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Jun 17th 2026
Article by PolicyBee
Let’s be honest: when someone mentions “risk assessment”, your eyes probably glaze over and your mind wanders to think about more interesting things.
But that might be because of how it’s been explained to you. Risk assessment isn’t only a vital part of running a small business, it saves you a lot of money if things go wrong.
And it helps you sleep easy at night, knowing you’re prepared for all the unlikely but disastrous things that could happen.
In this article, we’re going to introduce you to risk assessment. What it is, how to do it, and why it’s important. We’ll also go over ISO 31000, an easy-to-use and effective way of identifying your risks and actually doing something about them.
So, let’s start simple…
Risk assessment is all about spotting risks and figuring out what to do about them.
When you think about it, we all manage risk every day.
A risk might be pressing the snooze button one too many times and being late for work.
Putting your phone out of arm’s reach, so you’re forced to get up to turn it off? That’s how you mitigate that risk.
We’re all managing micro risks like this in our personal lives – either ploughing on with a carefree “it’ll never happen to me” attitude, or figuring out ways to lower the chances of something going wrong.
When you look at how to risk assess your business, it works in much the same way.
You look at what you’re doing, think about what could go wrong, and how that would affect your business. Then you decide what you can do to stop it from happening – or how you’d protect yourself if it did.
Businesses are complex, though, with lots of moving parts. That’s why it helps to take things step-by-step and use a simple framework that guides you through the process.
Using a recognised risk management framework makes the whole process easier and less time-consuming, while also giving you confidence that you’ve done it properly.
ISO 31000 is one of the most popular frameworks, used by businesses of all sizes and industries, all over the world.
It sets out principles, a complete framework, and processes for risk management in a clear and simple way.
Here’s a simple summary of how it guides you through identifying and managing your risks:
Once you’ve mapped out your risks, it’s important to mitigate them where possible.
Insurance is key here, as it helps you reduce the impact of risks you can’t fully mitigate through other means.
An example might be that you store sensitive client and employee data. A risk you’ve identified is that a data breach could lead to financial and reputational damage to your business.
You’ve sensibly put in place stronger cybersecurity processes and more training for your team to avoid social engineering attacks. You’ve even put in a disaster recovery plan for your IT systems.
But you can’t fully remove the risk of a cyber-attack happening, leading to a data breach.
Insurance acts as a backstop for risks you’ve already tried to reduce but can’t eliminate entirely. If the worst happens you’d be protected, whether financially, reputationally, or operationally. In this case, cyber insurance would act as this backstop.
Completing a thorough risk assessment of your business will also make you your broker’s favourite client. It shows you’re a responsible business owner and makes it easier to recommend the right insurance and level of cover for your risks.
Hopefully this basic rundown of risk assessment gives you a solid starting point for how to risk assess your business.
We’ve talked about ISO 31000 in this article, but other risk assessment frameworks and providers are available. Some work for specific types of risk, like the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)’s cybersecurity framework, and others work for specific industries, like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s framework.
If you store sensitive data, you should also consider looking at ISO 27001. It’s a cybersecurity and information security risk management framework that, alongside Cyber Essentials, is perfect for protecting your business against online risks.
It’s worth doing some research on others, to make sure you have the right one for your business.
Jun 4th 2026
When you’re starting a business, insurance is usually one of those things that gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. But getting the right cover in place early can save a lot of stress, money, and disruption if something unexpected happens.
The type of insurance you need will depend on the kind of business you run, the services you offer, and how you operate day to day. To make things simpler, here’s a straightforward checklist of the main types of business insurance worth thinking about as a start-up.
Public liability insurance is one of the most common types of cover for new businesses. It protects your business if someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your work or business activities.
This could include things like:
While it’s not legally required for every business, many clients will expect you to have it before they agree to work with you. For that reason alone, it’s often seen as a basic essential.
If your business offers advice, consultancy, design work, or any kind of professional service, professional indemnity insurance is definitely worth considering.
It covers your business if a client claims your work or advice caused them financial loss. Even small mistakes, missed deadlines, or misunderstandings can sometimes turn into disputes, especially when clients are relying on your expertise.
Having this cover in place can help protect your business financially and give clients extra confidence in working with you.
Cyber attacks and data breaches are becoming more common for businesses of all sizes, especially those that store customer information or operate online.
Cyber insurance can help with costs linked to:
A lot of small businesses assume they won’t be targeted, but businesses with limited or outdated security can actually be more vulnerable.
If you employ staff, employers liability insurance is usually a legal requirement.
This can apply to:
This insurance helps cover compensation claims if an employee becomes ill or injured because of their work.
Not having the right cover in place when it’s required can lead to significant fines, so it’s something you should sort before hiring staff.
Most startups rely heavily on equipment, whether that’s laptops, phones, tools, or specialist machinery. Replacing those items unexpectedly can be expensive, especially in the early stages of a business.
Contents and equipment insurance can help cover the cost if business equipment is stolen, damaged, or destroyed.
This can be particularly useful for businesses working from offices, shops, co-working spaces, or even home offices.
If your business suddenly can’t operate because of an unexpected event, business interruption insurance can help cover lost income and ongoing expenses while you recover.
This could include situations such as:
For businesses that rely on physical premises, stock, or specialist equipment, this type of cover can make a big difference during difficult periods.
If your business makes, sells, or supplies physical products, product liability insurance is another important one to think about.
It helps protect your business if a product causes injury, illness, or property damage.
Even if you only re-sell products rather than manufacture them yourself, you could still face claims if something goes wrong. That’s why many retailers and e-commerce businesses choose to have this protection in place.
Insurance probably isn’t the most exciting part of launching a business, but it’s one of those things that can make a massive difference when problems arise.
Every business comes with different risks, so it’s worth taking the time to work out what cover you genuinely need. Getting organised early not only helps protect your business financially, but can also make you look more professional, meet client requirements, and give you more confidence as your business grows.
May 18th 2026
Article by PolicyBee
When it comes to buying professional insurance, we get the feeling most people think the man in the middle is a hindrance, not a help. So why use an insurance broker?
The problem is, buyers tend to think that any additional link in the chain means more cost and hassle to them. And insurers encouraging people to ‘go direct’ only serves to rubber-stamp this feeling.
But don’t pick up the phone to that one-stop, do-it-all, household name insurer just yet. Not surprisingly, we reckon there are compelling reasons to use a specialist insurance broker instead.
Brokers aren’t tied to any one insurer. A quick chat with you is usually all they need to find a suitable policy from the insurers they work with. That means you get the right cover at the right cost.
We’re guessing you’ve probably not studied the technical ins and outs of, say professional indemnity insurance. A lot of brokers have, however, and that makes them an expert. You’ll get the benefit of that expertise when they talk to you about the cover you need.
That same expertise applies to mid-term changes and queries too, with the added bonus that most brokers prefer to deal personally with the same customer whenever possible. That’s not always the case with large, direct operations using call centres.
Direct insurers can only offer you one policy: theirs. It’s often written for a mass market and it’s difficult, if not impossible, to tailor to your specific needs.
Unusual or multiple business activities, high-value property, exceptional contract requirements or just a box you can’t tick could all mean you need something different.
A broker recognises extraordinary requirements, identifies the cover you need, arranges it with an appropriate insurer and makes sure your documents are present and correct too.
Business insurance is pretty complex. If you’re not sure where to start, asking an impartial expert to help makes sense. That way you get the insurance you need, without the extra stress.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that this is where the broker falls down. You must be paying for that extra link in the chain, right?
Well, contrary to popular belief, brokers can offer cheaper policies than direct insurers.
How? It’s simple: insurers can give different (lower) rates to brokers than to their direct customers. That might seem odd but it’s for a good reason.
It’s because business through brokers is a lower risk for insurers. Brokers are professionals and their job is to properly assess their customers’ risks and find suitable cover. The theory is that insurers use brokers to choose the right policy with the right cover at the right price for any given customer – avoiding claims and maintaining the insurer’s income. And it works, too.
This is probably the best reason to use a broker. Frankly, when the worst happens, you need all the help you can get.
A broker represents you, not the insurer, and it’s their job to make sure your interests are covered. Business insurance claims can be complicated and time-consuming. The benefit of having an insurance professional there to guide you, monitor the claim’s progress, and make sure everything happens when it should, can’t be underestimated.
Brokers understand the technicalities of your policy and, in the event of a disputed claim, can argue the case on your behalf with the insurer. A good, respected broker really can be the difference between an insurer paying a claim and not.
The insurance industry is highly regulated. Especially for brokers. This regulation is great for you as a customer, though. It protects your rights as a consumer, and makes sure you’re getting the advice and service you deserve.
Before you choose a broker, make sure they’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA ensure that brokers follow a set of guidelines designed to protect customers.
You should also check whether they’re authorised by the FCA to offer ‘advised sales’. This means they can use their expertise to provide you real advice on what kind of insurance you need. To do this, a broker has to complete a strict vetting and assessment process. So you know they’re the real deal.
Keep an eye out for brokers that belong to trade bodies too. Like the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA). BIBA, and other trade bodies, have standards and practices their members have to meet.
All in all, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t use an insurance broker rather than going to an insurer direct. In fact, find a good one and we reckon you’ll never go back. It can save you time, money, and leave you with a better level of cover. You’ll probably have an easier time if you need to make a claim too.
Ready to get your business insurance through a trusted broker? Give us a call on 0345 222 5391.
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