🏢 Micro SME Insurance

Business Insurance for Small & Micro Businesses

Whether you're a sole trader, freelancer or running a small team, the right business insurance protects you, your clients and your livelihood. Compare policies tailored for UK micro SMEs.

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From sole traders to 10-person teams Same-day cover available FCA-authorised insurers

Key Types of Business Cover

Most micro businesses need a combination of these. Many can be bundled into a single policy.

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Public Liability

Covers claims from third parties (clients, members of the public) for injury or property damage caused by your business. Essential for almost every business.

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Professional Indemnity

Covers claims for financial loss caused by your professional advice or services. Required by many professional bodies and most B2B client contracts.

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Employers' Liability

Legally required if you have employees (including part-time or temporary staff). Covers claims from employees injured or made ill by work.

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Business Equipment

Covers tools, laptops and equipment against theft and damage. Essential for tradespeople, photographers, consultants and creatives.

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Cyber Insurance

Covers data breaches, ransomware attacks and cyber liability. Increasingly important for businesses handling customer data.

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Business Interruption

Covers lost revenue if you can't trade due to an insured event (fire, flood, equipment failure). Keeps cash flow alive during a crisis.

Who Needs What?

Business Type Public Liability Prof. Indemnity Employers' Liability
Sole trader / freelancer✓ Recommended✓ RecommendedNot required
Tradesperson / contractor✓ EssentialOptionalIf employing staff
Consultant / advisor✓ Recommended✓ EssentialIf employing staff
Retail / e-commerce✓ EssentialOptional✓ If staff employed
Creative / digital agency✓ Recommended✓ Essential✓ If staff employed
⚠️ Legal Requirement

Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for all UK businesses with employees, including part-time and temporary workers. The minimum level of cover is £5 million. Failure to have it can result in fines of up to £2,500 per day.

Compare SME Business Insurance

Public liability, professional indemnity and more — tailored for small UK businesses.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need business insurance as a sole trader?
You're not legally required to have public liability insurance as a sole trader (unless employers' liability applies), but most clients and contracts require it. Without it, a single claim from an injured client or damaged property could be financially ruinous.
How much professional indemnity cover do I need?
The minimum is usually £250,000, but many professional bodies and client contracts require £1 million or more. Consider the value of contracts you work on and the potential financial impact of a claim if your advice caused a client a significant loss.
Can I get same-day business insurance?
Yes — most online business insurers can issue documents immediately. If you need cover for a specific job starting today, call the insurer directly for same-day activation.
What is a BOP (Business Owner's Policy)?
A Business Owner's Policy bundles public liability, business equipment and sometimes other cover into one policy. Usually cheaper than buying each element separately, and simpler to manage with a single renewal date.