Startup Insurance
Specialist business insurance for startups, from only £3.14 per month.* Get an instant quote online.
- Public Liability included
- Join over 150,000 customers**
- Over 3,000 5* reviews
From £3.14* a month
What does startup insurance cover?
Starting a business comes with plenty of excitement — and risk. Startup insurance helps safeguard your venture from unexpected claims and financial setbacks, giving you the confidence to grow.
Whether you’re offering a service, working hands-on with clients, or running a small operation from home, you can build a policy that suits your activities. Core liability protection comes as standard, and you can add optional extras like business equipment cover, employers’ liability, or additional legal support as your business develops.
Our flexible cover works for sole traders, freelancers and small teams, especially if you provide more than one service. That means you only pay for the protection that matches your business today, with the option to adapt as you scale.
Before getting started, review your policy details to ensure everything you do is covered and check for any exclusions related to your work.
Public Liability
Professional Indemnity
Employers' Liability
Business Equipment
Public Liability
- Up to £10 million of cover available.
- Protection from claims by a third-party who sustains injuries or has their property damaged, whereby you or your business is responsible.
Loss of Keys
- Key Cover up to £10,000.
- Cover includes new keys and locks, the cost of re-setting intruder alarms and associated call-out costs if you were to lose them.
Care, Custody & Control of Animals
- Cover up to £100,000 – £25,000 limit for any one Animal.
- If an animal in your care (or your staff) is: Accidentally lost; Suffers an injury; Becomes ill; Suffers a fatality.
Business Equipment
- £250 of business equipment included as standard.
- Increase up to £30,000 of business equipment cover.
- Grooming, training and other business tools covered.
- Protection against theft, loss and accidental damage, allowing you to replace items to the value you select.
Non-Negligent Cover
- Similar to the Care, Custody and Control protection If an animal suffers during the course of service delivery through no fault of your business:
- Accidental loss, Injury & Illness, Death of an animal in your care.
Close Family Extension
- Close family members are covered within the Public Liability, to assist you with your business. This includes your husband, wife, son, daughter or other close family.
- You don’t need to take out Employers’ Liability with this extension.
Loss of Money
- Cover for losses up to £1,000 or £5,000 of physical money (coins or notes) obtained through your insured activities. This money is covered while at your business premises, your home, or the home of any partner, director, or authorised employee, as well as when in transit for business trips.
- Up to £1,000 of cover for losses due to dishonest acts by any employee. Claims must be made within 14 days of discovering the loss, and you should take all reasonable steps to prevent such losses.
Travel Expense Reimbursement
- If a pet in your care is accidentally killed, stolen, or goes missing for more than 48 hours, we’ll cover the owner’s extra travel expenses. So, if the owner has to cut their holiday short because of their pet’s death, for example, we’ll reimburse up to £1,000 of their extra costs.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million of cover.
- Protection from claims against employee incidents if someone suffers a work-related injury and brings a claim against you.
Legal Expenses
- Up to £10,000 indemnity for legal defence and tax protection.
- Access to 24-hour helpline, for legal, tax, or counselling, to support you in running your business.
Professional Indemnity
- Up to £1 million of cover
- This protects you from damages caused by your mistakes, errors, or negligence in your professional work, including those made by your employees.
Personal Accident
- Up to £25,000, subject to those insured being under eighty (80) years of age.
- This policy covers specified individuals for any accidents that may occur while conducting the insured business activities. It is a benefit policy that provides fixed amounts based on the type of injury sustained, including coverage for accidental death, loss of sight or limbs, and temporary total disablement.
- Dog walkers are limited to walk a maximum of 6 dogs at one time.
- Dogs or crossbreeds of dogs classified under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Refer to government websites for updates in the law.
- Pre-existing medical conditions in animals.
- Injuries to animals you own can occur during incidents that happen while caring for other animals or during your personal time.
- Caring for non-domestic animals.
- Your business operating without a licence when a licence is a mandatory requirement e.g. animal boarding.
For further information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Professional Indemnity and Professional Treatment
- From £1 million to £5 million of cover.
- Protection from claims by a third-party (client or member of the public) who sustains injuries or has their property damaged as a result of your actions or advice that you provide.
Third Party Property Damage
- Cover for any non-negligent loss or damage to others’ property that you may cause while providing your therapies.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million of cover.
- Protection from claims against employee incidents if someone suffers a work-related injury and brings a claim against you.
Business Equipment
- From £500 to £3000 worth of cover
- Cover is provided on a new for old basis for items under three years old, meaning that regardless of whether you have had the item for three months or three years, we will replace it with a brand-new equivalent if the damage is irreparable.
Equipment Hire
- From £750 worth of cover
Personal Accident
- Protection from workplace accidents.
- A selection of incidents can be claimed for under this benefit including accidental death, permanent total disablement and temporary total disablement.
Legal Expenses
- Access to a legal helpline and a counselling service in addition to legal defence costs.
- The cover can be upgraded further to include employment disputes, property disputes, health and safety disputes and more.
- Treatments you are not qualified to do.
- Treatments that are not listed on your proposal form and subsequent schedule of insurance.
- Any services provided overseas.
- Prescription or supply of medicines and other pharmaceutical.
- The use of non-proprietary products to aid your therapy.
For further information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Public Liability for Professional Treatment
- From £2 million to £10 million of cover.
- Protection from claims by a third-party who gets injured during an appointment or has their property damaged.
- Cover for the professional treatments you provide including protection if a treatment you perform causes injury or damage, such as harm to a client’s hair or an adverse reaction to a product.
Business Equipment & Stock
- Up to £250 of cover included, with a £75 excess.
- Add up to £12,000 worth of cover at additional rates.
- Cover is provided on a new for old basis for items under three years old, meaning that regardless of whether you have had the item for three months or three years, we will replace it with a brand-new equivalent if the damage is irreparable.
Equipment Hire
- Cover for the cost of temporarily hiring equipment, if you make a valid claim under the Equipment and Stock section of your policy.
- This will occur whilst your items are being repaired or until your claim is settled, whichever happens first.
Third Party Property Damage
- Cover for any non-negligent loss or damage to others’ property that you may cause while providing your barber services.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million of cover.
- Protection from claims against employee incidents if someone suffers a work-related injury and brings a claim against you.
Personal Accident
- Protection from workplace accidents.
- A selection of incidents can be claimed for under this benefit including accidental death, permanent total disablement and temporary total disablement.
Legal Expenses
- Access to a legal helpline and a counselling service in addition to legal defence costs.
- The cover can be upgraded further to include employment disputes, property disputes, health and safety disputes and more.
- Treatments you are not qualified to do.
- If a customer dislikes their cut or treatment.
- Damage to electrical equipment, mobile phones and computer equipment used to support your business.
- Any liability cover for a premise used for the provision of the business.
- Injury to customers resulting from the use of substances, unless a sensitivity patch test has been done on those customers, at least 24 hours before you use it.
- Treatments and activities performed overseas.
For further information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Public Liability
- From £1 million to £10 million of cover.
- Protection from claims by a third-party who sustains injuries or has their property damaged as a result of your actions.
Professional Indemnity
- From £1 million to £10 million of cover.
- Protection from claims by a third-party who sustains injuries or has their property damaged as a result of advice that you provide.
Business Equipment
- £500 worth of business equipment included.
- Add up to £30,000 of business equipment cover.
- Protecting business equipment, you need for your business from loss, damage and theft.
Employers’ Liability
- £10 million worth of cover.
- Protection against liability allegations made by Employee’s and includes cover for damages rewarded and defence costs.
Personal Accident Cover
- Protection for the person(s) insured, should they suffer a bodily injury caused by an accident at the business or club insured.
- A selection of incidents can be claimed for under this benefit including accidental death, permanent total disablement and temporary total disablement.
Overseas Extension
- Work abroad for up to 30 days a year.
Select Europe or Worldwide (excluding the USA).
Legal Expenses
- Cover for up to £100,000 of cover for Legal Defence, tax protection and access to specialist help-lines.
- Option to include cover for employment, property and contract disputes, as well as health and safety appeals, jury service, court attendance and licence protection.
- Coaching any activity without the relevant qualification.
- Equipment left visible and/or in an unlocked vehicle and where the vehicle doesn’t have evidence of damage by forcible and violent means.
- Any pre-existing medical condition unless specifically agreed by us.
- Participant vs Participant – Contact Sports, we do not include cover for injury and/or damage suffered by one Participant and caused by another Participant whilst engaged in Contact Sports.
- Property owners / occupiers’ liability, we do not provide cover connected to operating and managing a premise, fitness studio or gym. This cover is for instruction / coaching only.
For further information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Why do new businesses need insurance?
Startup insurance is a smart way to manage risk from day one. It can help you meet legal obligations, while protecting your young business, the people who work with you, and the tools or assets you rely on. With the right cover in place, you’ll have support when the unexpected happens — so you can stay focused on growing.
Even when you operate responsibly, accidents and misunderstandings can occur. Our specialist startup insurance is built to help shield you from claims linked to unforeseen events. Here are a few examples of situations where a claim could arise:
Public Liability
Public liability protects you if someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your work.
Accidents can happen in any new business — a customer might trip over your business equipment, or you could accidentally damage something while working on-site. Even minor issues can turn into costly claims. Public liability cover helps protect your startup from these expenses, supporting both your finances and your reputation.
Employers' Liability
If you employ staff, even part-time, temporary, or casual workers, this cover is a legal requirement.
If you hire staff, there’s always a chance someone could become injured or unwell due to their work — and they may hold you accountable. Employers’ liability insurance helps protect your startup by covering the cost of these claims. It’s also a legal requirement for most businesses, and failing to have it in place could lead to fines of up to £2,500 per day, as well as significant compensation costs.
Professional Indemnity
If your business provides advice, designs, training, or services, mistakes can be costly.
If your advice or work doesn’t go to plan, a client could face financial loss and make a claim against you. Professional indemnity insurance helps protect your startup in these situations, covering claims of negligence, errors, or poor guidance that might otherwise lead to serious financial consequences.
Business Equipment cover
Your tools, kit, or stock are often essential for earning a living.
Whether you’re travelling for work, visiting clients, or storing tools at home, your business equipment is always at risk of being lost, damaged, or stolen. Replacing essential items can be costly — and delays can impact your ability to earn. Business equipment insurance helps your startup get back on track quickly, minimising disruption and keeping your business moving.
Our experts explain why...
“Startup insurance gives you vital protection against a wide range of risks — from liability claims to financial losses involving third parties. Without the right cover, these issues could have a serious impact on your finances. With our startup insurance in place, you can concentrate on building your business, knowing you’re supported if the unexpected happens.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does startup insurance cost?
At Protectivity policies start at just £3.14* a month.
The cost of startup insurance can vary depending on several factors, for example, if you employ staff then your policy will need additional cover in employers’ liability, at a higher cost.
Investing in specialist business insurance is not just about protecting you from financial losses. It’s a small price to pay to provide additional, professional credibility that you take your business operations seriously. We recognise that all small businesses operate in a unique way and therefore our policies are designed to pay for what you need.
Prices from
£3.14* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£3.14* a month
Policy type
Therapy Insurance
Duration
Annual
Turnover
£50,000
Public Liability
£1,000,000
Professional Indemnity
£1,000,000
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 06/10/2025. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive than the above example. The quote you receive will reflect the information you share about your event. The quoted price may vary from those displayed here.
Have a question?
For further information on your policy, renewals, making a claim and contacting us, you’ll find an extensive list of FAQs on our Help & Support page.
Why choose Protectivity for your startup insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 150,000 customers.
Experienced insurance providers for over 30 years.
Over 3,500 highly rated reviews.
Proof of our excellent customer service.
Experienced Claims Handling
A smooth and efficient claims process.
UK Based Customer Support
Our UK sales team are here to help.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Is insurance for a startup business compulsory?
Most types of business insurance are optional, but Employers’ Liability insurance is a legal requirement if you employ staff, even part-time or temporary. Other covers, such as public liability or professional indemnity, are not legally required but are strongly recommended and sometimes needed to work with certain clients or operate in specific environments.
Does startup insurance include protection for intellectual property disputes?
Protectivity’s Business Insurance does not include cover for intellectual property disputes, such as copyright or trademark issues. The policy focuses on liability protection (e.g. public liability, professional indemnity) and optional add-ons like equipment cover.
Why is business insurance important for startups?
Business insurance helps protect new ventures against unexpected costs resulting from claims, accidents, mistakes, property damage, or legal action. It ensures you won’t have to pay these expenses yourself, helping safeguard your finances, equipment, and reputation so you can concentrate on growing your business.
When should I get insurance for my startup?
As soon as you begin working with clients, using equipment, or carrying out business activities. Even early-stage work carries risk, and many venues or clients will require proof of cover before you can start.
Can I get startup insurance without registering my business?
Yes, you can arrange cover as a sole trader or freelancer without registering as a limited company. You simply need to declare the activities you carry out so the policy can be tailored to your startup.
Will changing from sole trader to limited company affect my insurance?
A change of legal structure means your policy details must be updated. You will need to notify us so your policy can be amended or replaced to reflect the new business entity.
Does public liability insurance cover my startup’s employees?
Public liability insurance covers claims made by the public, such as customers or visitors, not employees. If you have employees, you will need Employers’ Liability insurance to protect against claims from staff who are injured or become unwell due to their work.
Discover more from Protectivity
This page content has been created for general information and should not be taken as advice.
*Prices quoted refer to a quote raised from our website 06/10/2025. Prices will differ depending on requirements. Make sure you have the correct level of cover for what you need. For the most accurate pricing, please get a quote and for full details on what is covered refer to our policy documentation with your quote.
** Based on Protectivity sales data from 2007 to Sep 2024
ˆ10% discount for policies bought online and applies only to the first-year of your policy premium. Protectivity reserves the right to amend or withdraw this offer at any time. Available to UK residents only.
¹Based on live Feefo data