Bed and Breakfasts Insurance
Protect your B and B from guest claims, property damage and food safety incidents with cover designed for small accommodation businesses.
Get in touchWhat is bed and breakfasts insurance?
Bed and Breakfasts insurance is a specialist policy that protects bed and breakfasts from the risks of serving customers, managing premises and employing staff. It typically includes public liability, employers liability and buildings and contents cover.
Running a bed and breakfast business involves risks from food safety and customer injuries to property damage and staff claims. The right insurance means a single incident will not shut your doors.
Find insurers who understand the hospitality and food sector, so your cover reflects the specific risks your bed and breakfast business faces.
Public Liability
Covers claims from guests for injury or property damage at your B and B.
Employers Liability
Required by law if you employ anyone, covering employee injury or illness claims.
Buildings and Contents
Covers your B and B building, guest rooms, furnishings and equipment.
Products Liability
Covers claims from food and breakfast items you serve to guests.
Who needs bed and breakfasts insurance?
Traditional B and Bs
Offering bed and breakfast accommodation in a residential property
Guest houses
Operating a larger guest house with multiple rooms
Farmhouse B and Bs
Providing accommodation on a working farm
Luxury B and Bs
Offering premium bed and breakfast experiences
Licensing and regulatory requirements for bed and breakfasts
Bed and breakfasts do not require a Premises Licence unless they serve alcohol or provide late-night refreshment (food after 11pm). However, Environmental Health registration is mandatory if you serve food to guests. B&Bs must comply with food hygiene standards for breakfast preparation, including proper storage, temperature controls, and allergen labelling. Your local authority may conduct unannounced food hygiene inspections.
Planning permission may be required if you are operating a B&B from residential premises. Some councils require registration or a certificate of lawful use if a significant number of guests stay. Check with your local planning authority to confirm whether your B&B operation requires planning consent.
Building Regulations and fire safety apply to all B&Bs. You must ensure guest bedrooms are safe, with emergency exits clearly marked. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are required. If your B&B has more than seven bedrooms, you may be classified as a hotel and subject to more stringent fire safety requirements.
Health and safety legislation requires risk assessments for guest areas and food preparation. Public liability insurance is essential and must cover guest injuries, allergic reactions, and property damage. If you employ a cleaner or cook, employers liability insurance is legally required. Ensure your policy covers home-based food preparation and guest accommodation.
How much does bed and breakfasts insurance cost?
£150 – £350 per year for a small 3-6 room bed and breakfast; larger B&Bs with 10+ rooms may pay £350 – £700
Real claims: what bed and breakfasts insurance covers
A guest suffered a severe allergic reaction to peanuts in a cooked breakfast, despite the host claiming the food was peanut-free. The guest required emergency hospital treatment.
Products liability covered the guest's emergency ambulance, hospital admission, specialist allergy treatment, medication, and compensation for pain and suffering.
£13,200 total — £8,500 hospital and specialist treatment, £3,500 compensation for allergic reaction and trauma, £1,200 legal and claims handling
A guest tripped on a loose carpet stair in a B&B corridor at night and fell down several steps, fracturing their ankle and ribs.
Public liability covered the guest's emergency treatment, hospital admission, imaging, fracture management, physiotherapy, and compensation for pain and suffering.
£18,900 total — £12,000 hospital and fracture treatment, £5,200 compensation for injuries and lost vacation time, £1,700 legal representation
A B&B owner's property was damaged when a guest carelessly left the bathroom tap running, causing water damage to the guest's room, the room below, and the ceiling.
Public liability covered the property owner's repair costs for water damage remediation, ceiling replacement, and contents restoration.
£8,500 total — £6,500 water damage repairs, £1,500 contents restoration, £500 legal and claims administration
WHY CECIL
Built differently.
Overnight guest cover
B and Bs have a duty of care to overnight guests. Cecil finds insurers who understand the risks of providing accommodation in a residential setting.
Property protected
Your B and B building and furnishings need proper cover. Cecil ensures your policy reflects the value of your property and its guest accommodation use.
Food service covered
Serving breakfast creates food safety liability. Cecil includes products liability so you are covered if a guest becomes ill from food you served.
Affordable for small operators
B and Bs are often small family businesses. Get your cover options that provide proper cover at a price that suits smaller accommodation providers.
Common questions about bed and breakfasts insurance
Do B and Bs need public liability insurance?
Yes, public liability is essential for B and Bs. Guests can be injured on your premises, and as a hospitality business you have a heightened duty of care.
Does B and B insurance cover guest food allergies?
Products liability covers claims arising from food you serve, including allergic reactions. Make sure you have proper allergen procedures in place.
Do I need buildings insurance for my B and B?
If you own the property, buildings insurance is essential. It covers the cost of rebuilding after fire, flood or other insured events.
What level of public liability do B and Bs need?
Most B and Bs carry between £2m and £5m. Online booking platforms may specify minimum cover levels.
Does B and B insurance cover guest belongings?
Some policies include limited cover for guests' property. Cecil can advise whether this is included or available as an add-on.
Do bed and breakfasts need public liability insurance?
Yes, public liability is essential for B&Bs. Guests can be injured by slips, trips, or allergen reactions, and claims can be substantial. Insurance protects you and demonstrates to guests that you operate professionally.
Does B&B insurance cover food poisoning from breakfast service?
Products liability covers claims if food you prepare causes food poisoning or allergic reactions. Ensure your policy explicitly covers allergen incidents, including exposure to common allergens like peanuts, gluten, and shellfish.
What level of public liability should a B&B carry?
Most B&Bs carry between £1m and £3m of cover. The appropriate level depends on the number of guests, the type of accommodation, and the level of on-site food service. Tourist boards may require minimum coverage levels.
Do I need a Premises Licence to run a B&B?
Only if you serve alcohol or provide late-night refreshment (food after 11pm). However, you must register with Environmental Health if you serve breakfast. Check with your local authority about registration requirements and planning permission.
Are B&B owners required to have employers liability insurance?
If you employ a cook, cleaner, or any other staff member, employers liability insurance is legally required. Even casual or part-time employees require cover. Sole operators with no employees are exempt.
Interested in Bed and Breakfasts insurance?
We will be in contact when Cecil launches.