Compare the Best Business Insurance Quotes (2026)

By: Money Navigator Research Team

Last Reviewed: 09/12/2025

Warning: If you employ staff, Employers' Liability Insurance is a legal requirement. Failure to have it can result in fines of up to £2,500 per day.

One lawsuit can bankrupt a small business. Whether it’s a customer slipping on a wet floor, a client suing for professional negligence, or a cyber attack stealing data, having the right cover is the only safety net that matters.

At Money Navigator, we compare the UK’s leading brokers and direct insurers to help you find the right Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, and Employers' Liability cover at the best price.

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Also Compare: 

Editor’s Top Picks: Best Business Insurance by Category

nsurance is complex. A builder needs very different cover from an accountant. We have categorised the market leaders to help you find the specialist protection you need.

 🏆 BEST FOR PUBLIC LIABILITY  

1. Best for Public Liability (Trades & Retail): Simply Business

Simply Business is the UK’s biggest business insurance broker. They don't just sell one policy; they scan panel of insurers (like AXA, Hiscox, and Zurich) to find you the cheapest deal.

  • The Verdict: The fastest way to get a Public Liability quote for tradespeople, shops, and restaurants.
  • Key Pros:
    • Choice: Compare quotes from multiple major insurers in one form.
    • Speed: Get your policy documents instantly via email (essential if you need to show proof to a client/council).
    • Flexibility: tailored cover for over 1,000 different trade types.
  • Watch Out For: As a broker, they charge a small admin fee which is included in your premium.
simply business business insurance
Visit Simply Business Website

 🏆 BEST FOR PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY  

2. Best for Professional Indemnity (Freelancers & Consultants): Hiscox

If you give advice for a living (Marketing, IT, Accounting, Architecture), you need protection against “bad advice” claims. Hiscox is the gold standard for this.

  • The Verdict: The premium choice for white-collar professionals who need robust contract protection.
  • Key Pros:
    • Reputation: Hiscox is known for paying claims quickly and fairly.
    • Retroactive Cover: Can cover you for work you did in the past (before you bought the policy) if needed.
    • Cyber Add-on: Easy to bundle Cyber Insurance with your PI policy.
  • Watch Out For: They are a premium insurer, so they may not be the cheapest option for very small micro-businesses.
hiscox business insurance
Visit Hiscox Website

 🏆 BEST FOR EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY & STARTUPS  

3. Best for Employers' Liability & Startups: AXA

If you have just hired your first employee, you legally need Employers' Liability. AXA makes this simple and affordable for small businesses.

  • The Verdict: Great for growing businesses that need to add staff or vans to their policy easily.
  • Key Pros:
    • Bundle & Save: Get 10% off if you buy Public Liability and Employers' Liability together.
    • Legal Helpline: Free access to legal and tax helplines to help you manage staff issues.
    • Scalable: Easily increase your cover limits as your turnover grows.
  • Watch Out For: Direct-only deals. You might find cheaper AXA rates via a broker like Simply Business depending on your trade.
axa business insurance
Visit AXA Website

 🏆 BEST FOR FLEXIBLE MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTIONS  

4. Best for Flexible Monthly Subscriptions: Superscript

Traditional insurance ties you into a rigid 12-month contract. Superscript works like a subscription (think Netflix for insurance), allowing you to pay monthly and cancel anytime.

  • The Verdict: The ultimate choice for rapidly scaling startups and digital businesses whose needs change month-to-month.
  • Key Pros:
    • No Annual Contract: Complete freedom. Pay monthly and cancel whenever you like with no hidden fees.
    • Fully Digital: Manage everything online. Adjust your cover levels instantly as your team or revenue grows.
    • Tech Focused: They specialise in modern risks, offering excellent cover for e-commerce, fintech, and media businesses.
  • Watch Out For: Because it is a rolling monthly contract, you don't get the “annual payment discount” that traditional insurers sometimes offer for paying upfront.
superscript business insurance
Visit SuperScript Website

Broker vs. Direct: Which is Better?

One of the first decisions you need to make is whether to buy from a comparison site (a broker) or go straight to an insurer. Both have advantages depending on whether you prioritise saving time or cutting out the middleman.

Using a Broker (e.g., Simply Business, Superscript)

  • Pros: They do the searching for you. They scan 10+ insurers to find the cheapest price. Good for “high risk” trades (e.g., roofers) or unusual businesses.
  • Cons: They may charge a small admin fee.
  • Best For: Time-poor business owners, tradespeople, and anyone who wants to compare the whole market in one go.
simply business business insurance
superscript business insurance
simply business business insurance
superscript business insurance

Going Direct (e.g., AXA, Aviva, Hiscox)

  • Pros: You deal directly with the brand. Claims can sometimes be faster as there is no middleman.
  • Cons: You have to fill out a form for every single insurer to compare prices, which takes hours.
  • Best For: Businesses with simple needs who prefer dealing with a specific brand, or those who want to avoid broker commission fees.
axa business insurance
hiscox business insurance
axa business insurance
hiscox business insurance

Important: Is My Business Protected? (FCA & FSCS)

Just like banks, UK insurers are strictly regulated to protect you if things go wrong.

  THE REGULATOR  

FCA Authorised

All the brokers we list (Simply Business, Hiscox, AXA) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

This means they must treat you fairly, are not allowed to hide important exclusions in the small print, and must handle complaints according to strict UK laws.

Visit FCA Website
fca financial conduct authority

  THE SAFETY NET  

FSCS Protection

What happens if your insurer goes bust? You are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

  • Employers' Liability: 100% of your claim is protected.
  • Public Liability: 90% of your claim is protected.
  • This is automatic government-backed protection for all UK small businesses.
Visit FSCS Website
fscs - financial services compensation scheme

How to Get a Business Insurance Quote (Step-by-Step)

Getting an accurate quote takes about 5-10 minutes. Have these details ready before you click “Get Quote” to save time:

Be Specific With Your Trade: Don't just say “Builder.” Insurers rate “General Builder” differently from “Roofer” or “Groundworker.” Being specific can save you money.

  • Know Your Numbers: You will need your estimated Annual Turnover (revenue) and your total Payroll costs (if you have staff).
  • Claims History: You must declare any claims made in the last 5 years. Hiding this can void your policy later.
  • ERN Number: If you are buying Employers' Liability, you will likely need your Employer Reference Number (ERN) from HMRC.

Quick links:

Business Insurance FAQ's

Still confused about cover? Insurance jargon can be tricky. Below, we answer the most common questions UK business owners ask to help you get the right protection.

How much does business insurance cost?

It depends entirely on your trade. A freelance copywriter might pay as little as £7/month for Professional Indemnity, while a scaffolder might pay £50+/month for Public Liability due to the height risk. Always compare quotes to get a baseline for your specific industry.

Yes. If clients visit your home, you need Public Liability. If you sell products, you need Product Liability. Also, check your standard Home Insurance policy – most domestic policies exclude business activity, so you might not be covered for a fire or theft related to your business stock or equipment.

Think of it this way:

  • Public Liability covers physical accidents (e.g., you spill coffee on a client's laptop or they trip over your cable).
  • Professional Indemnity covers financial mistakes (e.g., you give bad advice that causes a client to lose money). Tradespeople usually need PL; consultants usually need PI.

It is a grey area.

  • Labour-only subcontractors: Generally YES, you need to cover them as employees because you control their work.
  • Bona-fide subcontractors (who have their own insurance and tools): Generally NO, but you must verify they have their own valid Public Liability cover before they start work.

Standard policies start at £1 million, which is sufficient for many small businesses. However, if you work for local councils, government bodies, or large corporate clients, their contracts will often insist you have at least £5 million or £10 million in cover. Always check your client contracts first.

Usually no. Public Liability covers damage you cause to other people. To protect your own drills, laptops, and stock from theft or damage, you need to add specific “Tools & Equipment Cover” or “Business Contents Insurance” to your policy.

Yes. Business insurance is classified as an “allowable expense” by HMRC. You can deduct the full cost of your premiums from your taxable profit, which effectively reduces your final Corporation Tax or Income Tax bill.

This is vital for Professional Indemnity. If you retire or close your business, you can still be sued for advice you gave years ago. Run-off cover protects you for claims made after you have stopped trading. Without it, you are personally liable for past work.

No. Standard policies rarely cover data breaches or hacking. If you hold sensitive client data (names, addresses, bank details), you should consider adding Cyber Insurance. This covers the cost of recovering data, notifying customers, and potential fines if you are hacked.

Yes, most brokers (like Simply Business and Superscript) allow you to pay monthly. However, be aware that some insurers charge interest (APR) for paying monthly, making it slightly more expensive than paying the full year upfront. Superscript is unique as it offers a monthly subscription model with no APR.

Our Review Methodology

Money Navigator is an independent publisher. We rate insurance providers based on:

money navigator
  • Coverage: Do they offer standard £1m/£2m/£5m limits?
  • Ease of Quote: Can you get a price online in under 5 minutes?
  • Claims Reputation: We check Trustpilot scores specifically for “claims handling” feedback.
  • Flexibility: Can you pay monthly (0% APR offers are rated higher)?

Disclaimer: Money Navigator is an independent comparison service. We may earn a commission if you apply through our links. This does not affect our ratings. Insurance covers are subject to underwriting and terms & conditions.