Startups & Growing SMEs
The right cover for where your business is now, and where it's going
- Early-stage businesses often buy the wrong insurance or not enough of it, because nobody has explained what they actually need. We do. A short conversation is usually enough to tell you exactly what matters at your current stage and what can wait.
Key risks
How risk changes as your business grows
The risks that matter for a 10-person startup are different from those facing a 50-person scale-up. The common thread: exposure grows faster than most founders expect.
- Professional indemnity exposure as you take on more clients with larger contracts
- Cyber and data risk as your systems, customer data, and digital footprint expand
- Public liability as your team, office, and customer interactions grow
- Management liability as you bring on directors, investors, and key employees
- Business interruption as your revenue becomes material and harder to replace quickly
Cover we typically structure
What growing businesses usually need
- Professional indemnity (sized to your contract values and client expectations)
- Cyber and data breach liability
- Public liability
- Management liability (especially when raising capital or bringing on non-executive directors)
- Business pack (office, equipment, contents, liability)
We also advise on what you don't need yet. Buying every policy available is expensive and unnecessary. We structure cover around where your business actually sits, with a view to what you'll need at the next stage.
Some important things to remember about small business insurance
Why Maverick
Talk to a small business Insurance adviser. No paperwork. No obligation.
Most insurers build products for established businesses. We know how to find the right cover for businesses that are scaling fast, changing shape, and don't have time to spend half a day on insurance admin. When you grow, we grow with you.
What is the minimum set of policies a startup in our sector should have?
We start by understanding your business model, contracts and growth plans. From there, we build a core program. Typically, public liability, property/contents, cyber, professional indemnity or product liability where relevant, and management liability, then scale it as your revenue, staff and risk profile grow.
How do we balance cash flow with getting enough cover?
We recognise that cash flow is critical in the early stages. We help you prioritise essential covers, adjust limits and deductibles sensibly, and explore premium‑funding options so you can protect the business properly without over‑stretching your budget.
Are investors, directors and key managers personally protected?
Many early‑stage businesses are heavily reliant on a small leadership team. We arrange management liability or directors and officers cover that responds to allegations of mismanagement, employment issues and regulatory investigations, helping to protect both the company and individual decision‑makers.
What cyber risks are we actually insured for?
We map your digital footprint: cloud services, payment systems, data held and third‑party integrations, and then structure cover around the key exposures. That typically includes response to ransomware and data breaches, legal liability, regulatory costs and business interruption, aligned with the security controls you have in place.
How do contracts with customers and suppliers affect our insurance needs?
We review the insurance and indemnity clauses in your contracts to ensure your policies can meet those obligations. Where a customer requires specific limits or that they be noted as an interested party, we adjust your program and documentation so you remain compliant while keeping the risk transfer sensible.
How often should we review our insurance as we scale?
For high‑growth businesses, an annual check‑in is rarely enough. We recommend reviewing your insurance whenever you enter a new market, sign a major contract, raise capital, launch a new product or materially increase turnover or headcount, and we stay close so changes can be made quickly when you need them.