Guide
Employers' liability: what the law requires
Why almost every UK employer must hold at least £5 million of cover, and what happens if you don't.
Read guideCompare business insurance
Compare UK business insurance policies in minutes. Combine public liability, buildings, contents and more into a single package built around your trade.
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Run a full market comparison before you commit. It takes about five minutes and there's no obligation to apply.
How business insurance works
Business insurance isn't one policy — it's a package of covers built around the risks your business actually faces, from a customer slipping in your shop to a fire damaging your stock.
Most UK small businesses buy a combined policy that bundles public liability, contents, buildings, business interruption and sometimes employers' liability into one annual premium.
Premiums are driven mainly by your trade, turnover, number of staff, claims history and the cover limits you choose, so two similar-looking businesses can pay very different amounts.
What affects the cost of business insurance
- Your trade and the risks associated with it
- Annual turnover and number of employees
- Cover limits chosen for each section
- Claims history over the last three to five years
- Excess level and any add-ons such as cyber or legal expenses
Why compare business insurance with us
Package or standalone
Bundle covers together or buy exactly the sections you need.
Trade-specific wordings
Policies written for your industry, not a generic template.
Same-day certificates
Most insurers issue proof of cover the moment you buy.
Typical premiums by business size
Indicative annual premiums for a combined policy including public liability, excluding IPT.
| Business size | Typical cover | Annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Sole trader, no staff | £1m public liability | £70 - £150 |
| Micro business, 1-4 staff | £2m PL + £5m EL | £150 - £350 |
| Small business, 5-19 staff | £2m PL + £5m EL + contents | £350 - £900 |
| Medium business, 20-49 staff | £5m PL + £10m EL + interruption | £900 - £2,500 |
| Retail unit with stock | £2m PL + stock cover | £300 - £750 |
Cost by cover section added
How each additional section typically adds to a base combined policy.
| Section | What it adds | Typical extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| Employers' liability | £5m minimum cover, legally required | £60 - £200 per year |
| Buildings cover | Structure and permanent fixtures | £150 - £600 per year |
| Business interruption | Loss of income after a claim | £80 - £300 per year |
| Cyber add-on | Data breach and ransomware response | £100 - £400 per year |
| Legal expenses | Employment disputes and tax investigations | £40 - £100 per year |
Expert advice
Our team reviews UK commercial insurers, policy wordings and typical premiums throughout the year.
“The businesses that pay too much are almost always the ones who never review their policy after the first year. Trades, staff numbers and stock levels change — your cover should too.”
business insurance: pros and cons
Pros
- One renewal date and one insurer to deal with
- Often cheaper than buying covers separately
- Tailored wordings for hundreds of UK trades
- Meets client and landlord contract requirements
Cons
- Bundled policies can include sections you don't need
- Premiums rise sharply after a claim
- Some trades are excluded or heavily loaded by mainstream insurers
How to choose a business insurance policy
Cover limits and exclusions vary a lot between insurers. Check these points before you buy.
- 1
Match limits to your contracts
Many clients and landlords set a minimum public liability limit — check before you buy a policy that falls short.
- 2
Declare your trade accurately
An inaccurate trade description can void a claim entirely, even an honest mistake.
- 3
Check what's excluded
Manual work, working at height or overseas trading are commonly excluded unless declared.
- 4
Compare the excess
A lower premium with a much higher excess can cost more when you actually claim.
Compare business insurance
See what's available for your business today. It takes just minutes.
How to compare business insurance
It takes a couple of minutes and there is no obligation to buy.
1. Tell us about your business
Trade, turnover, headcount and the cover limits you need.
2. See matched insurers
We shortlist UK insurers and brokers who actually cover your trade.
3. Compare the full policy
Premium, excess, cover limits and exclusions — not just the headline price.
4. Buy your cover
Most policies can be arranged online with your certificate issued the same day.
Things to watch out for
Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for almost all UK employers — you can be fined £2,500 for every day you're without it.
Under-declaring turnover or staff numbers to lower your premium can invalidate a claim.
Cheap policies sometimes cap business interruption cover at a level that wouldn't keep you trading for long.
Our business insurance service
We compare business insurance from established UK insurers and brokers so you can see premiums, limits and exclusions side by side.
Comparing is free, and we will say plainly when your existing policy already looks like good value.
Getting started
1
Check your renewal date
Start comparing four to six weeks before renewal so you don't auto-renew onto a higher price.
2
Gather your claims history
Insurers will ask about claims from the last three to five years.
3
Confirm your cover limits
Contracts and clients often set minimum limits you must hold.
Why choose Grow Your Business?
Wide choice of providers
We compare a broad range of UK providers so you can find the option that actually fits how your business operates.
Exclusive offers
We work hard to bring you exclusive deals, switching incentives and cashback where they're available.
Simple and fast
It takes just a few minutes to compare with us — and the deal you find could be well below what you pay today.
Types of business insurance
The right policy depends on your trade, size and the contracts you work under.
Public liability
Covers claims from members of the public injured or whose property is damaged because of your business.
Employers' liability
A legal requirement for almost all employers, covering claims from staff injured at work.
Contents and stock
Covers equipment, stock and fittings against fire, theft and flood.
Business interruption
Replaces lost income if you can't trade after an insured event.
Professional indemnity
Covers claims arising from advice or services you provide.
Providers we compare
Logos are shown for identification. We are not affiliated with every insurer listed and do not compare the whole market.
Simply Business
AXA
Aviva
Hiscox
Zurich
Allianz
Superscript
Markel
Direct Line for BusinessComparing with us is a no-brainer
“Bundling our cover together saved us nearly £300 a year and made renewal painless.”
Danielle, café owner, Leeds
business insurance guides
Guide
Public liability claims that catch businesses out
The everyday incidents — a spilt drink, a dropped tool, a tripped customer — that lead to six-figure claims.
Read guide
Guide
Cyber cover after a ransomware attack
What a typical cyber insurance claim pays for, from forensics to ransom negotiation and lost income.
Read guidebusiness insurance FAQs
Do I legally need business insurance?
Public liability is not legally required, but employers' liability is compulsory for almost every UK business with staff, and some trades are contractually required to hold other covers.
How much does business insurance cost?
A sole trader might pay from around £70 a year for basic public liability. A small business with staff and stock typically pays £350 to £900 for a combined policy.
Can I buy business insurance without a limited company?
Yes. Sole traders, partnerships and limited companies can all buy business insurance, and cover works the same way regardless of structure.
What happens if I don't have employers' liability insurance?
You can be fined £2,500 for every day you're uninsured, and the Health and Safety Executive can prosecute you separately.
Written by the Grow Your Business editorial team · Updated 26 July 2026