The boring stuff, sorted
Insurance
Only employers’ liability is legally required, and only once you employ someone. Everything else is about what would actually sink you, which is a different question from what is cheapest.
Best fit for you
These are the things that actually decide it. Find the line that sounds like you.
- You employ anyone Employers’ liability, £5 million minimum, from day one. Not optional, £2,500 a day.
- People come to you, or you go to them Public liability. Frequently demanded by clients and landlords before they will sign anything.
- People pay you for advice or design Professional indemnity. Some regulators require it; many contracts do.
- You own tools, stock or equipment Home and van policies usually exclude business use. Check rather than assume.
What catches people out
- Buying the legal minimum because it is the minimum is how people end up underinsured. Ask what the claim would actually cost.
- Renewal quotes drift upwards. Re-quote every year — it is fifteen minutes.
- Answer the questions accurately even when it costs more. An inaccurate answer is how a claim gets refused.
Your pal saysNo provider is named on this page on purpose. CompanyPal has no commercial deals yet, and a “best buy” we haven’t actually checked would be worth less than nothing to you. We’ll tell you when real ones land.
Is this one of yours?
The plan builder works out which of these apply to what you’re actually starting, and which you can ignore.