Start with the activity and the worst plausible loss
Tell the insurer or broker what you sell, manufacture or customise, where products come from, where you trade, whether customers visit and who works for you. Include a home workspace or stored stock if relevant. A policy for a simple office may not fit product sales, printing equipment or imported goods. The cheapest premium is not a useful comparison until the insured activity and cover match.
Check the cover you are required to have
In Great Britain, employers generally need employers’ liability insurance when they become an employer, with at least £5 million cover from an authorised insurer, subject to exceptions. Check the current government rules for your situation; other UK jurisdictions and special circumstances may differ. Do not assume a family connection or small team automatically removes the requirement.
Compare risks separately
Public liability, product liability, professional indemnity, stock and equipment, cyber cover and business interruption address different risks. Ask what triggers a claim, the limit, excess and exclusions, and which territories and products are covered. Business interruption normally depends on specified insured events; it is not cover for every weak sales month. Transit compensation from a carrier is not automatically the same as a stock or goods-in-transit policy.
Read the claims conditions before buying
Ask about storage security, fire precautions, subcontractors, product documentation and notification deadlines. Keep a written record of what you disclosed and the cover agreed. Review the policy when you add a product type, new equipment, staff or overseas sales. If you are unsure what is appropriate, use a suitably authorised adviser and verify their details through the FCA’s official register. This guide compares questions to ask; it does not arrange or recommend a particular insurance policy.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Make the next move a clearer one.
- Describe every material activity and trading territory accurately.
- Check applicable compulsory cover and exceptions.
- Compare limits, excesses and exclusions for the same risks.
- Understand claim conditions and notification deadlines.
- Review cover when the business changes.
Where we checked the details
Primary sources checked 11 October 2026. Rules, prices and eligibility can change. Confirm current terms with the official service.
General UK guidance and editorial checklists. Apply the official rules to your circumstances and seek qualified help where needed. This is researched guidance, not a claim that we have tested every provider or situation.
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