Business Insurance UK (2026): 10 Providers and Brokers

A lot of first policies get bought in a hurry, because a client contract asks for public liability cover before you can start work. That's fine, but it's worth knowing who you're buying from, because it changes who you'll talk to when something goes wrong.

The ten providers below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from each provider's own website, read as of Oct 2026. If you're still choosing your business structure, my guide to sole trader vs limited company is worth reading first.

UK business insurance providers at a glance

I checked the last column on each provider's own website, as of Oct 2026, using the same rule as every list on this site: Yes only where the page names a free plan or free edition, Trial only for a named free trial. These providers sell policies, services and contracts rather than free plans, so every row reads Not stated, which simply means the page I read didn't name one. Ask each provider for a quote based on your own details.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Aviva Business	Insurer, direct and via brokers	Small business cover, with more products through brokers	Not stated
AXA Business Insurance	Insurer with online quotes	Public liability, product liability and professional indemnity	Not stated
Direct Line for Business	Direct insurer	Tradespeople and businesses getting a quick quote	Not stated
Everywhen	Specialist broker group	Specialist personal and business cover from trusted insurers	Not stated
Hiscox	Specialist insurer	Tailored cover with a quick online quote	Not stated
Markel UK	Specialist insurer, tax and legal	Professional indemnity, cyber and legal expenses for professionals	Not stated
NFU Mutual	Member-owned insurer	SME and commercial packages tailored to the business	Not stated
PolicyBee	Online specialist broker	Small business cover for consultants and shops	Not stated
Simply Business	Online insurance for small firms and landlords	Choosing just the covers you need, landlords included	Not stated
Superscript	Online insurance with a broker service	Online cover plus specialist broking for complex risks	Not stated

Ten UK insurers, brokers and online specialists

Aviva Business

Best for: Small businesses wanting employers' liability and professional indemnity from a large insurer, with further business products available through a broker.

AXA Business Insurance

Best for: Business owners who like to read up first, with guides on public versus employers' liability, claim examples and certificates alongside an online quote.

Direct Line for Business

Best for: Tradespeople and small firms who want to be pointed to the right cover by choosing the option that fits them, then get a quote direct.

Everywhen

Best for: Businesses that want specialist cover arranged by people who understand the risks they face, from public liability to professional indemnity tailored to their profession.

Hiscox

Best for: Freelancers, consultants, contractors and sole traders who want tailored business insurance and an online quote in about five minutes.

Markel UK

Best for: Professional firms such as accountants, architects and surveyors that want professional indemnity, cyber or legal expenses cover, plus tax services and DIY legal templates.

NFU Mutual

Best for: SMEs that want insurance protecting the owner, employees and business assets, or a commercial package tailored to what the business does.

PolicyBee

Best for: Consultants and small firms wanting cover that pays legal bills, repairs and compensation if things go wrong, from a broker rated 4.8 out of 5 on reviews.

Simply Business

Best for: Sole traders, small firms and landlords who want to pick exactly the covers they need, from public liability to business equipment, without extras they don't.

Superscript

Best for: Startups and small businesses that want cover done online in minutes, with UK-based experts and specialist broking when the risk is more complex.

Two old insurance web addresses now open different brands

This one surprised me. The Digital Risks web address now lands on Superscript's business insurance page, and the old Towergate address lands on Everywhen, which describes itself as specialist personal and business insurance. So if you bookmarked a broker a few years ago, check who you're dealing with today.

The brand on the page matters less than the model behind it. Insurer, broker or online specialist decides who you'll speak to when you need to make a claim.

Insurer, broker or online specialist?

• Insurers. They write the policy and carry the risk. Some sell direct online, while one large insurer here sells further business products only through a broker.
• Brokers. They compare several insurers for you and can place harder risks. Specialist brokers suit trades and professions that standard online forms don't fit.
• Online specialists. Built for small firms and sole traders who want to choose cover, buy it and download their documents in one sitting.

Covers to understand before you ask for a quote

1. Employers' liability. If you have employees, one insurer's page says it's a legal requirement, unless they're related to you.
2. Public liability. Covers your liability to pay compensation and legal bills if a member of the public is injured, or their property damaged, because of your business.
3. Professional indemnity. Covers the legal bills of defending a claim that your services, advice or designs fell short. My explainer on professional indemnity insurance goes deeper.
4. Business equipment. Protects the laptops, tools and kit you rely on, which matters most if you work from home or on site.
5. Cyber and legal expenses. Specialist insurers offer these for firms that hold client data or face regular contract disputes.

If you're just starting out, my guide to starting a business in the UK puts insurance in context with the other first-year jobs.

Do you make insurance products for UK businesses? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on buying business insurance in the UK

Get three quotes from three different kinds of provider: one insurer, one broker and one online specialist. Read what each policy covers and excludes, not just the headline, and check the limits match what your client contracts ask for. If your work is unusual, talk to a broker rather than forcing it into an online form that doesn't fit.

Then set a reminder a month before renewal, because that's the easiest moment to compare again without a gap in cover.

Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.

Frequently asked questions

Is business insurance a legal requirement in the UK?

Employers' liability is, once you have employees, unless they're related to you, according to one large insurer's page, as of Oct 2026. Other covers depend on your work and your contracts, so check what your clients ask for.

What's the difference between an insurer and a broker?

An insurer writes the policy and pays the claim. A broker compares policies from several insurers, helps you choose and can place risks that a standard online form won't accept.

Can I buy business insurance online in the UK?

Yes. Several providers here quote online in minutes, and one says its online quote takes about five minutes. For more complex risks, a broker service is still there if you'd rather talk to someone.

What does public liability insurance cover?

It covers your liability to pay compensation and legal bills if a member of the public, such as a customer or passer-by, is injured or their property is damaged because of your business.

Why does an old broker's website show a different name?

Because brands change. When I checked, as of Oct 2026, two older UK broker addresses opened newer brands' pages, so always check the company name on your policy documents.