Switching broker · International · 2026

Expanding overseas? Your UK policy may not follow you

Most UK commercial policies are written for UK risks. Trade, staff or clients abroad can sit outside the cover without anyone noticing — until a claim.

Part of: When to switch business insurance broker

In short

Two things in your policy decide whether overseas work is covered: the territorial limits (where you can operate) and the jurisdiction clause (where a claim can be brought against you). Many UK policies restrict both, and the USA and Canada are commonly excluded or need a specific extension because of their claims culture. Some countries also require insurance to be issued locally by an admitted insurer. If you're selling into, hiring in, or sending people to another country, a broker checks each policy against what you're actually doing and extends or re-places it where it falls short.

What commonly falls outside a UK policy

Work performed abroad, or products sold into markets outside the stated territory.
Claims brought in a foreign court — especially the USA or Canada — if the jurisdiction clause is UK-only.
Employees based or travelling overseas, where employers' liability and travel cover may not extend.
Local legal requirements for compulsory, locally issued cover in some countries.

What a broker does

Reviews the territorial and jurisdiction limits on every policy you hold against your actual footprint.
Arranges extensions (for example worldwide, or including USA/Canada) where the UK policy allows.
Sources local or international programmes where a UK policy can't legally or practically be extended.
Checks contracts with overseas clients for insurance clauses that name a foreign jurisdiction or limit.

The gap is invisible in normal trading. It only shows when a claim arrives from a country your policy never contemplated.

Frequently asked

Does my UK public liability cover work I do abroad?

Only if the territorial and jurisdiction limits allow it. Many standard policies don't extend, or exclude the USA and Canada. Check the schedule or ask a broker before you go.

What's the difference between territorial limits and jurisdiction?

Territorial limits are where you can carry out work; jurisdiction is where a claim can be brought. You need both to cover the country you're expanding into.

Do I need separate insurance in the country I'm expanding to?

Sometimes. A few countries require locally issued cover for certain risks. A broker will tell you whether an extension is enough or a local policy is needed.

Are staff working abroad covered by my employers' liability?

Often for temporary trips, but not always for people based overseas. It depends on the policy wording and how long they're there. Check before anyone relocates.

Trading abroad? Check your cover actually travels.

Tell us where you're operating and a named Apex broker will check every policy's territorial and jurisdiction limits — and fix the ones that stop at the border.

Check my international cover → Request a callback

Apex Insurance Brokers is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 724952). This page is general information, not advice.