Guest House Insurance Checklist

A practical UK checklist to help guest house owners understand what insurance they need, what to review, and how to avoid gaps in cover.

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We compare quotes from leading UK guest house insurers

  • Allianz
  • Aviva
  • QBE
  • RSA
  • Zurich
  • NIG

Why Every Guest House Needs an Insurance Checklist

Running a guest house involves managing a wide range of risks - from guest injuries and property damage to employee claims, food safety incidents and cyber threats. Many guest house owners rely on a single “combined” policy without fully understanding what is included, what is excluded, or whether their cover still reflects how the business operates today.

This Guest House Insurance Checklist is designed to help UK guest house owners, B&B operators and accommodation providers review their insurance arrangements, identify gaps in cover and ensure they are adequately protected.

Use this checklist when buying insurance for the first time, renewing an existing policy, expanding your services, or purchasing a new guest house.

Core Guest House Insurance Covers – Checklist

Property & Assets


  • Buildings insurance (correct rebuild value)
  • Contents and furnishings cover
  • Fixtures, fittings and décor
  • Outbuildings, annexes or cottages
  • Accidental damage extensions

Liability Risks


  • Public & guest liability insurance
  • Employers’ liability (legal requirement)
  • Guest personal effects cover
  • Foodborne illness & contamination liability
  • Products liability (if applicable)

Buildings Insurance – What to Check

Buildings insurance should reflect the full cost of rebuilding your guest house from the ground up, including professional fees and compliance with current building regulations.

Contents, Furnishings & Equipment Checklist

  • Bedroom furniture and soft furnishings
  • TVs, electronics and Wi-Fi equipment
  • Kitchen and laundry equipment
  • Replacement cost (not depreciated value)
  • High-value items correctly specified

Public & Guest Liability – What to Review

Public liability insurance protects against claims from guests and visitors who suffer injury or property damage while on your premises.

Employers’ Liability – Legal Compliance Checklist

  • Employers’ Liability in place (minimum £5m)
  • All staff types declared (cleaners, maintenance)
  • Seasonal and casual workers included
  • Certificate accessible as required by law
  • Correct business activities declared

Food & Catering Risks – Insurance Checklist

Serving food, even just breakfast, creates additional liability exposure.

Cyber & Data Protection Checklist

  • Online booking systems declared
  • Card payment processing covered
  • Guest Wi-Fi risks addressed
  • GDPR and data breach response included
  • Business interruption from cyber events

Loss of Income & Business Interruption

If your guest house becomes unusable following insured damage, loss of income cover protects your revenue while repairs are completed.

Common Guest House Insurance Mistakes

  • Underinsuring buildings or contents
  • Failing to disclose food service
  • Not declaring staff or volunteers
  • Assuming cyber risks are included
  • Outdated policies after business changes

Why Use Insure24 to Review Your Cover?

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FAQs – Guest House Insurance Checklist

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How often should I review my guest house insurance?

At least annually, and whenever you change services, refurbish, employ staff or increase turnover.

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Do small guest houses need the same cover?

Smaller guest houses may need lower limits, but the same types of risks apply.

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Is a combined policy always best?

Often yes, but it must be correctly structured to reflect your actual risks.

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What happens if my insurance is inadequate?

Claims may be reduced, rejected, or leave you personally exposed to costs.

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Can Insure24 review my existing policy?

Yes. We regularly review existing guest house policies to identify gaps and improve protection.

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