Without some form of insurance package, your investment in the business and the prospects of it continuing to thrive are exposed to all sorts of risks and perils.

• Office equipment – probably one of the first areas of priority considered by many people is the need to cover expensive office equipment, machines and computers against accident damage or theft. It cannot be assumed that your existing home contents insurance covers such risks, so office equipment used in the course of your business should be covered separately;
• Public liability – though often overlooked by those working from a home-based office, this is cover that is central to just about any form of business insurance. It protects you and your business against claims from members of the public, clients or customers who have been injured or whose property has been damaged during a visit to your office;
• Employers’ liability – if you employ someone other than an immediate member of your close family, the law typically requires that you have insurance cover against employees’ claims for injuries or illnesses sustained during the course of their work for you. A minimum level of £5 million is typically required and you could be fined if such cover is not in place;
• Professional liability – home office insurance will probably also need to include cover for professional liability if you are in the business of providing professional advice and services. Indeed, in order for you to be able to maintain registration with many of the professional bodies, adequate professional liability insurance will be a requirement.

Tags | Home office insurance