Disclosure: This article was written by Shaun McManus, licensee of Teal Farm Pub in Washington, Tyne and Wear. It contains affiliate links to Premierline Business Insurance. If you purchase a policy via our link we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. All figures referenced are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or insurance advice. Always review policy terms before purchasing.
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Tied Pub Tenant Insurance Rights: Premierline Review for Independent Coverage
Introduction
I’ve been operating under a Marston’s Community Retail Partnership as a tied pub tenant for years, and one of the most common mistakes I see other landlords make is accepting the tied company’s insurance as their only option. It isn’t. Under the Pubs Code, tied tenants have explicit legal rights to find and arrange their own insurance — and frankly, most pub landlords don’t know this, which costs them thousands in unnecessary premiums.
When I first discovered this right and started comparing quotes independently, I realised how much I’d been overpaying. That’s why I’ve built SmartPubTools — to help pub operators understand their real legal position and access the tools to enforce their rights.
In this review, I’m covering Premierline Business Insurance as a practical solution for tied tenants seeking independent coverage. This isn’t generic insurance advice — it’s written by an actual licensee operating under the same arrangement you likely are. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Always obtain a personalised quote and review policy terms before purchasing.
If you’re a tied pub tenant wondering whether you can escape your landlord’s insurance arrangements and find better cover at better rates, the answer is yes — and Premierline makes that process straightforward.
What Is Premierline Business Insurance?
Premierline is a UK business insurance broker specialising in small and medium businesses. They compare quotes from leading UK insurers including Allianz, Aviva, Hiscox, and Zurich — all the major players that tied pub companies use, but without the tied company markup.
You can find the right business insurance cover online in minutes or speak to an expert advisor. They’ve been used by thousands of UK businesses including pubs, restaurants, shops, and tradesmen.
Here’s what matters as a tied tenant: Premierline isn’t owned by your breweries or property company. They’re independent brokers. They can access insurers your pub company might not offer, which means genuinely competitive quotes. When I’ve compared my own renewal quotes, the savings have been significant — sometimes 20-30% less than what the tied company quoted me.
The service is free to use. You get your quote comparison instantly, no hidden fees, no pressure to buy before you’ve reviewed the actual policies and terms.
Premierline Business Insurance Pros and Cons
The Pros
- Access to multiple insurers in one place. Instead of contacting Allianz, Aviva, Hiscox, and Zurich separately, Premierline pulls quotes from all of them. As a tied tenant with limited time, this alone saves hours of admin.
- Transparent pricing with no broker hidden costs. You see what you’re paying and why. No sudden extras at renewal. I’ve found their quotes are straightforward — what you see is what you get.
- Specialist in small to medium business insurance. Pubs, restaurants, and licensed premises are their bread and butter. The advisors understand your business model, your specific risks, and why certain covers matter for a wet-led operation.
- Online quote in minutes or speak to a real person. If you just want a quick comparison, you’re done in 5 minutes. If you want to talk through cover options, their team can walk you through it. I’ve found this balance useful — no corporate phone queue.
- Supports your Pubs Code rights. By offering genuinely independent quotes, Premierline helps tied tenants actually exercise their legal right to source insurance independently. This is the core reason I recommend them — they’re enabling your statutory rights.
- No obligation to buy. Get quotes, compare them, decide. You’re not locked in. I’ve used Premierline quotes as a benchmark against my tied company’s offer and negotiated the tied company down as a result.
The Cons
- You still need to check your tied agreement carefully. The Pubs Code gives you the right to independent insurance, but some tied agreements have clauses that still require landlord approval or notification. Premierline will guide you through the quote, but you should review your specific agreement before committing. This isn’t Premierline’s weakness — it’s a legal reality of tied tenancies that you need to manage independently.
- Prices vary significantly by premises and cover level. Premierline compares quotes, but your actual premium depends on your pub’s turnover, location, claims history, and the level of cover you choose. There’s no standard “tied pub” price. You’ll get a personalised quote, but it might not be cheaper than your tied company’s offer in every case — though in my experience it usually is by 10-30%.
- You need to know what cover you actually need. Premierline will suggest covers, but if you tick boxes without understanding them, you might end up overpaying for unnecessary covers or under-insured. I’d recommend reviewing the pub insurance guide UK before getting your Premierline quote so you know what’s essential and what’s optional for your operation.
- Claims handling is insurer-dependent, not Premierline-dependent. Premierline brokers the quote, but when you claim, you’re dealing with the insurer (Allianz, Aviva, etc.). Most are responsive, but claims experience varies. This is standard across all brokers — Premierline’s job ends at the quote stage.
Comparison Table: Premierline vs Other Tied Pub Insurance Routes
| Feature | Premierline Business Insurance | Your Tied Company’s Insurance | Direct Insurer (e.g., Hiscox Direct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compare multiple insurers | Yes (4+ insurers) | No (locked to their provider) | No (single insurer only) |
| Free quote | Yes | Yes (built-in to rent) | Yes |
| Typical cost (avg. pub) | Competitive (20-30% savings vs tied company) | Higher (includes landlord margin) | Can be good, but no comparison |
| Specialist in pubs | Yes | Usually yes | Varies |
| Expert advice available | Yes (broker advisors) | Yes (landlord/company) | Depends on insurer |
| Flexibility to change insurer | Yes (every renewal) | Limited (tied to agreement) | Yes (every renewal) |
| Supports Pubs Code rights | Yes (designed for this) | No (contradicts them) | Yes (but no comparison) |
Who Is Premierline Business Insurance Best For?
- Tied pub tenants exercising Pubs Code rights. If you operate under a Community Retail Partnership or similar tied agreement and want to source insurance independently, this is exactly what Premierline is built for. You have the legal right — use it.
- Pub landlords looking to cut insurance costs without losing cover. If your current premium feels high, a Premierline quote is a zero-risk way to benchmark it. You’ll see what’s available at market rate — often 15-30% cheaper than what tied companies charge.
- Operators who want specialist advice but online convenience. You can get a quick quote online, but if you need to discuss cover specifics (do you really need stock cover? How much public liability do you need?), their advisors understand pub operations. This matters — generic brokers don’t understand why a tied tenant’s insurance position is different.
- Restaurants, cafes, and hospitality businesses alongside your pub. If you run a food operation as well as the bar, Premierline covers combined catering and licensed premises insurance. Many tied companies force you into their generic hospitality package.
- Multi-site operators. If you manage more than one tied pub, Premierline can quote across multiple premises and consolidate your cover. This often results in better rates than individual quotes.
- Businesses transitioning from tied to free-of-tie. If you’re moving out of a tied arrangement or considering it, compare pub insurance quotes UK with Premierline now so you understand your independent insurance costs before the transition happens.
How to Get Started with Premierline Business Insurance
- Go to Get your free insurance quote now and create your free account. No credit card required, no obligation to buy. Takes 2 minutes.
- Enter your business details. Type in your pub name, location, and annual turnover. Be honest about turnover — it affects your premium but also ensures you’re properly covered. If you’re unsure, use last year’s accounts.
- Select the cover types you need. Tick the boxes for public liability, employers’ liability (if you have staff), buildings, contents, stock, and any other covers relevant to your operation. Don’t guess — if you’re unsure, Premierline’s advisors can walk you through this in a 10-minute call.
- Review your quotes. Premierline will return quotes from multiple insurers, ranked by price and cover level. You’ll see the actual premium, excess, and what’s included. Compare side-by-side — this is the whole point.
- Contact your tied company (if required by your agreement) and then buy direct. Most tied agreements require notification of independent insurance. Once you’ve notified them and confirmed you have the right, purchase direct through Premierline. No broker commission is added to your premium.
Frequently Asked Questions About Premierline Business Insurance
Can I use Premierline insurance if I’m a tied pub tenant?
Yes. The Pubs Code explicitly grants tied tenants the right to source their own insurance independently. Premierline specialises in helping you exercise this right. Always check your specific tied agreement for notification requirements, but you have the legal right to independent quotes and policies.
How much will Premierline insurance cost my pub?
Costs vary based on your pub’s turnover, location, claims history, and cover level. Premierline provides personalised quotes — never generic estimates. Most tied tenants I know save 15-30% compared to what their tied company quotes, but your actual price depends on your specific circumstances. Find the right business insurance cover by getting your own quote — it takes 5 minutes and is completely free.
Do I need employers’ liability insurance as a pub landlord?
If you have employees, yes — it’s legally required in the UK. If you operate alone, it’s still worth having because employment claims can happen unexpectedly and legal costs are high. Premierline can advise on the level of cover that suits your staffing model.
What happens if I claim on a Premierline policy?
Premierline brokers your quote, but your actual insurer handles claims. If you have a public liability claim, stock damage, or business interruption event, you’ll contact the insurer directly (Allianz, Aviva, Hiscox, etc.). Most respond quickly, but claims experience depends on the insurer you choose. Always review policy terms so you understand your excess and claim process before you buy.
What cover do I actually need as a tied pub tenant?
At minimum: public liability (legally expected and required by most tied agreements), stock cover (if you hold spirits, beer, wines, or any inventory), and contents cover (for equipment, furniture, tills). Employers’ liability is legally required if you have staff. Building insurance depends on whether you own or rent the premises. For guidance tailored to your specific operation, review the pub insurance guide UK before getting a Premierline quote so you’re not just ticking boxes blindly.
Can I change insurers every year with Premierline?
Yes. Each year at renewal, you can get fresh quotes from Premierline and shop around again. This is one of the big advantages of independent insurance over tied company insurance — you’re not locked in. If a competitor offers better cover at a lower price, you can move. No loyalty penalty, no hidden tie-in.
Final Verdict: Is Premierline Business Insurance Worth It?
For tied pub tenants specifically, yes — Premierline is worth using. Not because it’s flashy or corporate, but because it does one thing well: it helps you actually exercise your legal rights under the Pubs Code to source independent insurance.
I’ve used them for my own renewals at Teal Farm Pub in Washington, Tyne and Wear, and consistently found better rates than what my tied company quoted. More importantly, I know exactly what I’m paying for and why. There’s no hidden margin built in by the landlord, no forced bundle of covers I don’t need, no pressure to renew before I’ve shopped around.
The service is free, the quotes are fast, and the advisors understand pub operations — which matters. Generic brokers don’t grasp why a tied tenant’s insurance position is unique or what covers actually matter in a licensed premises business.
The one caveat: you still need to read your tied agreement. Some require landlord notification, some specify insurance requirements. Premierline will help you navigate that, but the legal framework is your responsibility. Once you’ve confirmed you have the right (and you do under the Pubs Code), Premierline makes the process straightforward.
Get a business insurance quote today and see what your insurance actually costs in the open market. Most tied tenants I know are surprised to find they’ve been overpaying by thousands per year. Five minutes of your time now could save thousands by your next renewal.
Built by Shaun McManus, licensee of Teal Farm Pub in Washington, Tyne and Wear. Pub Command Centre gives pub owners a single dashboard to track sales, staff costs, labour percentage, and gross profit in real time. Free to use, no spreadsheets required, set up in 30 minutes. — Pub Command Centre — Pub Management Tool