Small business insurance
With over 25 years’ experience insuring businesses, our specialist small business insurance is designed to cover a wide range of risks facing professionals, contractors, freelancers and self-employed business owners.
What is business insurance?
Business insurance is there to cover you from unexpected losses that you may suffer in the course of your normal activities. There are many different types of financial cover available that come under the umbrella of business insurance, from employers’ liability protection and professional indemnity cover to office insurance.
Why do I need small business insurance?
As a business owner, freelancer, consultant or contractor, you will face certain risks in your day-to-day work that may result in you facing legal action and financial losses. For example:
- You might make a mistake in a piece of work that causes a client to suffer a financial loss.
- A visitor to your workplace may slip on a wet floor and injure themselves.
- An employee could trip over a cable and suffer an injury as a result.
- Your premises may be broken into and various important items, including computers, are taken.
If you encounter unforeseen setbacks such as these, small business insurance means that you and your employees remain protected while your company recovers. Having the right financial protection in place can help you to safeguard the future of your business, and it means you benefit from greater peace of mind.
Another reason to take out business insurance is that you might be required by clients and trade bodies to have certain types of small business liability insurance in place before you’re able to sign contracts or gain membership to professional organisations. And if you have employees, there is a high likelihood that you will be legally required to take out employers’ liability insurance.
Why choose Markel for small business insurance?
We know exactly what you need to protect your finances. Here are some of top reasons to choose us for your small business insurance:
✔ 24/7 access to a legal advice helpline
When you are facing a legal claim, you want to be able to access help immediately. We provide round-the-clock access to a legal advice helpline staffed by qualified solicitors, as well as access to a document hub.
✔ Get a quote in just 90 seconds
Getting a quote for your small business insurance is quick and easy when you come to Markel Direct. Simply fill in our online form and you’ll receive a quote in just 90 seconds.
✔ Highly rated by customers
Trusted by more than 200,000 clients, we are proud of the high ratings we receive on Feefo.com.
✔ No hidden fees
Our small business insurance policies are all designed to offer excellent value for money, and when you purchase premiums from us, you won’t face any hidden fees. Also, should you wish to cancel a policy, we won’t impose cancellation charges.
✔ 25 years of experience
With over 25 years of experience in insuring small businesses, we’re perfectly placed to offer you financial cover that you can rely on.
Other benefits include access to our fee dispute service to help with invoices that are unpaid, access to a cyber response helpline in the event of an IT security breach, discounted reviews of IR35 contracts and expert management of PR crises with The Counsel House.
How much does small business insurance cost?
We offer a range of small business insurance products for over 200 professions from as little as £5 a month*, with the option to pay in 10 interest-free monthly instalments.
Exactly how much your financial protection costs will depend on a range of factors, including the types of cover you opt for, your claims history and the nature and size of your business.
*The £5 a month price referenced is based on a legal expenses insurance policy.
How much excess or costs will I have to pay if I make a claim?
Your policy excess refers to the amount of money you will be expected to pay yourself when you make a claim. For example, if your policy excess is specified at £250 and you make a successful claim for £8,000, you will receive £7,750.
You can find details of the excesses applicable to your policy on your quote, or on the schedule if you are an existing customer.
How to buy small business insurance
Buying small business insurance with Markel is easy. Fill in our online form today to get a quote in less than two minutes.