Same-Day Business Cover: How Fast Can You Get Insured With a Broker?

When you need insurance today, waiting days for paperwork is not an option. A landlord might need buildings cover for a mortgage offer. A business might need public liability before starting a contract. Either way, speed matters, but so does getting it right.

With Evans Insurance, cover can often start the same day. Once terms are agreed and payment (or premium finance) is in place, proof of cover is often issued quickly. In straightforward cases, that can be within 15–30 minutes. If an insurer needs to refer your risk to an underwriter, we will tell you straight away and keep it moving.

This guide explains what affects speed, realistic timelines by product, and what to have ready if you need cover fast.

How quickly can cover start?

In many straightforward cases, you can be on cover the same day.

The usual process looks like this:

1. You share the key details (by phone or a short form)
2. We approach the right insurers from our panel and bring you the best options
3. You choose the cover and confirm the terms
4. Payment is arranged (card, bank transfer, or premium finance)
5. We issue proof of cover (often within 15–30 minutes of binding, where the insurer allows)

If you need a certificate, letter of insurance, or confirmation for a lender, client, or site manager, tell us early so we can match the wording and limits to what they are asking for.

What affects how fast you can get insured?

Most delays are not “insurance being slow”. They are usually down to missing details. The faster you can give clear information, the faster we can place it.

These points make the biggest difference:

• Complete, accurate information
  It prevents back-and-forth and avoids underwriter queries.
• Clear claims history
  Dates, amounts (paid and outstanding), what happened, and what changed afterwards.
• Sums insured and limits
  Buildings, contents, stock, tools/plant, business interruption, liability limits.
• Risk features
  Security, alarms, locks, fire protection, construction type, and any higher-risk work (for example hot works).
• Contract or lender requirements
  Some clients and lenders require specific limits, endorsements, or wording. If we know upfront, we can avoid reissuing documents later.
• Payment choice
  Instant card payment is quickest. Premium finance can still be fast, but you will need to complete an e-signature and direct debit setup.

Realistic same-day timelines by product

These are typical timeframes when you have the details ready. If an insurer needs a referral, it can take longer, but we will always tell you what’s realistic and why.

Landlord insurance (let property)

Same day is common, often within an hour. If you need confirmation for a mortgage offer, we can usually issue a broker confirmation shortly after binding.

Delays are more likely if the property is non-standard construction, listed, has been unoccupied, or has a complex leasehold setup.

Office and shop insurance packages

Same day is typical. Two to four hours is common if we need to confirm values, security, or stock/contents.

If there are unoccupied areas, high sums insured, or unusual trade activities, allow longer.

HMO insurance (House in Multiple Occupation)

Often same day, as long as you can confirm:

• property construction and occupancy
• tenant type
• management arrangements
• any previous claims or incidents

Add-ons like legal expenses or malicious damage can still be arranged quickly, but may require an underwriter referral.

Professional indemnity (PI) insurance

(Professional indemnity) can be same day for many trades and consultants. Some professions require a proposal form and underwriting review, so same day to next working day is a fair expectation.

If you are looking specifically for professional indemnity insurance in Ipswich, the quickest route is having your services, fee income, and any past circumstances/claims ready.

Combined liability (public and employers)

(Public liability and employers’ liability) can often be placed the same day once we know:

• what you do (and where)
• turnover and wage roll (payroll)
• subcontractor use
• claims history

High-hazard trades can take longer, but we still aim for a same-day decision where possible.

If you need cover that spans multiple activities, this is where a combined policy can simplify things. People searching for Colchester combined liability insurance usually want one policy that covers the full picture, without gaps.

Motor fleet insurance

Small fleets moving to us, or simple renewals, can sometimes be placed the same day. New fleets, fleets with mixed driver profiles, or complex claims histories may take until the next working day.

If you are comparing options for motor fleet insurance in Ipswich, the quickest way is to send a simple list of vehicles, drivers, and your claims experience.

How quickly can you get public liability?

In many cases, public liability can be arranged the same day.

If your activities are low to medium risk and you have your claims history ready, proof of cover is often available within 15–30 minutes after you accept terms and payment is set up.

If your work involves higher-risk elements (for example hot works, working at height, or hazardous locations), it may need an underwriter sign-off. That does not mean “days”, but it does mean we may need a referral before the insurer will bind cover.

What is the quickest way to get car or fleet insurance?

For individual business vehicles, speed depends on having:

• driver details and licence information
• no claims details (where applicable)
• vehicle details and how it is used
• where it is kept overnight

For fleets, the quickest route is:

• a vehicle schedule (registration, make/model, value, any modifications)
• driver list (DOB, licence info, convictions)
• claims history summary (even a basic list helps)

If you are planning to add vehicles this year, a fleet policy can make mid-term changes simpler than juggling multiple individual policies.

Same-day checklist: what to have ready

If you want the fastest result, have these to hand:

Business basics

• legal name and trading name
• address and contact details
• Companies House number (if applicable)

What you do

• clear description of activities
• where you operate
• any higher-risk tasks (for example hot works)

Figures

• turnover (last full year and current estimate)
• wage roll/payroll (if employers’ liability is needed)

Claims

• dates, amounts (paid/reserved), brief cause
• improvements made since the claim

Property (if relevant)

• construction type and year built (if known)
• occupancy (including any unoccupied periods)
• alarms, locks, shutters, fire protection

Sums insured

• buildings, contents, stock
• business interruption (if needed)
• tools/plant values

Landlords

• tenant type, AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy) or commercial lease
• rent amount and management arrangements

Vehicles

• registrations and values
• business use and overnight parking
• driver and licence details

Documents (if you have them)

• existing schedule or renewal invite
• any contract or lender wording requirements
• claims experience proof (if available)

Payment preference

• card / bank transfer / premium finance

Common hold-ups (and how to avoid them)

• Missing claims data
  Even approximate dates and totals help. We can refine later if needed.
• Unclear sums insured
  A previous schedule or recent valuation is ideal. If not, we can start with sensible estimates and improve them.
• Contract requirements discovered late
  Ask the client or lender for minimum limits and required wording at the start.
• Security not confirmed
  Tell us what you actually have. Photos can help for shutters, alarms, and locks.
• Premium finance not completed
  If you choose finance, complete the e-sign and direct debit setup promptly so cover can be bound without delay.

Premium finance: flexible payments without slowing things down

If paying annually is not ideal, premium finance can often be set up quickly. In many cases, approval is immediate and the documents can be signed electronically in minutes.

We will always outline the total cost, instalments, and any fees upfront, so there are no surprises.

The practical answer: can you get insured today?

For most SMEs (small and medium-sized businesses) and landlords, same-day cover is a realistic expectation when the risk is straightforward and the key details are ready.

• How fast can you get on cover? Often the same day
• How long does approval take? Minutes to a few hours, depending on underwriting
• How quickly can you get public liability? Frequently within 15–30 minutes after acceptance and payment
• What’s the quickest way to arrange motor or fleet cover? Provide vehicle/driver details and claims history in one go

If it cannot be done same day, we will tell you early, explain what’s causing the delay, and give you the quickest realistic next step.

Ready to get covered today?

Call or message Evans Insurance and you will speak with a dedicated broker who will gather the right details, present clear options, and aim to get you proof of cover as quickly as possible.

Whether you need landlord cover, shop or office insurance, professional indemnity (including Ipswich risks), combined liability (including Colchester businesses), or motor fleet insurance, the goal is simple: remove friction and get you properly insured without wasting your day.

For fast quotes and straight answers, talk to Evans Insurance today.