Limited Company Insurance

Employers' Liability Insurance is legally required if your limited company employs staff, with minimum coverage of £5 million. Professional Indemnity Insurance may also be required depending on your industry or professional body requirements.

Costs vary significantly based on your business type, size, turnover, and risk profile. Professional Indemnity can start from £200 annually for low-risk consultancies, while comprehensive packages for higher-risk businesses may cost several thousand pounds. We provide tailored quotes based on your specific requirements.

Key factors include business type and sector, annual turnover, number of employees, claims history, business premises, and the level of coverage required. Higher-risk industries typically face higher premiums.

Claims Process:

• Contact us immediately on 0330 127 2333 or through your online account
• Provide full details of the incident and any supporting documentation
• Our claims team will guide you through the process and liaise with insurers
• Keep all receipts and evidence related to the claim
• Do not admit liability or make any settlements without insurer approval
• Claims are typically processed within 10-15 working days for straightforward cases

Convictions Impact:

• You must declare any unspent convictions for company directors and key personnel
• Minor convictions (e.g., traffic offenses) typically have minimal impact
• Fraud, theft, or dishonesty convictions may significantly affect premiums or availability
• Each case is assessed individually by insurers
• Spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act generally don't need declaring
• Non-disclosure of relevant convictions can void your policy
• We work with specialist insurers who consider applications with adverse backgrounds

Adverse Credit Considerations:

• Poor credit history can impact insurance availability and pricing
• Insurers may require credit checks for company directors
• CCJs, bankruptcies, or IVAs must typically be declared
• Recent financial difficulties have more impact than older, resolved issues
• Some insurers specialize in providing cover for businesses with credit issues
• Higher deposits or annual payments may be required
• Improving credit score over time can lead to better insurance terms
• We can access specialist markets for adverse credit situations

Yes, previous claims don't automatically prevent you from getting insurance, but they will affect your premium and terms. Insurers will want details of all claims in the last 5 years, including the nature, cause, and settlement amount. Multiple claims or high-value settlements may require specialist insurers.

Non-disclosure of material facts (including claims history, convictions, or credit issues) can result in your policy being voided, claims being rejected, or coverage being cancelled. Always provide complete and accurate information during the application process.

Limited companies have separate legal identity from their owners, requiring different insurance considerations. Limited companies need Employers' Liability if they have staff, while sole traders typically don't. Professional Indemnity for limited companies often includes corporate legal entity protection, and Directors & Officers insurance is specific to company structures. Premiums may differ due to perceived risk levels and legal structures.

Even dormant companies may need basic insurance coverage, particularly if they hold assets, have ongoing contracts, or directors could face personal liability. Professional Indemnity may be required for previous work, and Directors & Officers insurance protects against regulatory investigations. Consult with our specialists to determine minimum coverage requirements for your dormant company.

Yes, we can often arrange same-day cover for many types of business insurance. Public Liability and Employers' Liability can frequently be arranged within hours. Professional Indemnity and more complex covers may require additional underwriting time. Contact us on 0330 127 2333 for urgent cover requirements.

You must notify your insurer when directors change, as this affects your risk profile. New directors' backgrounds, qualifications, and experience will be assessed. Previous convictions, credit history, or claims experience of new directors may impact premiums. Failure to notify changes could invalidate your policy. We'll help manage director changes smoothly with your insurers.

Cyber insurance is increasingly essential for all businesses handling customer data, using online systems, or accepting digital payments. Small companies are often targeted due to weaker security. Coverage includes data breach response, business interruption from cyber attacks, and liability for customer data loss. Many clients now require suppliers to have cyber insurance.

Contractors typically need their own insurance, but you should verify their coverage and consider contingent liability protection. Employees require Employers' Liability insurance. The employment status determination affects your insurance needs - IR35 considerations may impact coverage requirements. Always confirm contractor insurance status and maintain appropriate documentation.

Yes, start-up limited companies can obtain insurance without trading history. Insurers will assess based on business plans, director experience, and industry sector. Premiums may be higher initially due to unknown risk profile. Professional Indemnity may have restrictions on retroactive cover. We work with insurers who specialize in new business ventures.

Employers' Liability insurance is legally required if you employ anyone (including family members), with minimum £5 million coverage. You must display the certificate prominently. Some industries have additional mandatory requirements - financial services, construction, or professional services may need specific coverage levels or types.

Consider your largest contract value, potential client losses from errors, industry standards, and client requirements. Many clients specify minimum PI levels (£1-10 million common). Factor in legal costs, which can be substantial even for defended claims. Higher-risk services or larger clients typically require higher coverage levels.

Common exclusions include hazardous activities, professional advice outside your expertise, work in certain countries, pollution, cyber risks (unless specifically covered), and contractual penalties. Aviation, marine, nuclear risks, and deliberate acts are typically excluded. We'll identify any exclusions relevant to your business and arrange additional coverage if needed.

Yes, but geographic coverage varies by insurer and policy type. EU coverage is common, worldwide coverage available for higher premiums. Some territories (USA, Canada) may be excluded or require specialist coverage. Professional Indemnity and Public Liability need careful consideration for international work. We can arrange global coverage through specialist insurers.

Required documents typically include: Companies House information, recent accounts, business plan or description, details of directors and key personnel, previous insurance details, and claims history. Some insurers may require professional qualifications, health and safety policies, or client contracts. We'll guide you through the documentation requirements.

Your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code directly impacts premiums as it indicates your business risk level. Higher-risk SIC codes (construction, financial services) face higher premiums. Multiple SIC codes may require broader coverage. Ensure your SIC codes accurately reflect all business activities to avoid coverage gaps or claim disputes.

Per claim limits apply to each individual claim, while aggregate limits cap total claims in a policy year. For example, £1 million per claim with £3 million aggregate means maximum £1 million per incident, but only £3 million total annually. Professional Indemnity often uses per claim limits, while Public Liability may use aggregate limits.