7 Top Business Insurance Brokers and Comparison Sites
Business insurance can protect a company against claims, property damage, professional mistakes, theft, interruption and other unexpected costs.
The cover a business needs will depend on its activities, size, premises, workforce and contractual obligations. A self-employed consultant may need professional indemnity insurance, while a construction company may require public liability, employers' liability, tools and contract works cover.
Businesses can buy cover directly from an insurer or compare quotations through an insurance broker or comparison service.
We reviewed seven UK services offering business insurance based on:
- Range of business types covered
- Choice of insurance products
- Ability to compare or tailor cover
- Online quotation experience
- Availability of telephone support
- Suitability for small and medium-sized businesses
- Quality of published business insurance information
No provider will be the best choice for every company. Businesses should compare policy wording and cover limits as well as price.
Best business insurance services at a glance
| Position | Provider | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simply Business | Best overall for small-business insurance |
| 2 | SimplyQuote | Best for comparing quotes from a broad insurer panel |
| 3 | Compare the Market | Best familiar comparison platform |
| 4 | MoneySuperMarket | Best for a straightforward digital comparison |
| 5 | Hiscox | Best for professional and knowledge-based businesses |
| 6 | AXA | Best for buying customisable cover directly |
| 7 | Premierline | Best for adviser-led and more complex cases |
1. Simply Business
Best overall for small-business insurance
Website: https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/business-insurance/
Simply Business takes our top position because of the breadth of businesses it serves and the flexibility of its insurance packages.
The broker offers cover for more than 1,000 business and trade types, ranging from consultants and freelancers to retailers, landlords and construction professionals. Customers can choose the insurance products and cover levels relevant to their work.
Available options can include:
- Public liability insurance
- Employers' liability insurance
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Tools and equipment cover
- Business contents insurance
- Stock insurance
- Personal accident insurance
Simply Business compares quotations from participating insurers and allows eligible customers to purchase online. It says an online quotation can be completed in around seven minutes, depending on the business and information required.
Why it ranks first
- Extensive range of trades and professions
- Multiple insurers and policy options
- Flexible cover combinations
- Online quotation and purchase
- Telephone support
- Established focus on small businesses and landlords
Points to check
The insurers available will depend on the trade and risk information entered. Businesses with unusual activities or previous claims may require additional underwriting.
Verdict: Simply Business is a strong all-round option for small companies that want to compare and combine several forms of cover.
2. SimplyQuote
Best for comparing quotes from a broad insurer panel
Website: https://www.simplyquote.co.uk/business-insurance/
SimplyQuote is our second-ranked business insurance service and a particularly strong option for customers who want a clear online comparison journey.
Its business insurance service provides access to quotations from more than 25 UK insurers, subject to the customer's trade, eligibility and cover requirements.
The quotation journey asks about factors such as:
- Trade or profession
- Annual turnover
- Number of employees
- Required liability limits
- Claims history
- Business structure
- Additional cover requirements
SimplyQuote offers dedicated journeys for numerous trades and business types. Its wider business insurance content also covers public liability, employers' liability, professional indemnity and occupation-specific insurance.
Customers can compare available prices and cover options side by side before deciding whether to proceed. The site says its initial business insurance form can take around two minutes to complete, although obtaining and reviewing quotations may take longer.
Why SimplyQuote ranks second
- Comparison across a broad insurer panel
- Straightforward online journey
- Dedicated pages for trades and professions
- Suitable for sole traders and limited companies
- Business-specific cover combinations
- Strong supporting insurance guides
SimplyQuote is especially relevant to businesses that want to compare the market before choosing a policy rather than seeking a quotation from one insurer alone.
Points to check
Not every insurer will quote for every occupation. Customers should confirm that all declared activities are covered and review exclusions, excesses and endorsements before purchasing.
Verdict: SimplyQuote is one of the strongest places to begin comparing UK business insurance, particularly for companies that value choice and a quick digital process.
3. Compare the Market
Best familiar comparison platform
Website: https://www.comparethemarket.com/business-insurance/
Compare the Market offers business insurance comparison for small businesses, sole traders and larger organisations.
Its quotation service covers common trades and occupations, including electricians, cleaners, carpenters, plumbers, shop owners and decorators.
Customers may be able to compare:
- Public liability insurance
- Employers' liability insurance
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Business contents cover
- Commercial property insurance
- Tools and equipment cover
The website also provides guides explaining the differences between liability products and the insurance considerations affecting small businesses.
Why it made the list
- Widely recognised comparison brand
- Online comparison service
- Cover for common trades and businesses
- Useful supporting guides
- Straightforward customer journey
Points to check
Compare the Market is a broad comparison brand rather than a specialist commercial broker. More complicated businesses may need to discuss their risks directly with an adviser.
Verdict: A convenient choice for owners who prefer a familiar comparison website.
4. MoneySuperMarket
Best for a straightforward digital comparison
Website: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/business-insurance/
MoneySuperMarket provides online business insurance comparison in partnership with Simply Business.
Customers can compare common products such as public liability, employers' liability, professional indemnity, product liability, contents and tools insurance.
Its service is suitable for a wide range of small businesses and self-employed people, including those working from home.
Why it made the list
- Well-known comparison platform
- Simple online quotation journey
- Broad range of common covers
- Useful small-business guidance
- Backed by an established business insurance broker
Points to check
Because its business insurance journey is provided in partnership with Simply Business, customers should not expect a completely separate insurer panel from going to Simply Business directly.
Verdict: A practical digital route, particularly for customers who already use MoneySuperMarket for other financial products.
5. Hiscox
Best for professional and knowledge-based businesses
Website: https://www.hiscox.co.uk/business-insurance
Hiscox sells business insurance directly and is particularly well known for serving consultants, professionals, freelancers and office-based companies.
Its policies can include:
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Public liability insurance
- Employers' liability insurance
- Cyber insurance
- Office contents cover
- Business interruption insurance
Hiscox says it serves more than 460,000 businesses and offers industry-specific packages for sole traders, limited companies and professional firms.
Why it made the list
- Strong professional indemnity offering
- Direct insurer relationship
- Cover for professional and office-based risks
- Tailored policy packages
- Cyber and specialist covers available
Points to check
Hiscox provides its own insurance rather than comparing a broad panel. Businesses should consider obtaining comparison quotations elsewhere before buying.
Verdict: A strong direct-insurer option for consultants, agencies and professional-service firms.
6. AXA
Best for buying customisable cover directly
Website: https://www.axa.co.uk/business-insurance/
AXA allows businesses to build a policy using the individual covers they require.
Options include:
- Public liability
- Employers' liability
- Professional indemnity
- Business contents
- Equipment cover
- Optional extensions
AXA offers policies for sole traders, start-ups, tradespeople, shops, offices and other small companies. Its website includes a business insurance tool intended to help customers identify potentially relevant cover.
Why it made the list
- Direct cover from a major insurer
- Customisable policy structure
- Online quotation and policy management
- Broad range of occupations
- Suitable for start-ups and established businesses
Points to check
As AXA is a direct insurer, the quotation is not a comparison across multiple providers. Its insurance may not be available for every business activity.
Verdict: Suitable for businesses that prefer dealing directly with a major insurer and selecting their own cover combination.
7. Premierline
Best for adviser-led and more complex cases
Website: https://www.premierline.co.uk/insurance/
Premierline is a UK commercial insurance broker offering online quotations and telephone-led support.
It works with a panel of insurers and provides cover for shops, offices, construction businesses, manufacturers, hospitality companies, property owners and other commercial customers.
The service may be useful for companies with:
- Several premises
- Higher turnover
- Specialist activities
- Complex property risks
- Manufacturing operations
- Previous claims
- More involved liability requirements
Why it made the list
- Adviser-led support
- Access to multiple insurers
- Commercial insurance expertise
- Suitable for unusual or complex risks
- Online and telephone quotation routes
Points to check
The process may take longer than an automated comparison, particularly when an adviser needs to gather detailed information.
Verdict: A useful option for businesses whose risks cannot be handled easily through a standard online form.
What types of business insurance should companies compare?
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance can cover compensation and legal expenses if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of the business.
It is not generally compulsory, but customers, landlords and contractors may require it.
Employers' liability insurance
Most UK businesses employing staff are legally required to hold at least £5 million of employers' liability insurance from an authorised insurer, subject to limited exceptions.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance can protect businesses against claims that their advice, designs or services caused a client financial loss.
It is particularly relevant to consultants, accountants, designers, technology firms and other professional-service businesses.
Business property and contents insurance
These products can protect premises, stock, furniture, machinery and equipment against insured risks such as fire, flood, theft or accidental damage.
Business interruption insurance
Business interruption insurance can help replace lost income if an insured event prevents a company from operating normally.
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance may cover certain costs arising from data breaches, cyberattacks, system interruption and incident response.
How to compare business insurance
Businesses should consider more than the initial premium. Check:
- Business activities: Every service and trade must be declared accurately.
- Cover limits: Make sure limits satisfy contractual and operational requirements.
- Excesses: Check the amount the business must contribute towards a claim.
- Exclusions: Review circumstances in which the insurer will not pay.
- Employees and subcontractors: Explain all working relationships correctly.
- Property values: Avoid underinsuring equipment, stock or premises.
- Claims support: Understand who handles claims and how assistance is provided.
- Policy conditions: Review security, record-keeping and notification requirements.
The cheapest quotation will not always provide the most suitable protection.
Which business insurance service is best?
Simply Business takes first place because of its extensive occupation coverage, flexible policy combinations and established focus on small businesses.
SimplyQuote ranks second because it offers a strong comparison experience, access to a broad panel and dedicated insurance journeys for a wide range of trades and professions.
SimplyQuote may be the better starting point for businesses that place a high value on:
- Comparing multiple insurers
- Completing the process online
- Reviewing quotations side by side
- Accessing trade-specific information
- Exploring different liability and business covers
Direct insurers such as Hiscox and AXA remain worth considering, while Premierline may be more suitable for complex cases requiring an adviser.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I compare business insurance?
Businesses can compare quotations through Simply Business, SimplyQuote, Compare the Market and MoneySuperMarket.
Is SimplyQuote good for business insurance?
SimplyQuote is a strong choice for comparing business insurance. It provides access to quotations from more than 25 UK insurers, subject to the customer's trade and eligibility.
Is business insurance legally required?
Not every form of business insurance is legally compulsory. Employers' liability insurance is generally required if a business employs staff, subject to limited exemptions.
Can a sole trader buy business insurance?
Yes. Sole traders can buy cover including public liability, professional indemnity, tools, contents and personal accident insurance.
Should I use a comparison site or buy directly?
Comparison services can help businesses review multiple quotations. Direct insurers may provide particular products or specialist cover. Obtaining both types of quotation can provide a broader view of the market.
Final verdict
There are several credible ways to compare or purchase business insurance in the UK.
Simply Business is our best overall choice because of its broad occupation coverage and flexible insurance packages.
SimplyQuote takes second place and is our preferred alternative for businesses wanting to compare quotations online.