Small business insurance help

Your business insurance documents are available whenever you need them by signing in to your Direct Line for Business online account.

View your small business insurance documents

Different businesses require different types of insurance, that's why we let you pick and choose the covers that go into your policy. So, whether you're a retailer or a dog groomer, an IT consultant or a photographer, you can choose the cover that's just right for your business.

You can include any of the following cover types in your small business insurance policy:

• Public liability insurance
• Product liability insurance
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Employers' liability insurance
• Buildings cover
• Contents and stock cover
• Theft of takings
• Business interruption
• Cyber insurance
• Legal expenses

Different businesses will need different levels of cover, so the cost of insuring a business will differ. We let you design your own Small Business Insurance, so you're in control of what aspects of your business you insure and how much you pay.

The cost of your business insurance quotes will be affected by: the size of your business, number of employees, type of trade and your history of insurance claims.

In most cases, business insurance is optional, but some clients and companies may require proof of insurance before agreeing to work with you.

Event organisers, for example, may need to see proof of public liability insurance before letting you trade at their craft fair. A business professional may require you to show proof of professional indemnity insurance before hiring you as a consultant.

If you hire employees, you are legally required to take out at least £5 million in employers' liability insurance. To understand your legal responsibilities and what the exceptions are, read more about employers' liability.

A micro business is defined as an enterprise that employs nine people or fewer. As of 2017, micro businesses count for 96% of the UK's business landscape and, as you might expect, there are many different types of micro business.

If you can't find your trade using our online tool then you can chat to us online, message us on WhatsApp message us on WhatsApp or call us on 0345 301 5066 and we'll see if we can provide cover for your trade.