My Account
We compare quotes from leading insurers
THE COMPLETE BUSINESS INSURANCE CHECKLIST
Essential protection for SMEs, retailers, wholesalers and office-based businesses
Every business has different insurance needs, but most face common exposures across property, liability, revenue, equipment, staff and regulatory requirements. This checklist helps you quickly identify which covers apply to your business - and the risks they protect against.
1. Property, Contents & Stock
Insurance for the physical assets your business depends on.
- Buildings & premises cover
- Tenant improvements & fixtures
- Contents & business equipment
- Stock, inventory & seasonal increases
- Theft, vandalism & malicious damage
- Accidental damage & storm/flood cover
- Portable tools & laptops off-site
- Goods at third-party premises
- Equipment breakdown cover
2. Liability Insurance
Cover to protect you against claims from customers, staff or the public.
- Public Liability Insurance
- Product Liability Insurance
- Employers’ Liability (legal requirement for most businesses)
- Professional Indemnity (if giving advice or design)
- Management Liability / Directors & Officers
- Treatment & service liability (where applicable)
- Tenant liability / landlord’s fixtures & fittings
3. Business Interruption & Revenue Protection
Cover to protect cashflow if you cannot trade as normal following an insured event.
- Loss of gross profit
- Loss of revenue or turnover
- Fixed overheads & ongoing costs
- Additional increased cost of working
- Alternative premises & relocation costs
- Supplier & customer dependency risk
- Utility interruption cover
- Denial of access / public authority closure
4. Cyber, Data & Technology Risks
Protection against cyber attacks, data breaches and system failures.
- Cyber liability & ransomware response
- Data breach costs & regulatory support
- Business interruption due to cyber events
- IT system restoration & forensic investigation
- Social engineering & funds transfer fraud
5. Commercial Vehicles, Fleet & Goods-in-Transit
Cover for vehicles used for deliveries, staff travel, distribution and logistics.
- Commercial vehicle insurance
- Fleet insurance (cars, vans, trucks)
- Goods-in-transit cover
- Own goods & courier cover
- Haulage & distribution risks
6. Staff, HR & Legal Protection
Covers that help protect your people and your business from legal and employment-related risks.
- Employers’ Liability
- Legal expenses insurance
- Employment disputes cover
- Personal accident cover
- Employee dishonesty / fidelity cover
“This checklist helped us understand which covers we actually needed - and Insure24 packaged everything into a competitive combined insurance policy.”
Retail Business OwnerA COMPLETE INSURANCE CHECKLIST FOR SMEs
- Protect your premises, stock and equipment
- Meet legal liability requirements
- Safeguard income and cashflow
- Cover staff, vehicles and cyber risks
- Flexible packages to suit every business
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
+-
+
-
What insurance does every small business need?
Most SMEs need property insurance, public liability, employers’ liability, business interruption
and contents / stock cover. Depending on the business type, cyber, professional indemnity or management liability may also be essential.
+
-
Is employers’ liability insurance compulsory?
Yes - if you employ staff (even part-time, casual or temporary), employers’ liability is a legal requirement for most UK businesses.
+
-
What level of public liability do I need?
Common limits are £1m, £2m and £5m, but higher levels may be needed for retailers, wholesalers,
client contract requirements or businesses interacting heavily with the public.
+
-
Which covers help protect my business revenue?
Business interruption insurance protects income and fixed costs following insured damage.
Cyber insurance can also include revenue protection for digital outages or cyber attacks.
+
-
Do retailers and wholesalers need specialist cover?
Yes - stock protection, goods-in-transit, product liability and seasonal stock increases are typically essential for retail and wholesale operations.
+ -
What insurance does every small business need?
+ -
Is employers’ liability insurance compulsory?
+ -
What level of public liability do I need?
+ -
Which covers help protect my business revenue?
+ -
Do retailers and wholesalers need specialist cover?
Related Commercial Combined Checklist Guides
These are the strongest next pages when combined-policy checklist enquiries need comparing with wider business insurance, liability, cyber or structure decisions.
Core Checklist Pages
Core Product Links
Related Commercial Paths
More Commercial Combined Insurance Topics
Explore related cover for business insurance planning, selecting sections and limits, policy wording, and preparing for renewal or first placement.