Self-Employed Insurance
Let us help you find the perfect self-employed insurance policy, so you can protect everything you and your business have worked so hard to achieve so far.

Why choose Howden for Self Employed Insurance?
As a broker which specialises in business insurance, we pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. Thanks to the great relationships we have with our selected panel of standard and specialist insurers, we make the process of comparing various self employed insurance policies, on your behalf, easy and straightforward. What’s not to like?
Our team knows that each self employed policy needs to be as individual as its owner and their business, and that’s why we provide a flexible, personalised service, focused on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your cover.
Ultimately, just know, whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new business policy, or renew an existing one, we’re here to help.
Benefits of working with Howden:
- You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
- We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
- Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
- Speak with your local branch, within your community.
- We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.
What is Self Employed Insurance?
Self-employed insurance is designed to meet the needs of those that aren’t employed by the traditional employer, and instead work for themselves. If you're self-employed, you might work for yourself as a freelancer, consultant, contractor, or sole trader, and either way, and you can get self-employed insurance to protect themselves financially when the unexpected or emergencies happen.
As a self-employed individual, you don’t belong to an organisation either, so you'll have less access to the support and benefits that come with working for an employer, further proving how important this specialist type of insurance is for the self-employed.
So how can we help? Courtesy of the insurers we work with, we can offer a range of commercial insurance policies that self-employed workers can choose from. Clients can pick and choose from these insurance products and create a self-employed insurance package that compliments their business operation:
- Public liability insurance
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Employers' liability insurance
- Business equipment and property insurance
- Income protection insurance
- Health insurance
- Business interruption insurance
- Cyber liability insurance
- Commercial motor insurance
Here at Howden, we support a wide range small businesses and self-employed individuals with their insurance requirements, from window cleaners to dog walkers. When you speak to us, we make it our mission to find out as much as possible about you and your business, so we can make your life easier and source a policy that meets your expectations.
So, what are you waiting for? Call or visit us today and get started today with finding a self-employed insurance policy that matches exactly what you’re looking for.
More information about Self-Employed Insurance
Do I need insurance if I'm self-employed?
Generally, if you’re self-employed you’ll legally be required to have some form of insurance policy. However, not all forms of insurance are necessary, and are instead only recommended.
For instance, although it’s highly recommended that you do have public liability insurance, it’s not a legal requirement. Be aware though that some clients or contracts may insist that you have this insurance in place before working with you.
Ultimately, whether you need insurance or not is dependent on the nature of your business, how you operate, and how important you believe it is that not only you and your customers are adequately protected. For many potential customers, having that peace of mind that you have right insurance in place could make all the difference.
What is public liability insurance for self-employed workers?
For self-employed workers, public liability insurance provides financial protection in case they are held responsible for injury or damage to third parties (members of the public) or their property.
It’s designed to cover the costs associated with legal claims, compensation, and other expenses that may arise if someone files a claim against you for injury or property damage resulting from your business activities.
When considering public liability insurance, it's important to carefully assess your specific needs and consult with an insurance professional to ensure that you have appropriate coverage in place.
How to pay National Insurance if you’re self-employed (link to blog)
Typically, your National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are settled annually via the Self Assessment process. It's important to note that these contributions are calculated based on your business profits, not your total earnings. To determine your profits, you'll need to deduct your business expenses from your self-employed income.
Once you've finished filing your Self Assessment tax return, you'll receive an invoice with a due date for payment. This invoice will encompass your income tax, NICs, and may also include a "payment on account," which is an advance payment towards your next tax liability.
To find out more on this, take a look at our Simple Guide to Self-Employed National Insurance.
How much does self-employed insurance cost?
How much your self-employed insurance policy will cost will depend. The price can vary on a wide range of factors, including the type of insurance plan you opt for, the nature of your self-employment, your location, your claims history, and your individual circumstances.
The best way to determine the exact cost of self-employed insurance for your situation is to request quotes from insurance providers, or let our team do that for you. As insurance brokers, we can help you find a self-employed insurance policy that suits your budget, whilst not forcing you to compromise on what you expect from your policy.
Related articles and guides about Self-employed insurance
Take a look at our self-employed insurance articles and guides…
How to go Self-Employed: Your Complete Guide
More Resources
Articles about running a small business
Read any of the articles below to learn more about going self-employed, or starting and running your own small business:
Day-to-day running your business
- Running a business from home: Council rules in the UK
- Is your business ‘outstanding’?
- Turn business challenges into triumphs
- How does diversity help your business grow?
- Minimum wage rise - good or bad news for small businesses?
- What is the UK tax return deadline?
- New legislation impacting your business
- What is Employment Allowance UK?
- VAT return: all the information you need
- 21 of the smartest van storage ideas
- Do I need business insurance?
Starting your own business
- Business insurance brokers: what are they and how can they help?
- How to trade mark a name in the UK
- What’s on the HMRC starter checklist?
- Small Business Grants to Be Aware of in the UK
- How to Register a Name for a Business in the UK
- What to know about your business tax account (HMRC)
- Types of Business Insurance You Should Know About
- What business insurance do I need?
- How to Invoice as a Sole Trader: Your Step-by-Step Guide
- Sole Trader Advantages & Disadvantages
- What is a sole trader in the UK?
- How to register for VAT in the UK
Self-employed professionals
Latest guides on business terminology, documents and formulas
There are so many business documents, formulas and terminology that need to be considered when operating a business. Here are some guides on key aspects of business:
Business calculations & formulas
- Margin of safety: formula, and more
- How to Calculate Turnover for Your Company
- Gearing ratio: what to know for your business
- How to calculate VAT: A complete guide
- Working capital: formula, plus more
- Cost of sales formula: how to calculate CoS
- Cost of goods sold: formula and more
- How to value a business: step-by-step guide
Business jargon
- CapEx vs OpEx: What’s the difference?
- What is the domestic reverse charge?
- Per diem: meaning, examples, and more
- What is Turnover in Business? A Complete Guide
- What to Know About Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
- What is PAYE? All the info you need
- What is Employment Allowance UK?
- Markup vs margin: what’s the difference?
- How much is a damp proof course?
- What is a holding company?
- What is Capital Expenditure in Business?
- What is a PO number?
- What is operating profit?
- Salary advance: key info for employers
- What is equity in business?
- Non-current assets: your guide to the key info
- What is a breach of confidentiality?
Business documents
Guides about business liability insurance
Making sure your business is covered with the right liability insurance is crucial – whether it be public liability, employers liability, professional indemnity insurance, or something more specific.
Read up on how different types of liability insurance work by reading any of the articles below:
- Is public liability insurance compulsory?
- The Difference Between Employee & Public Liability Insurance
- What is Public Liability Insurance? (Full Guide)
- All you need to know about public and product liability insurance
- What’s the average employers’ liability insurance cost?
- How Much is Public Liability Insurance?
- Public Liability Insurance Certificate: All You Need to Know
- Why now is the time to take out Public Liability
- What is Employers’ Liability Insurance?
- What is Professional Indemnity Insurance? Your Complete Guide
- What is Errors and Omissions Insurance?
Other guides about specific small businesses
Interested to learn more about specific small businesses and professions? Find out more in any of latest business guides below:
- Insurance for takeaway businesses
- How to Start a Cleaning Business: 7 Steps to Take
- Run a vaping shop? Make sure your business is protected
- Built to last: insurance essentials for joinery businesses
- How to Become a Carpenter in the UK
- Mitigating flood risk for printing businesses
- Accounts payable: what you need to know
Public Liability Insurance
Public Liability Insurance you can trust
Look no further for essential protection against third-party damage and injuries.
Employers Liability Insurance
Liability cover that protects you, your employees, and your business.
It’s essential that you and your business are ready when the unexpected happens. Look no further than Howden’s employers’ liability insurance.
Product Liability Insurance
The right insurance for businesses that deal with physical products.
Find out more about how we, as an insurance broker, can help you find the perfect product liability cover.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Professional indemnity cover that backs your business
Sometimes things go wrong in business, and that’s normal, but you need reliable professional indemnity insurance to help soften the blow.