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What is pub and bar insurance?
Pub and bar insurance is a tailored business insurance package designed to protect landlords and bar owners against the unique risks of running licensed premises. It combines several covers into one policy, helping safeguard staff, customers, stock and property.
Core options often include:
Employers’ liability insurance – legally required if you employ staff, covering claims if employees are injured or fall ill at work.
Public liability insurance – protects you if a customer or visitor is injured on your premises or their property is damaged.
Commercial buildings insurance – covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding your premises if you own the property.
Policies can also include product liability insurance, contents and stock cover, and business interruption insurance, ensuring your pub or bar is financially protected if something goes wrong.
Do I need pub and bar insurance?
Yes, most pub and bar owners need insurance to meet legal requirements and to protect against everyday risks. Employers’ liability insurance is a legal obligation if you employ staff, while public liability insurance is strongly recommended to cover claims from customers who may be injured on your premises.
Even where cover is not compulsory, insurance provides vital financial protection. It can help with the costs of break-ins, damage to stock or equipment, and compensation claims linked to accidents or incidents involving customers. Without it, you could face substantial expenses that threaten the future of your business.
Why should I get pub insurance?
Avoid a £2,500 daily fine
If you are a UK business and you have any non-family members working for you then by law you must have employers liability insurance.
Without it, you can be fined up to £2,500 for every day you're not insured
Employers liability insurance covers the compensation costs if a worker becomes ill or injured because of their work for you. This includes ex-employees.
For example, if a worker was exposed to toxins which created health issues years later they could sue their old employer for failing to put adequate health and safety measures in place.
Protection for staff injuries and illnesses
If anyone who works for you becomes ill or injured because of their job you could be responsible for the associated costs, including expensive compensation claims.
Employers' liability insurance covers harm caused to employees, contractors, volunteers and anyone else doing any work for you. It's also a legal requirement.
A customer gets hurt
If anyone becomes ill because of food or drink you've served them, or injured because of a hazard on your premises, then you could be considered responsible for the associated costs, including expensive compensation claims.
Public liability insurance covers harm to members of the public, and will pay these fees for you.
Your stock and equipment is damaged or stolen
Business contents insurance can help you recover the cost of losing expensive equipment like coffee machines to fire, flood, theft and other disasters. Stock cover can offer similar protection for items in your inventory.
Your building is damaged
Business buildings insurance will protect the physical structure of your pub and bar from problems such as flooding and vandalism. Your mortgage lender may also insist you have this type of cover in place.
Legal support if you're sued
You can be taken to court if a client or a member of the public believe they have been physically or financially harmed because of your company's business activities, including if their property is damaged.
Pub owners could be found liable for everything from someone tripping over some unsecured cables to a customer having an allergic reaction to food you've supplied them. Public liability insurance can cover the legal fees and compensation payouts in such cases.
Did you know?
£68 million in insurance claims ^
That's how much was paid out in 2024. Without business insurance, those customers would have faced paying that bill themselves.
Why should I use MoneySuperMarket?
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What types of pub and bar insurance might I need?
Pub and bar owners may need several types of insurance to protect their business, staff, and customers. The most common covers include:
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Employers' liability
Employers’ liability insurance protects you if your staff become ill or injured at work.
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Public liability
Public liability insurance protects you if your work harms members of the public.
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Stock insurance
Stock insurance protects you if your items are lost, stolen, or damaged.
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Commercial buildings insurance
Commercial buildings insurance protects the pub or bar premises if you own the property, covering risks such as fire, flood, or structural damage.
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Product liability insurance
Product liability insurance covers claims if food or drink you serve causes illness or injury.
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Business contents insurance
Business contents insurance covers fixtures, fittings and equipment such as bar furniture, tills, and entertainment systems.
How much does pub and bar business insurance cost?
Cheapest Annual Price | Average Annual Price | |
|---|---|---|
Public liability | £64.94^ | £80.76^ |
The cost of pub and bar insurance depends on factors such as the size of your premises, the number of staff you employ, and the types of cover you choose. As a guide, public liability insurance for hospitality businesses starts from around £64.94
Premiums may be higher if you employ staff, serve food, or require additional protection such as buildings, contents, or stock insurance. However, insurance is often far cheaper than the cost of a claim – the average business insurance pay out is £3,377
What’s the cheapest price I could pay for business insurance?
£5
.41^ per month
According to our latest data, 10% of customers paid this when taking out an annual public liability insurance policy.
How much is the average business insurance claim?
£3,377^
The cost of fixing insurable problems yourself is usually significantly more expensive than taking out insurance.
What is included in bar and pub insurance?
Bar and pub insurance is usually offered as a package, combining different covers to protect your business. Depending on the policy, it can include:
Public and employers’ liability insurance – covering claims from customers, visitors, or staff for injury, illness, or property damage.
Stock and equipment insurance – protecting bar equipment, furniture, and alcohol stock against theft or accidental damage.
Legal expenses insurance – helping with the cost of disputes such as licensing, employment, or property issues.
Business vehicle cover – insuring vehicles used for deliveries or operations.
Business interruption insurance – covering lost income if your premises has to close due to fire, flood, or another insured event.
Policies also have exclusions. Most will not cover deliberate damage, incidents caused under the influence of drugs or alcohol, normal wear and tear, or the improper use of business vehicles. These exclusions are standard across business insurance and highlight the importance of using your policy correctly.
Will my insurance pay out?
88% of Simply Business claims^
Almost 9 in 10 of business insurance claims made by MoneySuperMarket customers were accepted last year.
All insurance has conditions and exceptions, so you should read your policy documents carefully to make sure you know what is and isn't covered.
When it comes to business insurance, the cheapest option may not be the best option for you. Sometimes it is worth paying a little more to get a better level of cover.
Our expert says…
Pubs are a beloved hallmark of British culture. Owners of these establishments are vulnerable to a slew of potential problems, however. Of all the violent incidents that happen in England and Wales, almost 1/5 happen in or around a pub or club.
^ Covid lockdowns shuttered pub doors for months. A spike in peanut allergies^ is even threatening to turn the quintessential bar snack into a legal liability.Many pub landlords therefore want a way to safeguard their business, staff and customers from harm. Comprehensive pub and bar insurance can take some worries off your plate. With it, your pub can continue to function as the centre of your community while you stay safe in the knowledge that you are protected should the worse happen.
Jake Edmonds Travel & Commercial Insurance Expert
Frequently asked questions
Will pub and bar insurance cover stolen money?
It depends on the specific policy, but it is not uncommon for business insurance to cover stolen cash, including if it is stolen by dishonest employees. Your insurance will probably insist you take safety precautions like locking money in a secure safe overnight. There will also be limits as to how much cash is covered.
Insurance policies may also only cover the loss of physical cash. If you want protection from digital theft, you should look for a policy that includes protection against cyber fraud.
Will my home insurance cover my pub?
No, standard home insurance will not usually cover buildings that you use for business. If you are renting the building that you are using for your pub or bar, it's the responsibility of your landlord to buy commercial buildings insurance. If you own the building, your mortgage lender will probably insist you take out this type of cover.
Business building insurance only covers the cost of damage to the physical structures of your pub or bar. To protect the contents of your business – such as the furniture, alcohol and bar equipment – you can take out business contents insurance and stock cover.
Is it illegal for a pub not to be insured?
No, pub insurance is not a legal requirement.
However, if you employ any non-family members, including part-time workers or volunteers, it is illegal to not have employers' liability insurance.
What types of establishments will public house insurance cover?
How does MoneySuperMarket make money?
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Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.
Why should I use a price comparison website?
One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.
Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?
No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
Is business insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
No, at this time business insurance is not an eligible product for unlocking our SuperSaveClub rewards. It is also not included in our Price Promise.
Who are Simply Business?
Simply Business is one of the largest insurance brokers in the UK. They work with leading and specialist insurers to provide cover for small business owners, landlords and self-employed workers.
MoneySuperMarket has a commercial partnership with Simply Business. They offer various business and landlord insurance policies from different insurers through our platform, allowing our customers to find affordable quotes and policies that suit your specific needs.
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Reviewed on 5 Dec 2025 by
According to Simply Business data, 10% of customers paid £5.41 or less monthly for a public liability insurance policy. Figure based on annual quotes purchased between 1st Aug - 31st Oct 2025. The price is for up to £2 million of public liability insurance and excludes the extra costs for paying monthly
According to Simply Business data, 10% of customers paid £64.94 or less annually for a public liability insurance policy. Figure based on annual quotes purchased between 1st Aug - 31st Oct 2025. The price is for up to £2 million of public liability insurance and excludes the extra costs for paying monthly
According to Simply Business data, 51% of customers paid £80.76 or less annually for a public liability insurance policy. Figure based on annual quotes purchased between 1st Aug - 31st Oct 2025. The price is for up to £2 million of public liability insurance and excludes the extra costs for paying monthly
Average claims value for MoneySuperMarket customers who claimed on their business insurance in the last 12 months. Data provided by SimplyBusiness.
Source: Gov.uk
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
From 01.06.23 to 31.05.24 MoneySuperMarket customers received £1.59bn estimated savings based on (i) SuperSaveClub reward redemptions, and (ii) savings claims per product multiplied by the number of sales. Products included - Car, Home, Pet and Travel insurance, Broadband, Credit Cards, Loans and Mortgages.
Source: Violent Crime and Sexual Offences - Alcohol-Related Violence, Office for National Statistics (ONS). Based on findings from the 2013/14 Crime Survey for England and Wales and police recorded crime over the same period on violent crime and sexual offences.
Source: The Lancet, Time trends in the epidemiology of food allergy in England: an observational analysis of Clinical Practice Research Datalink data
Simply Business data 2024
88% of business insurance claims made by MoneySuperMarket customers were accepted in the 12 months before March 2025. Data from SimplyBusiness.