What is business insurance ?

Business insurance is insurance coverage to protect the business against any kind of losses occurring due to routine business or accidental events. It covers the business against unforeseen or emergency events like property damage, legal liability and employee related risks. It is an alternative financial arrangement even if some third party was accidentally injured in your premises. In many corporations, the business insurance is a mandatory legal requirement.

What are the different types of business insurance in the UK?

Following types of business insurances are available in the UK:

  • Commercial building insurance
  • Business contents insurance
  • Public liability insurance
  • Employer’s liability insurance
  • Professional indemnity insurance
  • Other specialist and tailor made policies

    What does the public liability insurance stand for?

    It covers the cost of injury to the employee or any third party on your premises. It could be due to business operation or otherwise. If someone meets with a severe or simple injury on your campus then you need to pay him the medical expense. So, it is important that you buy a public liability insurance at the beginning of the business.

    The public liability insurance premiums are calculated on the basis of the kind of business, turnover, number of employees, health & safety records, claims made in the past and level of exposure to customers or clients. If you have a clean record with no accidents in your office premises then you tend to get lower premiums.

    What does employer’s liability insurance stand for?

    This is a legal requirement of all the UK based businesses. This insurance is a financial arrangement that comes into the picture when someone gets injured or falls ill because of the work.

    Does business insurance cover include tools and equipment?

    Tools, equipment and stock fall in the category of business content insurance. Make sure you buy business content insurance along with commercial building insurance to cover the property as well as content of your business. The estimated value of cover can be decided after considering the business requirements and the value of your stock. Also, consult your insurance provider if you need a new-for-old cover in case the items got damaged, lost or stolen.

    How are premiums calculated for business insurance?

    Business insurance premiums are calculated based on the following factors:

  • Business size
  • Type of business
  • Location
  • Age of the business
  • Amount of cover needed
  • Previous claims

    Is business insurance a legal requirement?

    Not in case of all businesses. However, employer’s liability insurance is mandatory for all businesses. It is always advisable to have a cover that protects your business, staff, clients and public, if it is involved in the running of the business. Therefore, it is always advantageous for businesses to have an insurance.

    What is business interruption cover?

    This cover is very helpful if in any case your business or trade stops working. Due to any unavoidable situation if your business comes to a halt then this cover helps to cover the cost to make it up and running. It also covers the cost of damaged or stolen equipment, due to which the business came to a hold.

  • Author's Bio: 

    Brijesh is a financial adviser by profession at freepricecompare.com and an avid writer by passion. He writes on personal finance and smart business management but he never restricts his pen for just one or two topics. When he isn’t writing, he is spending time to find advance technique of farming and its way of applying. He also plays his guitar gifted by his father.