Choosing between some of the best Business Insurance providers
Of the many things you need to consider when starting or owning a business, Business Insurance Cover should be at the top of your list. Whatever your vision and ambition for the company is, when you’re building something, you want to protect all the hard work you’ve put into it.
Business Insurance is for businesses of any size and type, yet many SMEs (small to medium enterprises) may not have the right kind of cover they require.
Business Insurance for your type of business
Small businesses are a big part of the South African economy, and most are owner-run. Stats SA counted about 953,000 employers (self-employed with employees) and 1,926,000 own-account workers (self-employed without employees) in Q1 2025.
FinScope’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises report in 2024 estimated 84% of MSMEs are micro (0–10 employees), 14% are small (11–50) and 2% are medium (51–250). With digitally driven services, remote work and the gig economy redefining the business landscape, you need to choose business insurance that matches your actual risks, so your operations can keep going if something goes wrong.
Hippo Business Insurance partners
| Company | Lowest “from” price* | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Auto & General | From R150 pm | Public Liability Insurance |
| Budget Insurance | From R250 pm | Event Liability Insurance |
| 1st for Women | From R150 pm | Public Liability Insurance |
| Dial Direct | From R150 pm | Public Liability Insurance |
| Old Mutual | From R249 pm | Insurance for Business (Business Cover Silver package) |
* Pricing vary by insurer/plan, always check policy wording, waiting periods, and sub-limits.
What is Business Insurance Cover?
No matter what type of business you have, on top of all the day-to-day challenges, it is also exposed to other unforeseen risks. This is where Business Insurance Cover comes in. For a monthly premium, which is calculated based on numerous factors and customised to specific businesses, you receive cover for unforeseen and potentially devastating eventualities. These events, which are impossible to plan for, can result in crippling costs or even the closure of your business.
There are many variations of Business Insurance Cover, here is a glossary of the products Hippo offers with our trusted partners:
Car and Commercial Property Insurance
This protects the physical bricks-and-mortar building of where you run your business from, from damage in the event of fire, theft or a natural disaster within the policy limits. You can also protect installed machinery or equipment you use to operate your business. You can also cover your business vehicles, whether it’s a single run-around bakkie or a fleet, so accidents, theft or damage do not bring operations to a standstill.
Business Legal Cover
Most policies focus on disputes that arise from running a business, especially contract disputes and litigation processes. Some wordings also spell out support for specific matters like civil claims based on a written contract, and labour-related proceedings, subject to the policy wording. The practical value is that it can cover costs like attorney and lawyer fees, plus court and filing costs, and other necessary legal expenses tied to the matter.
Public Liability Insurance
If a third party is injured or their property is damaged because of your business activities or negligence, public liability insurance can help cover your legal defence costs and the compensation you are legally required to pay, up to the policy limits.
Event Liability Insurance
This is event-specific public liability cover that protects you if someone is injured or their property is damaged during an event you organise, host, exhibit at, or sponsor.
Employee Benefits
This is a package of employer-provided benefits designed to support employees financially, typically combining retirement provision with group risk benefits such as death, disability, and income protection.
Employer’s Liability Insurance
Employer’s Liability Insurance covers an employer for any injury, illness or death an employee suffered during their work.
Product Liability Insurance
Product Liability Insurance protects the business from death, damage or injury caused by any products that your business manufactures, sells or supplies.
Considering legal and liability Business Insurance?
| Category | Business Legal cover | Business Liability cover |
|---|---|---|
| What it protects | Your legal costs | Your balance sheet if liable |
| Typical situation | Disputes requiring legal help | Third-party claims |
| What it pays | Attorney fees, court costs | Damages and legal costs |
| Parties involved | You vs someone | Someone vs you |
| Common examples | Labour disputes, unpaid invoices | Customer injury, product damage |
Find a Business Insurance policy suited to your operations
As with any Business Insurance cover there are many variables which need to be considered by our trusted partners before a monthly premium can be ascertained.
Using hippo.co.za simplifies the process by offering you quotes from some top business insurers in South Africa.
Compare business insurance options and find the right cover for your needs.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice. Coverage terms, pricing, and availability may vary. Always review policy documents carefully and confirm current pricing with providers before making any decisions.
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