Your home may also be your workplace, but it still needs protection as a home. Home insurance with business use takes account of the activities carried out at the property when arranging cover for your buildings, household contents, or both.
As a specialist home insurance broker, we work with a panel of insurers who can consider different types of home business. The available cover depends on the work you do, how the property is used and the items you need to insure.
Computer work, administration and telephone calls can have different insurance requirements from activities involving customers or production.
Whether you work remotely for an employer or run your own business, check that your policy allows the way you use your home and covers the equipment you need.
If clients visit, you make goods or you store stock at home, the insurer will need more information.
The nature of the work, visitor frequency and any employees working at the property can affect whether cover is available and the terms offered.
We can consider home insurance for a range of businesses, including:
These are examples of property uses that may be considered, rather than a guarantee of acceptance or cover for every aspect of the business. The insurer will assess your individual circumstances.
If your business is not listed, speak to our team about how you use your home.
Cover may be available for certain business equipment, such as computers, printers and office furniture, subject to the policy’s definition and limits. Stock, tools and specialist machinery need particular attention: acceptance of your business use does not automatically mean all business items are insured.
Check which items are included, the total business-item limit and any single-item limits. Your policy schedule and wording will explain the cover agreed.
Home insurance that allows business use does not replace a policy covering your commercial activities. Depending on your work, you may also need separate public liability, professional indemnity, employers’ liability or business interruption insurance.
If customers visit or employees work at your home, check your business insurance arrangements alongside your home cover.
For more detail, read our guide to the insurance you may need when running a business from home.
Choose buildings insurance, contents insurance or both, according to your needs.
The following benefits are subject to the cover selected, policy limits, exclusions and conditions.
Increase the legal expenses limit to £50,000 and extend the range of specified personal disputes covered, subject to the policy terms.
Upgrade your home emergency protection, with cover up to £1,000 per call-out for specified emergencies, subject to the annual limit and policy terms.
Add cover for specified accidental damage to your buildings, contents or both. Check the policy wording for exclusions affecting business items.
Accurate information helps the insurer assess your business use and offer appropriate terms. Our team can help if your circumstances need further explanation.
Alongside the usual details about your property and insurance history, have the following information ready:
Start an online quote for home insurance that takes your business use into account.
Use our live chat to speak to a member of the team about your property and business use.
Contact your insurer before starting business activities at home so they can confirm whether your policy is suitable or needs changing.
If you are already insured through us, get in touch before changing how you use the property.
It can, but an increase is not automatic. The price depends on your property, the nature of your business, visitors, equipment and the cover required.
A quote will show the premium and terms available for your circumstances.
Check with your employer first, as they may insure equipment they provide. Cover under your home policy depends on its wording, ownership requirements and whether you are legally responsible for the item.
Do not assume an employer’s laptop is included in your household contents cover.
It may be possible, depending on the building, its use and the insurer’s terms. Include details of the garden office and anything stored there when requesting a quote.
Business use and contents in outbuildings may have different limits or conditions from cover inside your home.
Contact our team with a description of your work and how you use the property. We can check whether an insurer on our panel can consider your circumstances.
Some activities may need further assessment, and we cannot offer cover for every business use.
Explore the differences between home cover and business insurance, and the information your home insurer may need.
Explore the distinction between home cover and insurance for your childminding activities.
Understand where home insurance fits and which business risks may need separate cover.
Find out why visitors, stock and equipment matter when insuring your home.
“…I needed home insurance that allowed me to run a business from home and found just what I needed. The website was clear and helpful and the people very friendly to talk to. Very happy…..”
If you’re currently insured with us, you’ll find the documents for your policy in MyAccount.
Making a claim has never been easier – just follow these three simple steps.
Find your insurer’s claims contact details in your policy document or Schedule. Always have your policy number to hand, as it helps your insurer’s claims team quickly identify you and assist you without delay.
Call your insurer’s claims team as soon as the incident occurs. Provide a brief description of what happened and, if applicable, notify the Police within seven days for incidents like theft or malicious damage.
If required, complete and return the claim form along with supporting documents (receipts, photos, etc.) within 30 days. This ensures a smooth, timely processing of your claim.
*We may not be able to quote in all circumstances. Cover limits/restrictions and/or conditions may apply to the policy. These are clearly detailed prior to purchase, and in the policy documentation for you to determine if the cover is suitable for your needs.
