Simply Business Insurance Review 2026: Costs, Cover & Alternatives Quick Answer
Simply Business is one of the strongest options to compare if you’re a UK small business, sole trader or freelancer looking for straightforward business insurance online.
The key thing to understand is that Simply Business is a broker rather than the insurer underwriting every policy.
You enter your business details once and can compare eligible policies from a panel of insurers, rather than requesting separate quotes from individual providers.
Cover can include:
Public Liability Insurance
Employers’ Liability Insurance
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Product Liability Insurance
Business Equipment Insurance
Tools Insurance
Stock Insurance
Commercial Buildings Insurance
Cyber Insurance
Legal Expenses
Simply Business says it can cover more than 1,500 trades.
We think its biggest strength is convenience.
For a relatively straightforward small business, getting several eligible insurance options through one quote journey is considerably easier than researching insurers individually.
But that convenience shouldn’t replace checking the policy.
Simply Business isn’t necessarily your insurer, and the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best quote.
Always check the underlying insurer, limits, excesses and exclusions before buying.
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Key Takeaways
Simply Business is an insurance broker rather than the underlying insurer on every policy. It allows eligible businesses to compare insurance from multiple providers through one quote journey.
Simply Business says it covers more than 1,500 trades.
It is particularly focused on small businesses, sole traders, freelancers and tradespeople.
Public Liability, Employers’ Liability and Professional Indemnity are among its core insurance products.
Additional protection can include tools, stock, equipment, premises, cyber and legal cover depending on the business.
Simply Business currently displays major insurance brands including Allianz, AIG, AXA, Churchill, Covéa, Hiscox and Zurich.
Policies can be compared and bought online.
Eligible claims can be started online or through 24/7 telephone support.
Specialist claims partner Sedgwick handles eligible claims on behalf of insurers.
We think Simply Business is particularly compelling for straightforward SMEs that value speed and choice. More complex businesses should also consider specialist brokers or advice-led insurance options.
Compare Simply Business with other business insurers
How do we work?
Our comparisons are researched and reviewed by the Compare Your Business Costs editorial team using provider information, official UK guidance and business buying criteria. See how Compare Your Business Costs works .
Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist, 10+ Years’ Experience)
Last Updated: October 2026
Contents
How Does Simply Business Insurance Work? Simply Business isn’t a traditional direct insurer – it is an insurance broker.
You provide information about your business, activities and insurance requirements.
Simply Business can then return eligible quotes from insurers on its panel and so you can compare the options and buy a policy online.
The process is broadly:
Tell Simply Business what your business does.
Provide information about your activities and risks.
Select the insurance you need.
Receive eligible quotes.
Compare premiums and policies.
Choose your preferred option.
Buy the policy and receive your documents.
Our take
We think this model works particularly well for people who know they need business insurance but don’t necessarily know which insurer they want.
For example, a self-employed consultant may know they need Professional Indemnity and Public Liability.
They probably don’t want to spend an afternoon completing separate quote forms for multiple insurers.
Simply Business solves that problem.
The trade-off is that you need to pay attention to what you’re actually buying.
Two policies appearing through Simply Business could have different:
Insurers
Premiums
Excesses
Cover limits
Conditions
Exclusions
We wouldn’t choose purely by which quote appears first or costs the least.
What Insurance Does Simply Business Offer? Simply Business can provide access to a wide range of commercial insurance covers and so whats available depends on your business.
Public Liability Insurance
Protects against eligible claims where a member of the public suffers injury or property damage connected with your business activities.
Employers’ Liability Insurance
Protects against eligible claims involving employees who become ill or are injured because of their work.
For most UK employers, Employers’ Liability is legally required, subject to limited exemptions.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Designed for businesses providing professional services or advice.
It can cover eligible claims involving mistakes, negligence or other insured professional failures.
Product Liability Insurance
Relevant to businesses that sell, manufacture or supply products.
Tools Insurance
Can protect eligible tools relied upon by tradespeople and other businesses.
Business Equipment Insurance
Can cover eligible equipment used to operate your business.
Stock Insurance
Can protect stock against specified insured risks.
Commercial Buildings Insurance
Designed to protect eligible business premises.
Cyber Insurance
Can provide protection against specified cyber incidents and associated costs.
Legal Expenses
Can provide protection against specified commercial legal costs.
We like the modular approach because a freelance designer shouldn’t need the same insurance package as a plumber or shop owner.
The important thing is to build cover around your actual risks rather than adding insurance simply because it is available.
How Much Does Simply Business Insurance Cost? There is no single Simply Business business insurance price – your premium depends on your business and the protection selected.
Simply Business currently publishes entry-price examples for several major covers.
Public Liability Insurance
From the equivalent of £5.40 per month
This is based on 10% of customers paying £64.78 or less annually for up to £2 million Public Liability between 1 January and 30 June 2026.
Paying monthly costs extra.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
From the equivalent of £6.90 per month
This is based on 10% of customers paying £82.75 or less annually for up to £2 million Professional Indemnity during the same period.
Employers’ Liability Insurance
From the equivalent of £6.65 per month
This is based on 10% of customers paying £79.80 or less annually for £10 million Employers’ Liability and up to £2 million Public Liability during the stated period.
We think these figures are useful benchmarks, but they need to be treated carefully.
They aren’t average premiums.
They represent the lowest-priced 10% of qualifying customers buying specified cover.
Your quote can depend on:
Industry
Occupation
Turnover
Number of employees
Location
Claims history
Insurance selected
Cover limits
Value of equipment
Value of tools
Stock
Premises
Excess
A freelance consultant working from home should not expect the same premium as a building company employing several people.
Our advice is to use the advertised prices as a benchmark, not a budget.
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Simply Business Public Liability Insurance Public Liability is one of Simply Business’s core commercial insurance products and so it can cover eligible claims involving:
Injury to customers
Injury to members of the public
Damage to third-party property
Compensation
Associated legal costs
For example, if you accidentally damage a customer’s property while working at their premises, Public Liability could respond if the incident falls within the policy terms.
Simply Business currently advertises Public Liability quotes from up to 15 specialised business insurance providers.
Its published entry-price example provides up to £2 million of cover.
What we think
Public Liability is one area where we think comparing on price alone can be particularly misleading.
If one quote provides £1 million cover and another provides £5 million, they aren’t directly equivalent.
Some customers, contractors, landlords or venues may also insist that you have a specific level of Public Liability before you can work with them.
Check the cover requirement first, then compare prices.
Simply Business Professional Indemnity Insurance Professional Indemnity is particularly relevant if customers rely on your professional:
Advice
Designs
Recommendations
Services
Expertise
So this can be relevant for:
Consultants
Marketing professionals
Designers
IT consultants
Freelancers
Professional service businesses
Simply Business currently advertises PI from the equivalent of £6.90 per month for qualifying customers.
What we would check
With Professional Indemnity, we think policy detail matters considerably more than saving a few pounds on the premium.
Check:
Cover limit
Excess
Retroactive date
Territorial limits
Business activities covered
Contractual requirements
Exclusions
A cheap PI policy that doesn’t properly cover the work you perform is poor value regardless of its premium.
Simply Business Employers’ Liability Insurance Employers’ Liability can cover eligible claims if an employee suffers injury or illness because of their work.
Most UK employers are legally required to have at least £5 million of Employers’ Liability cover
from an authorised insurer, although exemptions apply in some circumstances.
Simply Business’s current advertised example includes £10 million Employers’ Liability alongside up to £2 million Public Liability.
What we think
This is one area where business owners shouldn’t simply assume they’re covered because they’ve purchased “business insurance”.
If you employ people – check that Employers’ Liability is explicitly shown on your policy schedule.
What Businesses Can Simply Business Insure? Simply Business says it covers more than 1,500 trades and so its proposition is particularly focused on SMEs and self-employed people.
Businesses can include:
Builders
Electricians
Plumbers
Cleaners
Consultants
Designers
Retailers
Shops
Restaurants
Pubs
Beauty businesses
Personal trainers
Freelancers
Home businesses
Startups
Limited companies
The relevant insurance changes considerably by occupation.
For a tradesperson
We would prioritise areas such as:
Public Liability
Tools
Equipment
Employers’ Liability where relevant
For a consultant
We would look particularly closely at:
Professional Indemnity
Public Liability
Cyber cover where relevant
For a shop or retailer
Relevant protection may include:
Public Liability
Employers’ Liability
Stock
Equipment
Buildings or premises cover
We think this occupation-led approach is more useful than trying to find one generic “best business insurance” package.
Is Simply Business Good for Sole Traders? We think sole traders are one of the strongest use cases for Simply Business.
A sole trader often needs relatively straightforward cover but may not have an existing insurance broker or detailed knowledge of the commercial insurance market.
Simply Business gives them a way to compare eligible insurers without contacting them individually.
A sole trader might consider:
Public Liability
Professional Indemnity
Tools
Equipment
Cyber Insurance
depending on what they do. Employers’ Liability becomes relevant if you employ people and aren’t exempt from the requirement.
Is Simply Business Good for Limited Companies? Yes, Simply Business can insure eligible limited companies.
But company structure isn’t the main factor determining what insurance you need.
What your company actually does matters much more.
For example:
A one-person marketing consultancy and a building contractor employing ten people may both be limited companies their insurance requirements will be completely different.
Simply Business can be useful for straightforward SMEs wanting to compare policies online.
We think larger businesses with complex property, liability, professional or multinational risks should also consider a specialist commercial broker.
Which Insurers Does Simply Business Use? Simply Business works with a panel of insurance providers and so their current business insurance proposition displays recognised insurance brands including:
Allianz
AIG
AXA
Churchill
Covéa
Hiscox
Zurich
Which insurers actually quote depends on your business and risk.
This is something we think customers should pay more attention to.
If two quotes differ by £20 a year, don’t simply pick the cheaper one.
Look at:
Who the insurer is
What is covered
Cover limits
Excesses
Exclusions
Claims arrangements
Then decide whether the saving is meaningful.
How Do Simply Business Insurance Claims Work? Simply Business customers can start eligible business insurance claims online or by phone 24/7.
Simply Business works with specialist claims partner Sedgwick.
For eligible claims, Sedgwick can manage the day-to-day claims process on behalf of the insurer.
The process can involve:
Report the incident.
Provide your policy information.
Explain what happened.
Submit supporting evidence.
A claims handler reviews the case.
Further evidence may be requested.
The claim is assessed against the policy.
If settlement is agreed, payment or other arrangements are made.
Simply Business says Sedgwick paid more than £57 million in claims during 2025.
It also says more than 95% of paid claims were paid within 24 hours after settlement had been agreed.
We think the wording here is important.
That does not mean 95% of claims are assessed, approved and paid within 24 hours which means payment follows quickly in most cases after a settlement has already been agreed .
Claims arrangements can also vary by product and insurer, so check your policy documents.
What We Like About Simply Business 1. It reduces the work involved in comparing insurers
This is the clearest benefit. One quote journey can be much easier than repeatedly entering the same business details into several insurer websites.
2. It is built around small businesses
Simply Business’s focus on sole traders, tradespeople and SMEs means the quote process is geared towards relatively common small-business risks.
3. The cover is modular
A consultant doesn’t necessarily need tools insurance.
A plumber doesn’t necessarily need the same Professional Indemnity policy as a management consultant.
We like being able to build cover around the business.
4. The online journey is convenient
For businesses wanting insurance quickly, the ability to compare, buy and access documents digitally is useful.
5. There is genuine insurer choice
Simply Business works with several established insurance providers rather than presenting one standard policy.
What We Think Could Be Better 1. Comparison can create a temptation to focus on price
Seeing several premiums next to each other naturally encourages customers to look for the lowest number and we think that can be risky with insurance.
A £20 saving is irrelevant if the cheaper policy has a substantially higher excess or doesn’t provide the protection your business needs.
2. The Simply Business name can obscure who actually insures you
Simply Business is the broker – the underlying insurer matters because it is their policy wording and underwriting that ultimately determine much of your cover.
3. Headline “from” prices are easy to misread
The advertised prices apply to a proportion of customers buying specified cover, so we would like to see customers focus more on their actual annual quote than on the headline monthly equivalent.
4. Complex businesses may need more advice
Online comparison is excellent for straightforward risks and it becomes less compelling where a business has unusual premises, complicated contracts, high-value assets, specialist liability exposures or international operations.
In those circumstances, we think an advice-led commercial broker can add value.
Simply Business Insurance Pros & Cons Advantages
Compare eligible policies from multiple insurers
Covers more than 1,500 trades
Strong focus on SMEs and sole traders
Public Liability available
Professional Indemnity available
Employers’ Liability available
Tools, stock and equipment options
Online quotation and purchase
Recognised insurers on the panel
24/7 claims access
Online policy management
Useful for businesses without an existing broker relationship
Potential Disadvantages
Simply Business isn’t necessarily your insurer
Cover varies between policies
Headline prices apply only to qualifying customers
Paying monthly costs extra
The cheapest quote may have weaker terms or higher excesses
Not every insurer will quote for every occupation
Complex businesses may need specialist advice
Claims can involve a separate claims partner
Simply Business Insurance Alternatives Hiscox Business Insurance
We think Hiscox is particularly worth comparing for professional and service-based businesses wanting to look directly at a specialist insurer.
Admiral Business Insurance
Worth comparing for tradespeople and small businesses that prefer a direct-insurer proposition.
NFU Mutual Business Insurance
We think NFU Mutual is particularly interesting if you prefer an advice-led relationship and local agency support.
Allianz Business Insurance
Worth considering for businesses wanting access to a major commercial insurer with options extending beyond very small businesses.
Markel Business Insurance
Worth comparing for freelancers, professionals, contractors and specialist small businesses.
Direct Line Business Insurance
Another direct-insurer alternative for eligible small businesses.
Simply Business vs Hiscox The biggest difference is the buying model.
Simply Business
Broker
Compares eligible policies from multiple insurers
Strong online comparison experience
Particularly suited to SMEs wanting choice
Hiscox
Insurance provider
Direct commercial insurance proposition
Strong professional and specialist SME focus
We think Simply Business has the advantage if your priority is comparing several options quickly.
Hiscox is particularly worth comparing if you want to assess a specialist insurer directly.
For a professional business, we would consider getting both quotes rather than treating this as an either/or decision.
Simply Business vs Admiral Business Insurance Admiral provides a direct-insurer alternative.
Simply Business offers wider insurer comparison.
We think this comparison is particularly relevant for tradespeople.
Admiral has business insurance options aimed specifically at trades, while Simply Business can potentially return policies from several providers.
Compare:
Public Liability limits
Employers’ Liability
Tools
Equipment
Contract Works where relevant
Excesses
Annual premium
Read our Admiral Business Insurance review .
Simply Business vs NFU Mutual These represent very different approaches to buying business insurance.
Simply Business is geared towards fast digital comparison.
NFU Mutual uses a local agency model.
We think Simply Business is likely to appeal more to businesses that want speed and self-service.
We think NFU Mutual is particularly worth comparing if you value a more personal, advice-led relationship.
Neither approach is automatically better.
The right model depends on how complicated your insurance requirements are and how much support you want.
What Should You Check Before Buying Simply Business Insurance? Before buying, check:
Who is actually underwriting the policy? Does the policy accurately describe all of your business activities?
Which covers are included?
What are the limits?
What excess applies?
Do customers or contracts require minimum liability limits?
Are all employees correctly declared?
Are tools, stock and equipment adequately insured?
Does your Professional Indemnity cover your actual professional services?
Are there territorial restrictions?
What exclusions apply?
Who handles claims?
What does monthly payment cost?
Does the policy renew automatically?
What is the total annual premium?
We think the first two questions are the most important.
A cheap policy is of little value if it doesn’t accurately cover what your business actually does.
Our View on Simply Business Insurance We think Simply Business is a very useful starting point for small businesses that want to compare insurance without becoming insurance experts themselves.
Its strongest feature is straightforward:
one quote journey can give you access to several insurers.
That is particularly attractive for:
Sole traders
Freelancers
Consultants
Tradespeople
Small retailers
Small hospitality businesses
Startups
Small limited companies
We also like that the proposition isn’t restricted to Public Liability.
Businesses can potentially combine several types of protection around what they actually do.
But there is a weakness inherent in comparison sites – price becomes very visible.
Cover quality is less immediately obvious.
Suppose you receive:
Policy A – £110 per year
and:
Policy B – £145 per year.
It is tempting to choose Policy A.
But Policy B could have:
A lower excess
A higher liability limit
More appropriate business activities
Better tools or equipment cover
Stronger Professional Indemnity terms
Equally, Policy A could turn out to provide everything you need.
That’s why we think Simply Business works best as a comparison tool rather than a shortcut to choosing the cheapest insurance.
Use it to identify competitive policies.
Then compare the strongest options properly.
For a straightforward SME, we think that combination of speed, insurer choice and online management makes Simply Business a strong provider to include in your search.
For a complicated business with unusual risks, we would also get a quote or assessment from a specialist commercial broker before making a decision.
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Simply Business Insurance FAQs Is Simply Business an insurance company?
Simply Business is an insurance broker rather than the insurer underwriting every policy. It allows eligible businesses to compare and arrange policies from insurers on its panel.
Is Simply Business good for small businesses?
We think it is particularly well suited to straightforward SMEs that want to compare multiple insurance options online. More complex businesses may also want advice from a specialist commercial broker.
Is Simply Business good for sole traders?
Yes. Sole traders are one of the key groups Simply Business serves. Depending on the occupation, relevant covers can include Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, tools and equipment.
What insurance does Simply Business offer?
Available options can include Public Liability, Employers’ Liability, Professional Indemnity, Product Liability, tools, equipment, stock, commercial buildings, cyber and Legal Expenses.
How much does Simply Business Insurance cost?
There is no single price. Simply Business currently advertises Public Liability from the equivalent of £5.40 per month, Professional Indemnity from £6.90 and Employers’ Liability from £6.65 for qualifying customers. These aren’t average premiums.
Why are Simply Business prices shown as “from” prices?
The advertised examples are based on the lowest-priced 10% of qualifying customers buying specified cover during a defined sales period. Your own premium depends on your business and insurance requirements.
Does it cost more to pay monthly?
Yes. Simply Business states that paying monthly costs extra, so compare the total annual cost rather than only the monthly figure.
Does Simply Business offer Public Liability Insurance?
Yes. Public Liability is one of its core products.
Does Simply Business offer Professional Indemnity?
Yes. Professional Indemnity is available for eligible professional and service-based businesses.
Does Simply Business offer Employers’ Liability?
Yes. Employers’ Liability can be included for eligible businesses employing staff.
How much Employers’ Liability do I legally need?
Most UK employers are required to have at least £5 million of Employers’ Liability insurance from an authorised insurer, although exemptions apply.
Which insurers does Simply Business use?
Simply Business works with a panel of insurers. Its current business-insurance proposition displays brands including Allianz, AIG, AXA, Churchill, Covéa, Hiscox and Zurich. Which providers quote depends on your business.
How many trades does Simply Business cover?
Simply Business says it can cover more than 1,500 trades.
Can limited companies use Simply Business?
Yes. Eligible limited companies can compare commercial insurance through Simply Business.
Can I make a claim through Simply Business?
Yes. Eligible business insurance claims can be started online or by phone. Simply Business works with specialist claims partner Sedgwick.
Does Simply Business offer 24/7 claims support?
Yes. Simply Business currently provides 24/7 telephone claims support alongside online claim submission.
Who is Sedgwick?
Sedgwick is a specialist claims partner used by Simply Business. It handles eligible claims on behalf of insurers.
Can I manage my policy online?
Yes. Simply Business provides online access to policy documents and policy management features.
Is Simply Business always cheaper than buying direct?
No. Broker comparison doesn’t guarantee the lowest price. Direct insurers can sometimes be cheaper, while Simply Business may return a more competitive quote in other circumstances.
Is the cheapest Simply Business quote the best?
Not necessarily. We think businesses should compare the insurer, cover limits, excesses and exclusions alongside price.
Is Simply Business suitable for complex businesses?
It can cover many business types, but we think businesses with unusual or complex risks should also compare an advice-led commercial broker.
Is Simply Business worth comparing?
We think so for most small businesses. Its combination of insurer choice and a relatively simple online quote journey makes it a useful place to compare the market. The important step is checking the underlying policy rather than automatically selecting the cheapest result.
Compare Business Insurance Quotes Simply Business is one route to business insurance, but it shouldn’t necessarily be your only comparison.
Look at:
Insurer
Public Liability
Employers’ Liability
Professional Indemnity
Product Liability
Tools and equipment
Stock
Premises
Cyber protection
Limits
Excesses
Exclusions
Total annual premium
Compare Business Insurance Quotes
Free quotes • No obligation • Compare UK business insurance providers
Related Business Insurance Guides Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.