Caunce O'Hara

Caunce O'Hara: business insurance for freelancers and contractors across the UK

Caunce O'Hara & Company Limited is an insurance intermediary focused on the self-employed and small business sector in the United Kingdom. The company states that it has provided business insurance protection to freelancers and contractors since 1995 and that more than 23,000 contractors, freelancers and small businesses are insured with it. It presents itself as a division of Markel International, a Lloyd's market insurer that underwrites most of its business insurance policies, and Markel Group Inc. is described as the ultimate holding company.

The firm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference number 306183) and is registered in England & Wales under company number 03676983. Its registered office is at 20 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3AZ, while the principal place of business is 82 King Street, Manchester, M2 4WQ.

Insurance products offered

The catalogue of cover is organised around the risks typically faced by independent professionals and small firms. The products listed are:

• Professional Indemnity Insurance, aimed at claims of alleged negligence in professional services, advice and designs.
• Public Liability Insurance, covering injury to third parties or damage to third-party property.
• Employers' Liability Insurance, described as a legal requirement for anyone employing staff and covering employee injuries at work.
• Legal Expenses and Tax Investigation Insurance, for contract disputes, tax investigations, court attendance and debt recovery.
• Personal Accident Insurance, covering work injuries, illnesses caused by work and compensation awards.
• Commercial Crime Cover, for losses from fraud, dishonesty, theft, bribery, forgery and loss investigations.
• Cyber Insurance, for malicious attacks on computer systems and data.
• Directors and Officers Insurance, protecting personal assets where a claim may arise from business actions.

Professions covered

Cover is structured by profession rather than as a single generic policy. The site lists accountants, construction contractors, creative and marketing professionals, engineers, finance professionals, health and safety professionals, health and wellbeing practitioners, IT contractors, legal professionals, management consultants, offshore energy contractors, photographers, property professionals, rail contractors, recruiters, small businesses, social workers, teachers and tutors, and tradespeople. The company says its understanding of the freelance sector allows it to tailor products to the needs of these groups.

Customer ratings and reviews

The site reports a Feefo service rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on more than 4,600 clients, and elsewhere cites 4.7 out of 5 from over 3,500 reviews on Feefo.com. Selected customer comments published on the page refer to long-standing relationships, value for money on combined public liability, professional indemnity and employers' liability cover, and straightforward renewals. These are individual testimonials rather than a general assessment.

Resources and policy administration

Alongside the insurance products, the company maintains a blog on business insurance, a knowledge centre explaining policy types and their differences, and an IR35 Hub with guides and news for contractors and engagers. Policyholders access their accounts through separate login portals depending on whether the policy was purchased or first started before or after 26 February 2025. The site also offers a call-back request, a claims section, a partner area and referral schemes for clients and tradespeople.