[Chell]

I am trying to sort out quotes for home contents, buildings and business insurance but am not sure where to start.

Up until now I've had a policy that covers me for working form home and my stock but I don't have public liability etc. I contacted Manor and they want £550 for the lot or £334 just for the contents/business, no buildings insurance.

What exactly do I need insurance wise and where is the best place to look for quotes? I'm used to just doing home insurance and have confused.com or a similar site do all the work.

Thanks, Michelle

[Sue]

Hi ... I run my business from home and use AXA.

I didn't have a clue what I needed when I started out but I found them really helpful and they didn't try to over sell bits and pieces that I don't need.

After the first year my DD payments reduced by three pounds a month which was a bonus.

I've dug out the customer care telephone number for you which is 0845 758 1076

To be fair I've never claimed on the policy so I can't testify to their ability to deal with claims but other than that they've been spot on.

Good luck

[Chell]

Thanks, just tried them and they want £650 for their work from home policy.

[Sue]

Blimey ... Mine is only £18.76 per month.

I run an online business selling baby products and the policy includes the various liability insurances that I needed.

£650 is an awful lot

[Jeewhizz]

Have you tried Hiscox?

[Chell]

Originally Posted by Sue

Blimey ... Mine is only £18.76 per month.

I run an online business selling baby products and the policy includes the various liability insurances that I needed.

£650 is an awful lot

I just did the online application for working from home. Are you sure your policy includes public liability? I believe you need that even if you sell products made by someone else. My old policy was about the price of yours, it covered the fact that I worked from home and stock up to £2000 but nothing else.

[Chell]

Originally Posted by Jeewhizz

Have you tried Hiscox?

Never heard of them. I will look into that one later.

[YetiAndy]

Hi Chell, we were in the same boat a few years ago and after much ringing around we found that MoreThan were the best. Since being in the office we use NU, who again, are very competitive and offer good service.

They have a "free" home-business cover up to a certain amount as part of their home building and contents insurance and it came in very handy when we got burgled!

AXA is typically one of the most expensive in the market (having worked for them), but the service is brilliant and the products very good.

Hope this helps.

Andy

[Jeewhizz]

hiscox are v good - I use them for home, and they cover home businesses too, up to a certain value. Their business arm also do the public liablity side of things too etc Worth giving them a call

[Tigglet]

Are you sure your policy includes public liability? I believe you need that even if you sell products made by someone else. My old policy was about the price of yours, it covered the fact that I worked from home and stock up to £2000 but nothing else.

You would only need public liability insurance if you were intending on allowing members of the public, customers or suppliers to visit your home/place of work. Business Link has further information on public liability insurance. This protects you against claims for injury or damage caused as a result of your business - e.g. if a customer slips on your shop’s wet floor.

Product Liability information can be found here

Product liability insurance - this protects you against claims for injury or damage caused by the products you make.

Products must be "fit for purpose". Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, you're legally responsible for any damage or injury that a product you supply may cause.

Your responsibilities
If you supply a faulty product, claimants may try to claim from you first, even if you did not manufacture it. You'll be liable for compensation claims if:

your business' name is on the product - ie the manufacturer made it for your brand
your business repairs, refurbishes or changes it
you imported it from outside the European Union
you cannot clearly identify the manufacturer
the manufacturer has gone out of business
Otherwise, the manufacturer is liable - or the processor, where the product involves parts from multiple manufacturers.

However, you must also:

show that the products were faulty when supplied to you
show that you gave consumers adequate safety instructions and warnings about misuse
show that you included terms for return of faulty goods to the manufacturer or processor in any sales contract you issued to the consumer
make sure that your supply contract with the manufacturer or processor covers product safety, quality control and product returns
have good quality control and record-keeping systems