Direct Line to launch commercial insurance

Direct Line has announced that it is launching four new commercial insurance policies. The products will be launched over September and October.

The policies will all be available via the umbrella brand 'Direct Line for Business', and have been developed for small businesses operating in a number of sectors. The products are a natural extension to the existing Direct Line product range and are aimed at sole traders and partnerships owned by individuals who also manage their business.

Key features of the new products are as follows:

Tradesman Insurance. This will cover self employed individuals or small companies working in the 'trades', such as plumbing, building and electricians. The product provides public and product liability insurance cover up to £5 million for most trades. There is also optional cover for tools up to £1500 per person, including laptops and mobile phones.

Residential and Commercial Property Insurance. Both these policies have been developed for buy to let owners and property investors with a portfolio of up to five properties. The cover provides full buildings and property owner liability plus various add on options such as cover for landlords contents and loss of rent if the property becomes inhabitable.

Shop Insurance. This policy is for owners of high street, non-chain, shops. So, for example, hairdressers, florists or a typical 'corner' shop.

As well as providing standard cover the policy also includes £15,000 cover for perishable goods lost from storage equipment breakdown and up to £2,000 cover for goods in transit plus £500,000 business interruption cover.

All the products will be available via Direct Line's specialist commercial call centre or online at www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk, and customers can benefit from two separate launch offers:

A fixed premium for two years
The ability to pay by monthly instalments at no extra cost

Kate Syred, Spokesperson at Direct Line for Business, commented: " Direct Line is one of the UK's leading car and home insurers and the launch of these products is great news for small businesses who can now take advantage of the benefits of being a Direct Line customer"

For more information, log on to directlineforbusiness.co.uk.