Insurance broker in Bristol
Where to find us
Our head office is at QCS, 53 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol BS1 4HQ — in the old city, between Queen Square and Bristol Bridge, a few minutes’ walk from the harbourside and the commercial district around Corn Street. We also have an office at the Basepoint Centre in Weymouth; the same team and the same markets stand behind both.
Being in the middle of Bristol matters for the way we work. Plenty of our clients never visit — phone and email cover most of what a broker does — but when a risk deserves a conversation across a table, we are here, and for larger risks we will come to you.
An independent, whole-of-market broker
Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 724952). We are independent: we act for you, not for any insurer, and we are not tied to any panel. When you give us your details we approach the market — composite insurers, specialist underwriters and Lloyd’s, as the risk demands — and come back with options rather than a single quote from a single company.
That matters most at the edges: a claim on the record, a trade the online insurers decline, an unusual mix of activities, a limit a client contract demands. We cannot promise every risk is placeable, but we can usually find a market, and we will tell you honestly when we cannot.
Professional indemnity, done properly
Professional indemnity is a specialism here, not a sideline. For regulated professions the policy has to satisfy a regulator’s minimum terms as well as an underwriter; for consultants and technology firms it has to match what the contracts actually say. We read the engagement terms, check the limit and the basis of cover against what clients are demanding, and place the risk with insurers who understand the profession. When a firm grows past what an online policy can describe — more staff, mixed disciplines, bigger contracts — we design the programme rather than just renew the policy.
Alongside PI we build the rest of the programme: office and premises cover, employers’ and public liability, cyber, directors’ and officers’, and business interruption sums that would actually rebuild the business. One broker, one renewal conversation, no gaps between policies.
What working with a Bristol broker looks like
The quickest start is your current schedule, Statement of Fact or renewal pack — send it over and it answers most of an underwriter’s questions in one go, with no long forms. If you are buying cover for the first time, call and we will take the details over the phone.
For larger or more complex risks we go further: a broker will visit you, walk the premises and see the business first-hand before we present it to underwriters, because a risk described well is a risk priced properly. There is more on how we approach these placements on our complex commercial insurance page.
Then it stays personal. You deal with a broker who knows the file — not a call centre — at renewal, at mid-term changes, and above all if you have to claim, when having someone who presented the risk arguing your corner is worth more than any premium saving.
Renewal, mid-term changes and claims
A broker’s value shows up after the policy is bought. At renewal we re-present the risk rather than letting it roll over, because a business rarely looks the same two years running — turnover moves, activities change, sums insured drift behind rebuild costs. Mid-term, the things that catch businesses out — a new premises, a new activity, a big new contract — are usually notifiable, and a quick call to us keeps the cover watertight. And when a claim comes, you call us first: we notify insurers, keep the claim moving and argue your corner if it stalls.
Who we help in and around Bristol
Professional firms
Bristol has one of the strongest professional-services economies outside London, and professional indemnity is the core of what we do. We arrange PI for solicitors, architects, accountants, IFAs, engineers and surveyors — from a first policy to programmes with contract-mandated limits. Start with our guides for solicitors, surveyors and Bristol accountants.
Trades and construction
Liability, contract works, tools and plant for Bristol’s builders, roofers, electricians, plumbers and groundworkers — including height, heat and depth work that form-driven insurers decline. See roofers’ insurance in Bristol, public liability and employers’ liability.
Landlords and property owners
From a single buy-to-let in Bedminster to mixed commercial portfolios across the city — buildings, loss of rent, property owners’ liability and correct reinstatement values. See landlord insurance in Bristol.
Hospitality and retail
Shops, cafés, restaurants and bars — stock, contents, business interruption and licensing-related covers. See shop insurance and restaurant insurance.
Tech and startups
Bristol’s tech and creative firms buy insurance differently: PI and cyber first, investor and client requirements driving limits, cover that has to keep pace with headcount and contracts. We arrange programmes that grow with you rather than policies you outgrow.
Common questions
Do I need to visit your Bristol office?
No. Most of our work is done by phone and email, and documents are sent electronically. The Queen Charlotte Street office is there if you would rather sit down with someone — and for larger risks we will come to you and walk the premises ourselves.
Are you tied to particular insurers?
No. We are an independent, whole-of-market broker. We act for you, not for any insurer, and we approach the insurers that fit your risk rather than a fixed panel.
What areas do you cover?
Anywhere in the UK. Our head office is in central Bristol and we have a second office in Weymouth, so much of our work is across Bristol, Bath, the South West and South Wales — but nothing about our service depends on where you are based.
How are you paid?
Normally by commission from the insurer when a policy is placed. If we ever charge a separate broker fee, we tell you the amount before you commit to anything.
What should I have ready when I get in touch?
If you have existing cover, your current schedule or renewal pack answers most questions in one go. Starting from scratch, a rough idea of what the business does, expected turnover and whether you employ anyone is enough.
Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 724952). This page is general information, not advice on a specific policy.