1 million is a common minimum, but many contracts and local authorities require £5 million or £10 million.
Can I change insurer mid-policy?
Yes, though you may pay a cancellation fee and only receive a pro-rata refund. Most businesses switch at renewal.
What is professional indemnity insurance?
It covers legal costs and compensation if a client claims your advice, designs or services caused them financial loss.
Will a claim increase my premium?
Usually yes at the next renewal, though the impact depends on claim size and how many you've made in five years.
Is comparing free?
Yes. Comparing costs nothing and you're under no obligation to buy.
Written by the Grow Your Business editorial team · Updated 25 July 2026