Insurance: business property and assets

There are many different types of insurance cover your business may require depending on what it does, how it operates, and where it does business. Each type of business insurance is designed to cover a different set of risks that you face in the course of running your business including:

• liability insurance
• commercial property insurance
• business contents insurance
• commercial vehicle insurance
• cyber insurance
• working from home: business insurance
• specialist insurance for businesses

See also business insurance: the basics.

Using an insurance broker

Few business owners deal directly with insurers. Most prefer to go through an insurance broker for impartial insurance advice. Insurance brokers can advise you on whether a single insurance policy or a combination of single insurance policies would be more appropriate. Be sure to give all relevant information to the insurer, otherwise, an insurance policy may not be valid.

Find an insurance broker.

Insurance brokers, advisers and other insurance intermediaries are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and you should make sure that your adviser has FCA authorisation. Read the FCA guide to SME insurance brokers.

If you buy products or services from insurance intermediaries, you have the right to ask the intermediary how much commission they get for selling the product or service to you.

Dealing directly with an insurer

If you do choose to deal directly with an insurer, it's worthwhile checking that they are a member of the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Some key points to consider when buying insurance are:

• quotes - get quotes from several different insurers or ask your broker to do so
• comparisons - compare the levels of cover in various insurance policies to make sure you get the right level of cover that your business requires
• tailored insurance - talk to your broker about whether you need an insurance policy tailored to your specific needs

What to consider when buying insurance

Other factors to take into account when choosing an insurance policy are:

• what the insurance policy will cover
• service
• cost
• whether there is a no-claims bonus
• whether the insurer offers 24-hour legal advice and emergency helplines
• the level of excess - the amount of each claim that you will have to pay yourself
• the extent of excess to be retained by your business