Business Insurance Brokers
The Cover Your Business Deserves
Running a business always involves some level of risk, whether it’s property damage, legal claims, theft, accidents, or unexpected interruptions. With the right business insurance, you can protect your operations, employees, and finances while you focus on running the business, knowing your cover is handled properly. Allowing your company to grow with confidence.
At Edinburgh Insurance Brokers, we act as an intermediary between businesses and insurers, offering flexible business insurance solutions tailored to your business type, size, and industry. We support all businesses, from start-ups and small enterprises to established organizations. Clear communication is a key part of the brokerage support we provide. Your cover is designed specifically around your needs, never a one-size-fits-all policy.
What Business Insurance Covers
Every policy is built around your real-world risks and can include:
- Property damage protection for buildings and contents
- Liability insurance for claims and legal costs
- Business interruption cover if trading stops
- Equipment and stock protection
- Commercial vehicle insurance for business vehicles
- Commercial property insurance for offices, shops, or units
Every policy is tailored to your business, so you only pay for what you actually need.
Who Needs Business Insurance?
If you run a company of any size, having business protection is strongly recommended, especially for small business owners and any sole trader business. We support a wide range of independent clients, including:
• Small businesses and start-ups
• Retailers and hospitality businesses
• Tradespeople and contractors
• Consultants and professional services
• Manufacturers and wholesalers
Even a single claim can be costly, but the right commercial insurance policy helps guarantee your business is protected.
What Can I Cover Under Business Insurance?
Every business is different, which is why business insurance can be tailored around the risks you face. Depending on your industry, how you operate and the level of protection you need, your policy could include a combination of the following covers.
Public Liability Insurance
What it covers:
Public liability insurance can protect your business if a member of the public is injured, or their property is accidentally damaged, as a result of your business activities. It can also help cover compensation claims and associated legal costs.
Who needs it:
Public liability is particularly useful for businesses that work directly with customers or members of the public, whether you operate from your own premises or work at customer sites.
Example of a claim:
A plumber is repairing a boiler in a customer’s home when a tool accidentally falls and damages an expensive tiled floor. The customer asks the plumber to pay for the repairs. Public liability insurance could help cover the compensation and legal costs, subject to the policy terms.
Is it a legal requirement?
No, public liability insurance is not generally a legal requirement in the UK. However, certain contracts, customers and organisations may require you to have a specified level of cover before you can carry out work for them.
Employers’ Liability Insurance
What it covers:
Employers’ liability insurance protects your business if an employee becomes injured or ill as a result of their work. It can cover compensation claims and associated legal expenses.
Who needs it:
Most businesses that employ staff are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. This can include full-time and part-time employees, as well as certain temporary or casual workers.
Example of a claim:
An employee working in a warehouse, falls while retrieving stock from a shelf and suffers a back injury. They are unable to work for several weeks and make a claim against their employer. Employers’ liability insurance could help cover compensation and legal costs, subject to the policy terms.
Is it a legal requirement?
Yes, in the UK it is a legal requirement to have an employers’ liability insurance policy in place if you have any staff.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
What it covers:
Professional indemnity insurance can protect your business if a client claims that your professional advice, services or work has caused them a financial loss. It can cover compensation and legal costs, subject to the terms of your policy.
Who needs it:
Professional indemnity is particularly relevant to businesses that provide advice, consultancy, design or other professional services. This can include architects, consultants, accountants, designers, surveyors and IT professionals.
Example of a claim:
An accountant accidentally provides incorrect financial advice to a client, resulting in the client making a costly business decision. The client claims that the accountant’s mistake caused them a financial loss.
Is it a legal requirement?
Professional indemnity insurance is not generally a legal requirement. However, some professional bodies, regulators, clients or contracts may require you to have it in place.
Business Contents Insurance
What it covers:
Business contents insurance can protect the equipment, stock, furniture, fixtures and other contents your business relies on against risks such as theft, fire or accidental damage, depending on the policy.
Who needs it:
Any business with valuable equipment, stock or contents could benefit from this type of cover. This could include retailers, tradespeople, restaurants, offices, salons, workshops and home-based businesses.
Example of a claim:
A shop is broken into overnight and thieves steal stock, computers and other business equipment. Business contents insurance could help cover the cost of replacing the insured items, subject to the policy terms and limits.
Is it a legal requirement?
No, business contents insurance is not generally a legal requirement. However, you may be required to have certain insurance by a landlord, lender, lease agreement or finance provider.
Do I need business protection?
Some types of commercial insurance are legally required. For example, employers’ liability cover is mandatory if you hire staff, and your coverage should be reviewed as the business grows, changes, or starts expanding into new markets. Proactive risk management also helps identify emerging issues. Others aren’t compulsory but are highly advisable to safeguard your company against unexpected losses, claims, or disruptions.
How much does business insurance cost?
Insurers consider a range of factors when assessing the level of risk associated with your business. Some of the main factors that can affect the cost of your cover include:
- The type of business you run – Different trades and industries face different levels of risk.
- Company size and turnover – The size and annual turnover of your business can influence the level of cover required and your premium.
- Number of employees – If you employ staff, you may need employers’ liability insurance, which can affect the overall cost.
- Previous claims history – Your business’s previous claims can be taken into account when insurers calculate your premium.
- Where and how you work – Your premises, the type of work you carry out and whether you work on customer sites can all influence the risks involved.
- Additional cover – Cover such as commercial vehicle insurance, tools and equipment, professional indemnity or business interruption can be added depending on your needs.
Brokers can provide access to policies from multiple insurers, including options not available directly to the public. They can also compare quotes side by side and may secure broker-only rates.
Tailored Business Insurance for Small Businesses and Trades
Every business is unique, and so are the risks you face. Whether you run a local trade business, manage a growing company, or work as a self-employed professional, having the right insurance in place can give you greater confidence and financial protection when things don’t go to plan. You can start arranging tailored cover with us in person, by phone or online.
At Edinburgh Insurance Brokers, we take the time to understand your business, how you operate and the risks you’re most likely to encounter.
From public liability and employers’ liability to professional indemnity, commercial vehicles, tools and equipment, we can help you identify the types of cover your business may need. Our aim is to make business insurance straightforward, helping you find the right cover to suit your needs, with clear advice and no unnecessary jargon.