Business Interruption Insurance
If a fire, flood or major incident forces your business to close temporarily, the bills do not stop. Business interruption insurance covers your lost income and ongoing costs while you recover.
Get in touchWhat is business interruption insurance?
Business interruption insurance covers the income your business loses and the ongoing expenses it must continue to pay if it cannot trade following an insured event, such as a fire, flood or storm damage. It is designed to put your business back in the financial position it would have been in had the interruption not occurred.
When your premises are damaged, buildings and contents insurance pays for the physical repairs. But it does not cover the revenue you lose while those repairs are carried out, or the rent, wages, loan repayments and other fixed costs that continue even when you cannot operate.
Business interruption insurance fills this gap. It typically pays out for a defined indemnity period, often 12, 24 or 36 months, giving you the financial stability to recover without being forced to close permanently.
What is covered
- Lost revenue during closure
- Ongoing fixed costs such as rent and wages
- Temporary relocation costs
- Increased cost of working to resume trading
What is not covered
- Losses not caused by an insured event
Only events covered by your underlying property policy trigger business interruption cover
- Losses after the indemnity period ends
Cover is limited to the indemnity period stated in your policy, typically 12 to 36 months
Who needs business interruption insurance?
Retailers and shop owners
Any business with physical premises that generates daily revenue from footfall
Restaurants, cafes and pubs
Hospitality businesses where even a short closure results in significant lost income
Manufacturers and producers
Any business relying on specialist equipment or production facilities
Service businesses with offices
Professional firms whose ability to serve clients depends on access to their premises and equipment
WHY CECIL
Built differently.
UK specialists
Leading UK insurers only. No American-style policies retrofitted for British businesses.
Straightforward process
Tell us about your business. We find the options. You choose. No lengthy forms, no automated runaround.
Cover that actually fits
Cover that fits how your business operates, not a generic category. Tell us what you do and get the options that actually match.
Here when it matters
When something goes wrong, you need your insurer to respond. Only insurers rated for their claims handling.
Common questions about business interruption insurance
Is business interruption insurance the same as buildings insurance?
No. Buildings insurance covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding the physical structure after damage. Business interruption insurance covers the financial losses you suffer because you cannot trade while those repairs are being done. The two policies work together but cover different things.
How long does business interruption insurance pay out?
It pays out for the indemnity period stated in your policy, which is typically 12, 24 or 36 months from the date of the incident. Once the indemnity period ends, payments stop, even if your business has not fully recovered. Choosing the right indemnity period is one of the most important decisions when setting up your cover.
Does business interruption insurance cover pandemics?
Standard business interruption policies typically cover losses caused by physical damage to your premises, such as fire or flood. Most do not cover losses from pandemics or government-ordered closures unless the policy specifically includes infectious disease or denial of access extensions. Check your policy wording carefully or speak to Cecil for guidance.
Industries that need this cover
Business Interruption Insurance is commonly required across these sectors.
Interested in Business Interruption Insurance?
We will be in contact when Cecil launches.