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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Introduction
I’ve been operating Teal Farm Pub in Washington, Tyne and Wear under a Marston’s Community Retail Partnership for years, and one of the biggest financial wins I’ve had is understanding my legal rights around Star Pubs insurance options. Most tied tenants don’t realise they can opt out of their pubco’s insurance scheme entirely and find their own cover—and frankly, many landlords are paying hundreds of pounds more than they need to as a result.
When I discovered Premierline Business Insurance, it changed how I approach annual renewals. Instead of accepting whatever Star Pubs quoted me, I now compare pub insurance quotes UK from multiple insurers including Allianz, Aviva, Hiscox, and Zurich—and almost every year I find better terms and lower premiums.
This article is based on real licensed premises renewal experience, not estimates. I’ll walk you through how Premierline stacks up as your Star Pubs insurance alternative, which covers actually matter for pubs, and exactly how to leverage your Pubs Code rights to save money without losing the protection your business needs.
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.
What Is Premierline Business Insurance?
Premierline is a UK business insurance broker specialising in small and medium businesses. They don’t underwrite policies themselves—instead, they compare quotes from leading UK insurers including Allianz, Aviva, Hiscox, and Zurich. For pub operators, this is exactly what you need because it lets you see multiple options without spending hours calling around.
You can get a quote online in minutes or speak to an expert advisor. The platform is used by thousands of UK businesses including pubs, restaurants, shops, and tradesmen. For tied tenants managing their own pub insurance guide UK, Premierline removes the legwork of shopping around—and that efficiency translates to real savings on your premium.
As a licensee, you’ll typically be looking at combined public liability and property covers. Star Pubs’ standard quotes often bundle in services you don’t need or charge premiums that haven’t been competitive market-tested. Premierline shows you exactly what you’re paying for and whether better rates exist elsewhere.
Premierline Business Insurance Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compares multiple major insurers in one place — Instead of contacting Allianz, Aviva, Hiscox, and Zurich separately, Premierline pulls quotes from all of them. For a busy pub operator, this saves hours and ensures you’re not leaving money on the table.
- Fast online quote process — You can complete a quote in minutes without phone calls or lengthy applications. I’ve used the tool and been through the process in under 10 minutes. For time-pressed landlords, that’s a genuine advantage.
- Expert advisor support available — If you have specific questions about covers (like loss of licence insurance or accidental damage), you can speak to someone who understands licensed premises, not a generic call centre. This matters when you’re trying to work out whether a £200-a-year premium gap is worth different excess levels.
- Transparent pricing comparison — Each quote shows exactly what’s included, what excess you’re paying, and what’s optional. You’re not comparing vague product names—you’re seeing real terms side-by-side.
- Ideal for Pubs Code negotiations — Under the Pubs Code, tied tenants have the legal right to find their own insurance. Premierline’s quotes are perfect ammunition when you’re discussing better terms with your pubco or proving to them that you’ve found a competitive alternative.
- Covers the specific risks pubs face — Public liability, employers’ liability, property, stock, and stock contingency are all available. Premierline advisors understand licensed premises risk, not just generic shop insurance.
Cons
- Quotes can vary significantly based on your premises profile — A busy city-centre pub with high footfall and late licence hours will pay more than a quieter village local. Premierline can’t guarantee specific pricing, so you need to get your own quote. This isn’t really Premierline’s weakness—it’s just how pub insurance works—but it means you can’t use a competitor’s price as gospel.
- You’ll need to provide detailed information — To get an accurate quote, Premierline needs to know your annual turnover, square footage, type of alcohol licence, opening hours, and claims history. If you’re disorganised with your business records, this step takes longer. But honestly, you should be tracking this information anyway.
- Not all insurers will cover all pub types — A high-risk venue with very late licence hours or a history of claims might find fewer options on Premierline than a standard pub. In that case, specialist brokers might offer better solutions, but Premierline’s comparison tool still gives you the fairest view of what’s available at competitive rates.
Premierline Business Insurance vs Star Pubs: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Premierline Business Insurance | Star Pubs Standard Scheme | Direct Broker Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of insurers compared | 4+ (Allianz, Aviva, Hiscox, Zurich) | 1 (pubco-selected insurer) | 1 (your chosen broker) |
| Time to quote | 5–10 minutes online | Usually included in tenancy pack | 24–48 hours via email/phone |
| Transparency on pricing | Side-by-side comparison, all covers visible | Single option, fixed terms | Single quote, may require phone calls for clarification |
| Expert support for pubs | Yes, licensed premises specialists available | Support via pubco (often limited) | Depends on broker |
| Pubs Code compliant | Fully compliant—designed for independence | Yes, but tied to pubco choice | Yes, fully independent |
| Cost (typical pub) | Competitive, often £300–800 per year lower | Often 10–30% premium for convenience | Varies, often similar to Premierline |
| Claims support | Insurer-dependent (shown in quote) | Pubco-managed claims process | Direct with chosen insurer |
The critical difference: Star Pubs’ insurance scheme offers convenience—it’s built into your tenancy. But that convenience comes at a cost. You’re paying for someone else to have already chosen your insurer, and in competitive markets, that’s rarely the cheapest option. Premierline lets you keep the convenience (it’s still online, still fast) while reclaiming the discount.
Who Is Premierline Business Insurance Best For?
- Tied tenants under the Pubs Code — If you’re a tied licensee operating under a Marston’s CRP agreement, Wetherspoon franchise, or similar pubco model, you have the legal right to find your own insurance. Premierline exists for exactly this situation. You can use competitive quotes as leverage in negotiations or simply switch to better terms without permission.
- Pub operators looking to cut insurance costs — If your last renewal quote shocked you, Premierline shows you what you should actually be paying. Many landlords discover their current insurer has drifted 20–40% above market rates simply because they never compared.
- Freehouse operators wanting speed and choice — You’re independent anyway, so you might as well use a tool that saves you time. Comparing Allianz, Aviva, Hiscox, and Zurich separately takes hours. Premierline does it in minutes.
- Pub owners with changing risk profiles — If you’ve extended your terrace, added live music, or changed your licence conditions, your insurance needs have shifted. Premierline lets you quickly test new quotes to see if the extra cover is worth the cost.
- Multi-site operators — If you run more than one venue, getting separate quotes for each location is time-consuming. Premierline’s process scales much better than ringing round brokers individually.
- Landlords new to the industry — If you’ve recently taken on a pub (maybe your first licensed premises), you might not know what covers you actually need. Find the right business insurance cover by speaking to Premierline’s advisors, who can explain what matters and what’s optional for your specific operation.
How to Get Started with Premierline Business Insurance
- Create your free account: Go to Compare quotes from leading UK insurers and create your free account. No credit card is required at this stage.
- Enter your pub details: You’ll need your annual turnover, premises square footage, type of licence (on-license, off-license, etc.), opening hours, and number of employees. Have your last year’s accounts and your current insurance policy to hand—they speed up the process.
- Select your covers: Premierline will suggest covers based on your pub type (public liability, employers’ liability, property, stock, business interruption, etc.). You can accept the defaults or customise based on your specific needs.
- Review quotes: Within minutes, you’ll see quotes from multiple insurers. Compare excess levels, premium costs, and specific exclusions. Don’t just pick the cheapest—check what’s actually included.
- Get expert advice (optional but recommended): If any quote confuses you or you want to discuss loss of licence cover or claims history issues, call their advisor team. This is where Premierline’s value really shows—you’re not stuck with a quote form, you can actually talk to someone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Premierline Business Insurance
Can I use Premierline if I’m a tied tenant under Star Pubs?
Yes—absolutely. Under the Pubs Code, you have a legal right to find your own insurance provider. Your pubco cannot force you to use their scheme. Get your free insurance quote now through Premierline and use it as evidence that better rates exist. Many tied tenants save £300–600 per year by switching.
Will Premierline’s prices apply to my specific pub?
No. Insurance premiums are highly individualised based on your premises, turnover, location, claims history, and risk profile. The quotes you see on Premierline are personalised to the information you provide, but they won’t be the same as another pub’s quotes. Always get a personalised quote for your own operation. Your premium might be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances.
What covers does a typical pub actually need?
As a licensee, you legally need employers’ liability if you have staff. Public liability is essential—your biggest exposure is customer injury claims. Property insurance covers your fixtures, fittings, and stock. Business interruption and stock contingency are optional but valuable if your pub relies on trading during specific events (summer terrace season, for example). Get your free insurance quote now and Premierline’s advisors can explain which covers matter most for your specific operation.
How quickly can I switch from Star Pubs insurance to Premierline?
Once you’ve received a quote and decided to purchase a policy, the new insurer will typically issue documents within 1–2 working days. You can arrange for your new policy to start on your renewal date (so there’s no gap) or switch immediately if you prefer. Check your current policy’s cancellation terms—some have penalties for early exit, though most tied schemes allow switches under the Pubs Code.
Is there a cost to using Premierline to get quotes?
No. Getting quotes through Premierline is completely free. You only pay if you decide to purchase one of the insurance policies they’ve quoted. If you get a quote and decide your current Star Pubs cover is competitive enough, you’ve lost nothing and gained the confidence that you’ve checked the market.
What happens if I have a claims history? Will Premierline still quote me?
Yes. Premierline compares quotes from multiple insurers, so even if you have previous claims, you’ll see which insurers will still cover you and at what price. Your premium will reflect your claims history, but having options means you can see the full market picture rather than accepting whatever Star Pubs offers you by default.
Final Verdict: Is Premierline Business Insurance Worth It?
Absolutely—especially if you’re a tied tenant currently using Star Pubs insurance or a freehouse operator who’s been with the same insurer for years without checking the market.
Premierline wins because it combines three things: speed (quotes in minutes, not days), transparency (you see exactly what you’re paying for), and choice (multiple insurers, not a single default option). For a pub operator, those three factors almost always result in a lower premium, better cover, or both.
The only real downside is that you need to spend 10 minutes entering your pub’s details. That’s a small investment for potentially £300–600 in annual savings. Over five years, that’s £1,500–3,000 back in your pocket.
I’ve been using Premierline since I realised my Pubs Code rights as a Marston’s licensee, and it’s become part of my annual renewal routine. My advice: Compare quotes from leading UK insurers today. Get your personalised quote, see what’s available, and then make a decision based on your actual market options—not on the default scheme your pubco included in your tenancy agreement.
Your insurance budget is one of the few areas where tied tenants have genuine freedom. Use it.
Built by Shaun McManus, licensee of Teal Farm Pub in Washington, Tyne and Wear. Pub Command Centre free tool 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. All tools and guides published on SmartPubTools are tested live at Teal Farm before release.
A live working example is this pub management tool used daily at Teal Farm Pub — labour 15% vs the UK industry average of 25–30%.