When applying for pub insurance, insurers need a clear picture of your premises, operations and risk profile to assess and price the cover accurately. Providing complete information at the outset leads to faster quotations, fewer queries and a policy that genuinely reflects your exposures. The list below is a brief summary - individual insurers may request further detail depending on the complexity of your risk. For background, see what pub insurance is, how much pub insurance costs and how long pub insurance takes to arrange.
Premises Details
Insurers will need the following information about the physical premises:
- Full address and postcode
- Type of tenure (freehold, leasehold or tenanted)
- Year built and construction materials (walls and roof)
- Floor area and licensed customer capacity
- Whether accommodation is provided above or adjacent to the pub
- Any listed building status or heritage restrictions
For leasehold or tenanted properties, insurers may also ask to see the lease agreement or tenancy schedule to understand maintenance obligations and permitted uses.
Business Operations
The nature of your trading activities significantly affects the risk profile:
- Annual turnover, split between wet sales (drinks) and dry sales (food)
- Whether a commercial kitchen operates and the type of cooking equipment used
- Details of entertainment - live music, DJs, karaoke, sporting screenings
- Opening hours and whether a late-night or 24-hour licence is held
- Total number of employees, including seasonal and part-time staff
- Annual wage roll
- Whether gaming machines, pool tables or amusement devices are present
- Any off-site events or catering services operated
Pubs with significant food operations, entertainment or late-night licensing will generally attract additional underwriting questions.
Insurance History
Insurers typically request:
- Current insurer and policy renewal date
- Claims history for the previous five years, including dates, descriptions and settlement amounts
- Whether any insurer has declined cover, imposed special terms or required excesses
- Details of any previous licence reviews or enforcement actions
A clean claims history generally leads to broader insurer appetite and keener pricing. A specialist broker can present prior claims in context, which can improve outcomes.
Why use a specialist broker?
We place cover with leading UK insurers, negotiate terms on your behalf and stay with you through renewals and claims.
- Whole of market access to leading UK insurers
- Policy wordings checked line by line, not price alone
- Same day quotes and claims support from a named broker
Same day quotes, no obligation
Sums Insured Required
You will need to confirm the levels of cover required:
- Buildings reinstatement value - for freeholders or where the lease requires you to insure the structure
- Contents, fixtures and fittings - including bar equipment, furniture, glassware and fittings
- Stock - maximum value held at any one time, including wet and dry stock
- Public liability - typically GBP 2 million, GBP 5 million or GBP 10 million
- Employers' liability - legally required if you have staff; typically GBP 10 million
- Business interruption - gross profit basis and indemnity period (typically 12, 18 or 24 months)
Underinsurance can lead to average being applied at claim time, so accurate valuations matter - see what happens without pub insurance and our guide on handling a denied pub insurance claim for context. A professional rebuild cost assessment and stock valuation are advisable for larger or more complex operations.
Additional Information for Complex Risks
For pubs that fall outside the standard risk profile, insurers may request further detail:
- Cellar and refrigeration systems - age, maintenance records and engineering inspection status
- Fire safety measures - alarm systems, suppression equipment, extraction cleaning records
- Security arrangements - CCTV, intruder alarms, cash handling procedures
- Accommodation operations - guest numbers, room rates, and whether guests have separate access
- Outside areas - beer gardens, smoking shelters, car parks and any marquees or temporary structures
- Previous convictions or disqualifications - of the licence holder or designated premises supervisor
This is not an exhaustive list. Each insurer has its own underwriting criteria, and a specialist broker can guide you through the specific requirements of the markets most suited to your risk.
How to Prepare
- Compile your premises details before requesting quotations
- Gather your claims history, including dates, descriptions and amounts paid
- Confirm accurate turnover and wage roll figures
- Obtain a professional rebuild cost assessment if you are responsible for insuring the building
- Review your current policy to identify any gaps or unnecessary cover
- Work with a specialist broker who understands the licensed trade
Our guide to reducing pub insurance costs covers how a well-prepared submission also drives keener pricing at quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information do you need to get pub insurance?
Insurers typically need premises details, business operations information, insurance and claims history, and the required sums insured. Additional detail may be requested for complex risks.
Do I need a professional valuation for pub insurance?
For buildings cover, a professional rebuild cost assessment is strongly recommended to avoid underinsurance. For stock and contents, your own careful valuation is usually sufficient unless the sums insured are unusually large.
Can I get pub insurance without a claims history?
Yes. New pub operators can obtain insurance. Some insurers will price based on the premises' trading history rather than the individual operator's record. A specialist broker helps access the broadest range of markets.
How far back do insurers ask about claims?
Most insurers request claims history for the previous five years. Some may ask about incidents that did not result in claims if they could give rise to future liability.
What if I cannot provide all the information immediately?
A specialist broker can still approach the market with the information you have available and request any missing detail as the quotation progresses. Cover notes can also be issued at short notice for urgent requirements.
