High Risk Business Insurance
Specialist Insurance for Difficult-to-Insure Industries
Some businesses are considered high risk by insurers because of the industry they operate in, the activities they undertake or the potential consequences of an accident.
At Edison Ives, we specialise in helping businesses with complex insurance requirements. We take time to understand your operations, health and safety procedures and risk management arrangements before approaching appropriate insurers.
Whether you work at height, operate in a hazardous environment or have previously struggled to obtain suitable insurance, our team can help you explore the options available.
What Is High Risk Business Insurance?
High Risk Business Insurance is a broad term for specialist commercial insurance arranged for businesses whose activities fall outside the normal underwriting criteria of some insurers.
There is no single insurance policy that covers every high-risk industry. The appropriate arrangement depends on the business, its activities, exposures and contractual requirements.
Some businesses are automatically categorised as higher risk because of their trade description, even where they have strong safety procedures, experienced employees and a good claims history.
At Edison Ives, we believe it is important to look beyond the industry label and understand how a business actually operates.
Why Do Insurers Consider Some Businesses High Risk?
Insurers assess a wide range of factors when deciding whether to offer cover and on what terms.
Hazardous Activities
Work involving height, depth, heat, hazardous substances or dangerous machinery can increase the potential severity of an accident.
Potential Liability Claims
Some industries face greater exposure to injury, property damage or financial loss claims.
Specialist Equipment
Businesses using expensive, unusual or hazardous machinery may require additional underwriting consideration.
Claims History
Previous claims, incidents or losses may affect an insurer’s willingness to offer cover.
Unusual Contracts
Contractual obligations, indemnities and work undertaken at third-party premises may create additional exposures.
Limited Insurer Appetite
Some trades are excluded from standard commercial insurance products and require specialist underwriting markets.
High Risk Industries We Can Help Insure
We can explore insurance arrangements for a range of specialist and higher-risk business activities, subject to insurer appetite.
Rope Access Contractors
Specialist insurance consideration for businesses undertaking industrial rope access, inspection, cleaning and maintenance work.
Working at Height
Insurance for contractors working on roofs, structures, scaffolding and other elevated locations, subject to the activities undertaken.
Demolition Contractors
Specialist commercial insurance for demolition operations, including consideration of liability and contract-specific exposures.
Asbestos-Related Businesses
Insurance consideration for businesses involved in asbestos surveying, management or removal, with the precise activities fully disclosed.
Construction & Groundworks
Insurance for contractors undertaking excavation, groundworks, civil engineering and other construction activities.
High-Risk Manufacturing
Specialist insurance for manufacturing businesses using hazardous processes, materials or machinery.
Security Businesses
Insurance consideration for security companies, including specialist activities and contractual liability requirements.
Specialist Retailers
Insurance for retailers whose products, premises or business activities fall outside standard retail underwriting criteria.
Other specialist trades and industries may also be considered. Insurer availability will depend on the exact risk and the cover required.
Looking Beyond the High Risk Label
A business can be classified as high risk based on its industry alone. However, two businesses operating in the same sector may present very different insurance exposures.
For example, a rope access contractor undertaking routine building inspections may have different exposures from a contractor working on complex industrial structures.
Similarly, a specialist retailer with controlled access, appropriate security and carefully managed stock may present a different risk profile from another business operating in the same broad sector.
Understanding these distinctions can be important when approaching insurers.
We aim to provide underwriters with a clear and factual picture of your business rather than relying solely on a trade description.
How We Present High Risk Businesses to Insurers
For more complex risks, the quality of information supplied to an insurer can make a significant difference to the underwriting process.
We may work with you to understand:
Your Actual Activities
The work you undertake, the services you provide and any activities that fall outside your normal operations.
Health & Safety Procedures
Risk assessments, method statements, safe systems of work and relevant safety policies.
Training & Qualifications
Employee competence, industry accreditation, specialist training and relevant professional qualifications.
Claims Experience
Previous claims and incidents, together with any improvements made to prevent similar events.
Risk Management Measures
Security systems, protective equipment, supervision, maintenance and operational controls.
Contracts & Working Locations
The types of clients you work for, contractual requirements and the environments in which work is undertaken.
By developing a more complete understanding of the business, we can approach relevant insurance markets with information that supports an informed underwriting decision.
This does not guarantee that an insurer will offer cover, but it can help avoid misunderstandings about the nature of the risk.
What Insurance Might a High Risk Business Need?
Different businesses require different types of insurance. Depending on your operations, the following covers may be relevant.
Public Liability Insurance
Protection for qualifying compensation claims arising from your legal liability for injury to third parties or damage to their property.
Employers’ Liability Insurance
Cover for qualifying employee injury or illness claims. Employers’ liability insurance is legally required for most UK employers, subject to exemptions.
Products Liability Insurance
Protection against qualifying liability claims involving injury or property damage caused by products supplied or manufactured by your business.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Cover for specified claims arising from professional services, advice, design or other insured professional activities.
Contractors’ Plant Insurance
Protection for insured loss of or damage to owned plant and specified liabilities relating to hired-in equipment.
Contract Works Insurance
Cover for specified physical loss or damage to insured construction works during a project.
Commercial Property Insurance
Protection for business premises, buildings and eligible contents against specified insured events.
Business Interruption Insurance
Cover for qualifying financial losses following an insured interruption to business operations, subject to policy terms.
Some industries require specialist extensions or endorsements. It is important to check that the insurer has accepted the actual activities undertaken and that relevant exclusions are understood.
Insurance for Working at Height and Specialist Contractors
Working at height is a common reason why contractors encounter difficulties obtaining insurance.
Some standard liability policies impose maximum working height limits or exclude particular activities.
For businesses undertaking roofing, rope access, external maintenance or specialist access work, it is important to understand any height restrictions and ensure the insurer has been given accurate information.
We can help review relevant policy conditions and explore insurance arrangements for contractors undertaking specialist work at height.
Where appropriate, additional information about training, access methods, supervision and safety procedures may be required.
Insurance for Hazardous and Specialist Activities
Some industries require more detailed underwriting because of the potential severity of accidents or the complexity of the work involved.
Examples include demolition, asbestos-related work, certain engineering activities and specialist construction operations.
For these businesses, insurers may ask for information about:
- The precise nature of the work undertaken.
- Whether activities are licensed or subject to specific regulatory requirements.
- Employee training and relevant qualifications.
- Risk assessments and method statements.
- Subcontractor arrangements and responsibilities.
- Contract values and the types of premises involved.
- Claims history and previous incidents.
- Risk control measures and specialist equipment.
Cover for hazardous activities may be restricted or subject to specialist exclusions. Particular care is needed where pollution, asbestos or other long-tail liabilities are involved.
Struggling to Find Business Insurance?
Being declined by an insurer does not necessarily mean that every insurer will take the same view of your business.
Insurers have different underwriting appetites, and some markets specialise in sectors that others prefer not to insure.
If you have experienced difficulties obtaining cover, we can review the information available about your business and consider whether there are suitable markets to approach.
It is important to disclose previous insurer refusals, cancellations or special terms where requested, alongside any other information material to the risk.
We cannot guarantee that cover will be available, but we can help you explore appropriate options.
How Much Does High Risk Business Insurance Cost?
There is no standard price for High Risk Business Insurance. Premiums depend on the business activities, claims exposure and the cover required.
Business Activities
The nature of the work undertaken and the hazards associated with it can influence pricing.
Turnover & Workforce
Annual turnover, employee numbers and subcontractor arrangements may affect underwriting.
Claims History
Previous claims, incidents and losses can influence insurer appetite and premium levels.
Risk Management
Relevant safety procedures, qualifications and protective measures may help insurers assess the risk.
Cover Limits
Required liability limits, property values and optional extensions can affect the cost.
Contractual Requirements
Specialist contract conditions and the environments in which work is undertaken may influence terms.
What Information Do We Need for a High Risk Insurance Quote?
Depending on your business, we may request:
- A detailed description of your activities.
- Your annual turnover and workforce details.
- The types of contracts and clients you work with.
- Details of hazardous activities or unusual working environments.
- Relevant qualifications, accreditations and training.
- Risk assessments and health and safety procedures.
- Claims history and previous insurance arrangements.
- Any previous difficulties obtaining insurance.
- Required liability limits and other insurance covers.
For more complex risks, insurers may require additional documentation or a survey before offering terms.
Why Choose Edison Ives for High Risk Business Insurance?
We understand that a business should not be judged solely by its trade description.
At Edison Ives, we work to understand how your business operates, what risks it faces and what measures you have in place to manage those risks.
We aim to provide:
- A detailed understanding of your business activities.
- Clear presentation of complex risks to insurers.
- Access to appropriate commercial and specialist insurance markets.
- Consideration of relevant liability, property and contract-related covers.
- Clear explanations of important exclusions and restrictions.
- Personal service and broker support during the claims process.
Part of David Roberts & Partners
Edison Ives is proud to be part of David Roberts & Partners Ltd, an independent insurance broker group.
This relationship supports our access to a wider range of insurance markets and specialist expertise while allowing us to maintain the personal service our clients value.
Get a High Risk Business Insurance Quote
If your business operates in a specialist industry or has struggled to obtain suitable insurance, speak to Edison Ives.
We’ll take time to understand your operations and explore appropriate insurance options.
Contact Edison Ives
Call 0113 390 4646
Email info@edinsure.co.uk