Protecting your business from potential risks and damage is important as you need to meet legal obligations and to ensure the survival of your business in the event of something happening. For businesses that are office-based, they have a different set of risks to other types of businesses which is why many insurance providers offer specific office insurance products. We have explored what is available on the market below.
The table below gives a quick comparison of the top UK providers for office insurance.
| Company | Minimum cover | Maximum cover |
|---|---|---|
| Aviva | Not stated | Not stated |
| RSA | Not stated | £10 million |
| AXA | Not stated | Not stated |
| Direct Line Group | Not stated | £10 million |
| Zurich | Not stated | Not stated |
| Allianz | Not stated | £10 million |
| Ageas | Not stated | Not stated |
| QBE | £1 million | £10 million |
| NFU Mutual | Not stated | £10 million |
| Lloyds Banking Group | Not stated | Not stated |
| Covéa | £2 million | £10 million |
| Hiscox | Not stated | Not stated |
| Berkshire Hathaway | Not stated | Not stated |
| Markel direct | Not stated | Not stated |
| Travelers | Not stated | £10 million |
| NIG | £2 million | £10 million |
| ARO Insurance | Not stated | £10 million |
| Glemham Insurance | Not stated | £10 million |
| Versatile Insurance | Not stated | £10 million |
| Touchstone Underwriting Limited | Not stated | £5 million |
* The facts and figures included here come from each company’s website and were accurate at the time of writing (February 2020) but may have since changed. Also, please keep in mind these may not be apples to apples comparisons as each provider offers different solutions. This guide should be used as a starting off point for more research on your part.
Below we profile each of the companies’ services and features in a bit more detail.
Note companies are ranked in no particular order and this no way indicates one solution is better than another.
Topics
1. Aviva
Some of the features and benefits of Aviva’s office insurance.
- Buildings and contents insurance
- Suitable for offices
- Choice of cover and level of cover
- Includes furnishings, fixtures and fittings
- Covers trade stock and promotional merchandise
- Includes glass cover
- Provides cover whilst assets are at home
- Personal belongings are covered
- Includes any window contents
- Can add electronic equipment cover
Aviva offers a wide variety of business insurance products which includes buildings and contents insurance which is designed for a variety of businesses including office-based businesses. This can be purchased as buildings or contents only, combined together and even with other cover.
Aviva’s buildings cover includes building protection for damage from fire, flood, burst pipes, subsidence or storms. Their contents cover includes furnishings, fixtures, fittings, trade stock, promotional merchandise, window contents and glass. It covers work assets that are at home and personal belongings for staff and visitors. You can add electronic equipment cover for portable equipment and computer records.
2. RSA
Some of the features and benefits of RSA’s office insurance.
- Dedicated Office Insurance
- Can include home workers
- Contents insurance
- Accidental damage cover
- Unspecified all risks to £2,500
- Public and products liability
- Employer’s liability up to £10 million
- Money cover
- Goods in transit
- Offers a range of optional extras
RSA offers a variety of tailored business insurance products which includes those designed for specific trades, professions or business types. Their product range includes Office Insurance which can be tailored to meet your needs including working from home.
RSA’s Office Insurance provides contents cover including accidental damage, unspecified all risks up to £2,500, public and products liability of £2 million with the option to increase, employer’s liability up to £10 million, money cover from £1,000 with the option to increase and goods in transit from £2,500 with the option to increase. Additional cover includes computer equipment, business interruption, stock and trade samples, legal expenses and buildings cover.
3. AXA
Some of the features and benefits of AXA’s office insurance.
- Commercial Property Insurance
- Suitable for offices and other commercial properties
- Designed for small to medium-sized businesses
- Flexible policy
- Covers buildings and contents
- Fixtures and fittings
- Stock and cash on your premises
- Includes cover for home workers
- Business interruption
- Legal expenses
AXA is an insurance provider that offers a variety of business insurance products which includes their Commercial Property Insurance. This policy is designed to cover shops, offices, surgeries and hotels, and they also cover people who work from home.
AXA’s Commercial Property Insurance is a flexible policy which enables you to select the level of cover you require and the cover you need including building and contents alongside other cover that can be combined with it. It covers fixtures, fittings, stock, cash on-premises, home workers, business interruption and legal expenses which includes access to a 24-hour legal helpline.
4. Direct Line for Business
Some of the features and benefits of Direct Line for Business’ office insurance.
- Personalised Office Insurance
- Professional indemnity
- Public and employer’s liability
- Building cover
- Contents and stock cover
- Business interruption
- Theft of takings
- Legal expense
- No admin fees for changes and 0% APR on monthly direct debits
- Claims to beat other quotes
Direct Line for Business offers a variety of business insurance products that are tailored to the needs of specific trades or professions. Their product range includes Office Insurance which is designed to be a personalised policy that allows you to select the cover and the amounts you want to insure for.
Direct Line for Businesses’ Office Insurance offers the choice of professional indemnity protection, public liability from £1 million to £10 million, employer’s liability, buildings cover for owners and renters, contents and stock, business interruption which can include a key employee being unable to work, theft of takings on your premises or in transit, cyber cover and legal expenses.
Direct Line for Business website
5. Zurich
Some of the features and benefits of Zurich’s office insurance.
- Commercial Combined insurance
- Tailored insurance
- Suitable for a wide number of businesses including offices and business administration
- Designed for larger businesses
- Property cover
- Business interruption
- Goods in transit
- Specified all risks
- Public, product and employer’s liability
- Money cover
Zurich offers a variety of business insurance products such as Commercial Combined package which is designed for larger businesses with turnover above £5 million, 10 or more UK locations. It caters for a wide range of business types including offices and business administration.
Zurich’s Commercial Combined insurance package can include employer’s liability, public and product liability with extended cover for product recall, Data Protection Act, acquisition and public relations expenses. Material damage all risks for buildings, contents and stock, business interruption, money cover including assault, deterioration of stock, engineering breakdown, computer breakdown, terrorism, goods in transit, specific items all risks, employee dishonesty, cyber cover and personal accident.
6. Allianz
Some of the features and benefits of Allianz’s office insurance.
- Complete Office
- Covers a variety of office-based businesses
- Contents
- Property away from the premises
- Employer’s liability
- Public liability
- Loss of money
- Loss of income
- Buildings cover
- Additional computer cover
Allianz offers a wide range of business insurance products which includes their Complete Office package which is designed for a variety of office-based businesses including vets and doctor’s surgeries. Only available from a broker.
Allianz’s Complete Office offers standard cover which includes contents up to £2.5 million per premise, property away from premises at exhibitions and in transit, loss of money, employer’s liability up to £10 million and public liability of up to £2 million which can be extended to £5 million. They offer optional extras such as loss of income up to £5 million, buildings cover up to £2.5 million per location and additional computer cover.
7. Ageas
Some of the features and benefits of Ageas’ office insurance.
- Office and Surgery Insurance
- Flexible policy
- Property cover
- Business interruption
- Employer’s liability
- Public and product liability
- Personal accident
- Fidelity guarantee
- Legal expenses
- Available only through a broker
Ageas is an insurance provider that offers a variety of business insurance products which includes Office and Surgery Insurance that covers people and pet-based businesses from accountants to doctors or vet surgeries. This product is designed as a flexible policy where you can select the cover you want and extend your cover as your business grows. Ageas only sell their insurance policies through brokers who can tailor the product to your business needs.
Ageas’ Office and Surgery Insurance can provide cover that can include property insurance, business interruption, employer’s liability, public and product liability, personal accident, fidelity guarantee and legal expenses.
8. QBE
Some of the features and benefits of QBE’s office insurance.
- SME Office Insurance
- Cover a wide variety of office types
- Contents cover
- Business interruption
- Employer’s liability
- Public liability
- Legal expenses
- Optional extras
- Personal accident
- Computer breakdown
QBE is an international insurance provider that offers a variety of business insurance products tailored to specific industries and SMEs. Their SME product range includes Office Insurance which has been designed as a flexible product.
QBE’s Office Insurance covers a variety of things as standard including contents, samples, computers, goods in transit, money, third party storage locations, business interruption, choice of public and products liability from £1 million to £10 million but £2 million as standard, employer’s liability of £10 million and legal expenses. Optional cover includes specified business equipment all risks, buildings, computer breakdown, terrorism and personal accident.
9. NFU Mutual
Some of the features and benefits of NFU Mutual’s office insurance.
- Specialist Office Insurance
- Flexible policy
- Optional buildings cover
- Contents cover
- Computer equipment
- Money cover
- Public liability cover of £2.5 million
- Employer’s liability of £10 million
- Increased liability cover available
- Suitable for a wide variety of businesses
NFU Mutual is an insurance provider that is run for the benefit of its members. They provide a wide variety of business insurance products which includes a range of tailored insurance products designed for specific trades or professions which includes Office Insurance. This cover is designed to cover a wide variety of business types.
NFU Mutual’s Office Insurance offers a flexible policy which you can tailor to your needs. Their cover can include buildings, contents, computer equipment up to £25,000, money on-premises up to £5,000, public liability cover up to £2.5 million as standard, employer’s liability up to £10 million as standard and extended liability cover.
10. Lloyds Bank
Some of the features and benefits of Lloyds Bank’s office insurance.
- Specialist Office Insurance
- Tailored cover
- Buildings cover
- Contents insurance
- Public liability
- Employer’s liability
- Business interruption
- Optional money cover
- Offers cover to small to large businesses
- Provided in partnership with Arthur J. Gallagher
Lloyds Bank is a financial provider that also offers a wide variety of business insurance products in partnership with Arthur J. Gallagher. Their product range provides tailored products that are designed to meet the needs of specific trades and professions such as Office Insurance.
Lloyds Bank’s Office Insurance can offer buildings insurance, contents cover for equipment such as furniture and computers, public liability to cover third party injury or damage, employer’s liability from £5 million and business interruption. They can tailor the insurance to meet your needs with the cover type and level you require.
11. Covea
Some of the features and benefits of Covea’s office insurance.
- Offices and Surgeries Insurance
- Standard cover that is tailorable
- Contents insurance
- Fixed glass cover
- Money
- Personal accident assault
- Business interruption
- Employer’s, public and products liability
- Buildings cover
- Computer breakdown
Covea is an insurance provider that offers a variety of tailored business insurance products that have been created to meet the requirements of specific trades and professions. Their product range includes Offices and Surgeries Insurance which covers businesses in professional services and surgeries.
Covea’s Offices and Surgeries Insurance provides standard cover which includes contents insurance, fixed glass, personal accident assault, business interruption and liability cover. Their liability cover includes employer’s liability up to £10 million and a choice of public and product liability cover amount of up to £2 million or £5 million. They also offer optional cover of buildings insurance and computer breakdown.
12. Hiscox
Some of the features and benefits of Hiscox’s office insurance.
- Offers a range of office insurance products
- Flexible and tailorable cover
- Can combine coverage
- All risks cover
- Buildings and/or contents insurance
- Portable equipment cover
- Business interruption
- Equipment breakdown
- Artwork cover
- Personal effects
Hiscox is an insurance provider that offers a range of business insurance products that can be purchased as standalone cover or can be combined to provide comprehensive cover. They package these products as building blocks which includes a range of office insurance products.
Hiscox’s office insurance products include buildings, contents, portable equipment, business interruption and equipment breakdown cover. They allow you to tailor the policy to your needs and provide all risks cover. Their cover also includes non-standard items like artwork and visitors’ personal effects. You can choose to add public liability, professional indemnity, personal accident, cyber and data risks cover.
13. Berkshire Hathaway
Some of the features and benefits of Berkshire Hathaway’s office insurance.
- Property insurance
- Offers a range of speciality insurance products
- Packaged products suitable for offices
- They offer a global corporate offering
- Mid-market level cover
- Can provide excess layers cover
- All risks cover
- They cater for a wide range of trades and industries
- Offer specialist products for some industries
- International provider
Berkshire Hathaway is an insurance provider that offers a variety of business insurance products in the international market. They provide a range of speciality insurance products which cater to the needs of specific industries and niches. Their product range includes property insurance.
Berkshire Hathaway’s property insurance can incorporate a variety of products which includes all risks, global corporate, mid-market, excess layers, PFI, packages and construction. They are flexible with their insurance products and will tailor the policy to your needs. They provide specialist products for businesses including finance businesses, healthcare, manufacturing, industrial risks, leisure, retailers and technology businesses.
14. Markel direct
Some of the features and benefits of Markel direct’s office insurance.
- Dedicated Office Insurance
- Covers buildings and contents
- Accidental damage or loss
- Theft
- Disasters including fire, flood, explosion or storms
- Includes business equipment
- Covers equipment at employees’ homes and whilst travelling
- Business interruption
- Quick and simple online quotes
- No hidden fees or cancellation charges
Markel direct is an insurance provider that offers a range of specialist insurance products for smaller businesses that are in a variety of trades and professions. They offer a range of tailored insurance packages designed to meet the needs of specific businesses which includes Office Insurance.
Markel direct’s Office Insurance can be purchased on its own or combined with other cover. Their cover includes accidental damage, loss, theft, fire, flood, explosion and storms. It covers contents that are portable or held at an employee’s home. Cover includes business equipment and business interruption. They claim to be transparent with interest-free direct debit and no hidden fees or cancellation charges.
15. Travelers
Some of the features and benefits of Travelers’ office insurance.
- Offers a range of Office Insurance products
- Standalone or combined cover
- Public and products liability
- Employer’s liability
- Buildings insurance
- Contents cover
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Property and business interruption
- Terrorism
- Legal expenses
Travellers is an insurance provider that offers a variety of business insurance products that are designed for the needs of specific businesses and are offered as standalone products that can be packaged together to offer comprehensive cover at discounted rates. Their products include a range of Office Insurance products.
Travellers’ Office Insurance range offers a variety of protection products which allow you to select what cover you need. These products include public and products liability with the option of £5 million or £10 million cover, employer’s liability, buildings insurance, contents cover, professional indemnity insurance, property and business interruption, terrorism and legal expenses.
16. NIG
Some of the features and benefits of NIG’s office insurance.
- Office and Surgery Insurance
- Suitable for businesses with up to 10 premises
- Contents cover
- Public and products liability
- Employer’s liability
- Business interruption
- Glass cover
- Goods in transit
- Money
- Offers a range of optional extras
NIG offers a wide range of business insurance products designed to meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses. They offer a range of combined package insurance designed to meet specific business needs which includes Office and Surgery Insurance that can cover up to 10 premises.
NIG’s Office and Surgery Insurance offers contents up to £5 million, public and product liability of £2 million which can be extended to £10 million, employer’s liability up to £10 million, business interruption, glass cover, goods in transit, fixed signs, money and personal accident assault. They also offer optional cover including equipment breakdown, buildings, specified all risks, personal accident, legal expenses and terrorism.
17. ARO Insurance
Some of the features and benefits of ARO Insurance’s office insurance.
- Office Package
- Suitable for smaller businesses
- Contents, fixtures and fittings
- Electronic business machines
- Business interruption
- Glass breakage
- Money
- Employer’s, public and product liability
- Offers a range of optional cover
- Available only through a broker
ARO Insurance offers a small range of business insurance products that cater for a wide range of businesses which include offices, retail and property. Their Office Insurance is designed for businesses with a turnover below £5 million, with no more than 10 employees or 5 locations.
ARO Insurance’s Office Insurance provides the following cover as standard – material damage to contents, fixtures, fittings and electronic business machines, business interruption, glass breakage, money, employer’s liability of up to £10 million, public and product liability of £2 million with the option to increase to £5 million. They can also offer optional extra cover if required.
18. Glemham Insurance
Some of the features and benefits of Glemham Insurance’s office insurance.
- Office Package
- Offers a range of cover
- Contents cover
- Property insurance
- Business interruption
- Employer’s liability
- Public liability
- Computer cover
- Theft by employees
- Legal expenses
Glemham Insurance is an insurance underwriter that offers a range of business insurance products which are packaged to meet the needs of specific businesses. This range includes Office Package which offers a range of cover with tailorable options and add-ons.
Glemham Insurance’s Office Package offers cover for your property and contents which includes those temporarily away from the office, glass breakage, money and assault as well as business interruption, employer’s liability up to £10 million, public and products liability cover. They also offer a range of optional extras which include computer cover, theft by employees cover and legal expenses.
19. Versatile Insurance
Some of the features and benefits of Versatile Insurance’s office insurance.
- Dedicated Office Insurance
- Buildings cover
- Contents insurance
- Money and personal accident assault
- Glass breakage
- Office contents in transit
- Business liability
- Business interruption
- All risks on specified equipment
- Equipment breakdown
Versatile Insurance is an insurance provider that offers a variety of specialist insurance products that are designed to cater for specific needs or trades and professions. Their insurance product collection includes Office Insurance which provides a broad range of cover.
Versatile Insurance’s Office Insurance offers buildings and contents insurance, money cover, personal accident assault, glass breakage, office contents in transit, business interruption, accounts receivable cover, optional all risks on specified equipment, equipment breakdown, commercial legal protection, terrorism and sabotage. It also includes £10 million employer’s liability and a choice of cover level for public and product liability.
20.Touchstone Underwriting Limited
Some of the features and benefits of Touchstone Underwriting Limited’s office insurance.
- Office and Surgery Insurance
- Contents cover
- Money and personal assault
- Business interruption
- Liability cover
- Buildings insurance
- Deterioration of stock
- Personal accident
- Additional computer cover
- Commercial legal expenses
Touchstone Underwriting Limited is an insurance provider that offers a range of business insurance products which include specialist products for hospitality and leisure, construction, property and commercial, travel and tour sectors. Their insurance range includes Office and Surgery Insurance policies which can be tailored to create comprehensive cover. They offer their products through a network of brokers.
Touchstone Underwriting Limited’s Office Insurance cover can offer cover that includes contents, glass, premises, money and personal assault, buildings insurance, business interruption, employer’s liability, public liability up to £5 million, commercial legal expenses, additional computer cover, deterioration of stock, terrorism, personal accident and theft by employee.