Questions to ask about your cover.
The right cover depends on how you run your business. Here are the questions worth asking, by situation. Or answer five quick questions and get your own list, ready to print. Nothing is sent to us.
Last reviewed October 2026
Build your own list
Tap an answer to each question, then Next. There is no typing, and nothing is sent to us or stored. Your list is general information to take to a broker, not advice about your own policy.
Cover checker
Question 1 of 5
Everyone who takes paying guests
Worth asking about whatever the size of your business.
A policy written for paying guests
Most home insurance does not cover paying guests, so ask whether the policy is written for the way you trade.
Contents, including the guest rooms
Beds, furniture, kitchen equipment and the things guests use may be insured separately from your own belongings.
Guests' belongings
Some policies include guests' luggage and valuables and some leave them out, so it is worth checking.
Public liability
This is the part that responds if a guest or visitor is hurt, or their property is damaged, and you are held responsible.
Loss of income, with a long enough indemnity period
Ask how long lost income would be paid after a fire or flood, as 12 months may not be enough to rebuild and reopen.
Legal expenses
Ask whether there is help with legal costs for disputes with guests, suppliers or staff, as it is often an optional extra.
If you let rooms through Airbnb or as self-catering
Letting through a booking site is still taking paying guests.
Whether your home insurance allows paying guests
Home insurance usually does not cover paying guests, even when they book through a website.
Booking site host guarantees
Host guarantees from booking sites are not insurance and have their own limits, so ask how they sit alongside a proper policy.
Your lender's or landlord's permission
Mortgage lenders and landlords often need to agree before you let rooms, and insurers may ask whether they have.
If you own the building
The building is usually the biggest figure on the policy.
Buildings cover at the full rebuild cost
The rebuild cost is what it would take to rebuild from the ground up, which is not the same as the market value.
What your mortgage lender asks for
Lenders often set a minimum buildings figure and may need to be noted on the policy.
If you rent or lease the building
The building and what you have added to it may sit on two different policies.
Who insures the building
Your landlord normally insures the building, so ask your broker to check the lease so nothing falls between the two policies.
Your own improvements to the building
Things you have added, such as a fitted kitchen, a bar or new flooring, are often not on the landlord's policy.
If you serve food or drink
Serving food or alcohol changes the risk, so tell the insurer what you serve.
Products liability for the food you serve
This is the part of liability cover that responds if a guest says food you served made them ill.
Food, drink and toiletry stock
What you buy in for guests can be insured as stock, so ask whether the amount on the policy is right.
Frozen and chilled food
Ask about food spoiled when a fridge or freezer breaks down or the power goes off.
Cover for licensed premises
Selling alcohol changes the risk, so tell the insurer and ask about liability linked to serving drink.
Wines and spirits
Alcohol stock is a target for theft and may have its own limit on the policy.
Loss of licence
Ask about cover if your licence is withdrawn or not renewed for reasons outside your control.
If anyone helps you
Paid, casual or family help can make a difference to the cover.
Employers' liability
The law usually requires this if you employ anyone, including part time and casual staff. GOV.UK: employers' liability
Family members who help out
Ask whether family helpers count as employees for insurance, as insurers treat this differently.
Listed buildings, closing for the winter, pools and play areas
Less common, but each one is worth raising.
Rebuild cost for a listed or thatched building
Rebuilding with traditional materials and methods usually costs more, so the rebuild figure should reflect that.
Conditions for thatch, wood burners and chimneys
Insurers may set conditions such as regular chimney sweeping, so ask what they are before you buy.
Cover while you are closed
Many policies have conditions once a building is empty for 30 to 45 days, so ask what applies and what checks you must make.
Pool, hot tub or play area liability
Tell the insurer about them and ask about any conditions, such as fencing, signs, cleaning records or supervision.
Want someone to check it for you?
We search a panel of UK insurers and specialist guest house schemes, and talk you through what we find. Ring 01288 353999 or ask for a free quote online. For each part of a policy in plain words, see what to cover.