PI broker · Manchester

PI insurance broker in Manchester — specialist cover for professional firms

Reviewed by Matthew Bartlett, Director, Apex Insurance Brokers Limited (FCA FRN 724952) · Published 14 July 2026

Apex Insurance Brokers is FCA-directly-authorised (FRN 724952) and serves professional firms across Manchester and Greater Manchester and the wider North West from our Bristol base. This page sets out how we work with Manchester-based firms, what cover we place, and how to start an enquiry.

Serving Manchester professional firms

  1. Nationwide broker with a Bristol base. We serve professional firms across the UK, not just in the immediate area.
  2. Named-broker model. Every Manchester client is served by the same named broker from first quote to renewal.
  3. Sector coverage. Manchester's professional firm base is one of the largest UK regional hubs, particularly strong in legal, accounting, engineering and IT consulting sectors.
  4. Firm sizes. Sole practitioners through to Lloyd's-limit firms.
  5. Video, phone, and in-person meetings. Manchester meetings arranged in person as needed at the client's office.

Sectors we place PI for in Manchester

  1. Solicitors. SRA MTC-compliant Qualifying Insurer placements including remarketing at 1 October.
  2. Architects. ARB Standard 8 adequacy, BSA 2022 s.135 exposure, Principal Designer role.
  3. Accountants. ICAEW Bye-law 61 2.5x formula, ACCA Rule 8, R&D tax credit exposure.
  4. Surveyors. RICS Rules of Conduct Rule 9, Red Book valuation, building surveying.
  5. Engineers. ICE / IStructE / IMechE framework, BSA 2022 structural exposure.
  6. IFAs and financial advisers. FCA MIPRU / ICOBS minimums, Consumer Duty implementation, DB-transfer history.
  7. IT consultants and management consultants. Client-contract-driven cover, IR35-adjacent considerations.
  8. Insurance brokers. MIPRU 3 own-PII cover.

How we approach a PI placement

  1. Full presentation preparation — fee income, practice mix, personnel, claims history, remediation narrative.
  2. Market run — 6-10 insurers direct plus Lloyd's via wholesale.
  3. Structural options tested — excess levels, aggregation, cover-limit sizing.
  4. Consumer Duty documentation where applicable.
  5. Comparison of quotes on price, structure, wording.
  6. Bind decision with cover-note bridge.
  7. Ongoing broker relationship for the year.

Why Manchester firms use Apex

  1. Directly authorised by the FCA. FRN 724952. Consumer Duty accountability at director level, not delegated to a principal firm.
  2. 17 years placing PI across 18 regulated professions.
  3. Named-broker continuity. Same person from first quote to renewal — no call-centre queue.
  4. Director-level claim handling. Matthew Bartlett (SMF3 / SMF16 / SMF17) personally reviews every claim notification.
  5. Wholesale market access. Lloyd's syndicates via wholesale for difficult risks that direct-market insurers won't write.
  6. 95% client retention.

Starting an enquiry

  1. Call the director-line: 0117 325 0027.
  2. Email: info@apexinsurancebrokers.co.uk.
  3. Online enquiry: /get-a-quote/ — select your profession and provide fee income + practice mix.
  4. Video meeting: arranged after initial contact for material placements.
  5. Documents needed: current PI schedule, claims history, fee income figures, practice profile.

Frequently asked

Do you have an office in Manchester?
Apex Insurance Brokers is Bristol-based and serves professional firms across the UK. We meet Manchester clients via video, phone, and in person as needed. Bristol location doesn't restrict our ability to serve Manchester-based firms.
Are you an FCA-authorised broker?
Yes. Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is directly authorised by the FCA under firm reference number 724952. Directly authorised firms carry Consumer Duty (PRIN 2A) accountability at director level.
How much does PI insurance cost for a Manchester professional firm?
Highly variable depending on sector, turnover, claims history, and practice profile. Small sole-practitioner clean-history practices from low three figures; specialist practices with material exposure into five figures. We quote what the market returns after proper presentation.
Can you place cover for a Manchester firm with prior claims?
Yes typically. Our wholesale market access including Lloyd's syndicates significantly widens the market for difficult-risk placements. Specialist broker approach essential for adverse-history cases.
Do you handle Manchester solicitors' 1 October renewals?
Yes. We place SRA MTC-compliant cover for solicitors' firms across the UK including {city}. Our renewal-preparation process typically starts 6-8 weeks before the 1 October date.
Can you serve small firms and freelancers in Manchester?
Yes. Our client range includes sole practitioners and small firms alongside larger practices. Named-broker attention applies regardless of firm size.
What if I'm already served by a scheme broker — can Apex help?
Yes. We routinely remarket for firms currently in scheme arrangements and often find better structure or price. No obligation from an initial conversation.
How long does it take to get PI cover in place?
For a straightforward clean-history renewal: 2-4 weeks. For a complex or difficult-risk placement: 4-6 weeks. Start well before your renewal date.

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