·         The average SME insurance claim exceeds the monthly net profit of 45 per cent of the UK’s SMEs

·         The most common claims by SMEs are for accidental damage, theft and escape of water

·         Nearly half of small businesses affected by disruption over the past five years

·         The volume of small business claims had risen by 14 per cent year-on-year by the end of August

·         On average it takes five days for businesses to recover from an issue, to a point where they are able to operate again

 

New analysis from Direct Line for Business¹ reveals that millions of SMEs across the UK could be putting themselves at unnecessary risk in the face of a major business disruption.

The analysis reveals that the average small business insurance claim stands at around £2,500, which represents two thirds of the average SME’s monthly net profit² of £3,883. Sole traders, who represent more than three quarters (76 per cent) of the SME market, post average net profits of £1,154 per month. This means that, should their business experience a major issue, the cost of damages would represent more than two months’ worth of their profits. Microbusinesses, which account for around a fifth (20 per cent) of the market, would severely struggle to pay for an issue to be resolved, with the average cost accounting for 87 per cent of their average net profit of £2,943.

Even the average small or medium sized business would be affected by such an outlay, with the average damage cost accounting for 49 per cent and 41 per cent of their average net profits respectively.

Furthermore, Direct Line for Business’s analysis reveals that the number of claims made by small businesses has been rising, with the number of claims recorded between January and August 2019 14 per cent higher than during the same period in 2018.

The most common form of business disruption experienced by SMEs is accidental damage, which accounts for over a third (36 per cent) of claims over the past five years. This is followed by theft (26 per cent) and escape of water (nine per cent), meaning that these three types of issues account for nearly three quarters of all small business claims.

Carly Menken, Head of Small Business Trading, at Direct Line for Business, said: “SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, accounting for 99.9 per cent of all enterprises and contributing nearly £2 trillion to the economy annually. However, many of these businesses operate on very fine margins, and a major incident could have significant repercussions on their financial stability.

“It is therefore imperative for businesses to ensure that they take out a business insurance policy that suits their needs and provides the right level of cover to protect them should they be unfortunate enough to experience business disruption; giving them the best possible chance of ensuring continuity during difficult times.”

Further analysis of small businesses³ reveals that nearly half (46 per cent) have experienced an issue at some point over the past five years, costing an average of £3,097 in loss of trade. Furthermore, the average issue takes five days for businesses to recover from to a point where they are able to operate again, with a further 19 days passing before the business is able to get back to full capacity. In total, this amounts to 24 days – or three and a half weeks – during which a business is unable to operate fully (or at all) following an issue.

As a consequence of these issues, 82 per cent of businesses reported some form of negative repercussions following a disruption, with nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of businesses losing money as a result of missing out on work for either existing or potential clients, with a further 17 per cent losing clients due to not being able to fulfil orders. One in six (16 per cent) affected businesses ultimately had to make staff redundant, while one in nine (11 per cent) had to move the business to another premises.

For more information about small business insurance visit:

https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/small-business-insurance

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Notes to Editors

¹ Analysis of Direct Line for Business small business claims data for the period January 2015 to August 2019 conducted on 1^st November 2019

²  Omnibus research conducted by Opinium among 504 UK SME decisionmakers between 14^th and 20^th August 2019

³  Omnibus research conducted by Opinium among 2,004 UK adults, of which 544 held a senior position, in either a full- or part-time capacity, in a small business between 6^th and 9^th September 2019

For further information please contact:m

Direct Line for Business

Unni Henry

Tel: 01903 636 149

Email: [email protected]

 

Direct Line for Business

Launched in 2007 Direct Line for Business provides a range of insurance products for the small business sector direct by phone or on-line.

Direct Line for Business insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line for Business and U K Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line for Business products or get a quote by calling 0345 301 4827 or visiting https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk