R&D Insurance for Start-ups and Spin-offs
To reassure your investors
R&D Insurance for Start-ups and Spin-offs
Tech start-up? University spin-out? Or just bubbling over with an early-stage business idea? If you’re seeking investment, your investors will insist on insurance. But a shortage of willing insurers makes it hard to get insured. We know exactly who to ask and how to get a quote quickly. So you can reassure your investors and get back to your big idea.
What is Research and Development Insurance?
R&D Insurance isn’t a formally recognised class of insurance, which is why it can be hard to source. It’s an insurance intended for early-stage companies that are researching and developing an idea before morphing it into a business.
You might be developing a life science product, a cutting-edge piece of technology or a brand new construction material. Maybe you’re working with a business consultant who’s helping you turn your idea into a fully-formed business. Even though you’re not generating revenue just yet, your VCs or angel investors will want to protect their money.
“Understanding the risks and concerns of underwriters is critical to securing R&D insurance. We had a client who was refused insurance due to insolvency, but we secured insurance because we knew what questions to ask and we had a relationship with the underwriter.”
– Tony Gibbs, R&D Insurance Specialist
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Reassure your investors
Talk to Tony about early stage R&D Insurance
- Reading 0118 916 5480
- Marlow 01628 532 613
How R&D Insurance protects you
In the very early stages of a venture, you don’t need the same level of insurance as an established business. So R&D insurance is essentially a scaled-down version of commercial combined insurance.
We’ll ask you the right questions to properly understand your risks. We’ll even consider things you might not have thought about, like what happens to cells in a lab if a freezer breaks down, or the implications of a cyber-attack on your unpublished research.
Research and Development Insurance covers:
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Legal expenses
Protect your business and investors from legal action, including liability claims from third party customers, suppliers or employees.
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Product liability
Cover for products that fail to carry out their intended function.
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Employer’s liability
Particularly important if you have more than one director or employee.
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Professional indemnity
Protection against claims for financial loss or damage as a result of negligent advice.
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Physical assets
Cover for the loss or damage to your stock, equipment or IT kit.
Top tips for Research and Development Insurance
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To be eligible for R&D insurance, your business has to be pre-revenue. Which simply means in the very early stages of business and not yet generating revenue.
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As your business grows and succeeds, your insurance requirements will change. If you’re a start-up generating revenue, you may need Commercial Combined Insurance instead.
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R&D insurance tends to be pre-priced. So as long as you meet the acceptance criteria, you’ll pay the price quoted on the application form.
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If you don’t meet the acceptance criteria for R&D insurance, don’t panic. We have relationships with specialist R&D underwriters so we always try to come to a mutual arrangement.
Applying for R&D insurance is a straightforward process if you know what questions to ask and which insurers to approach.
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Need to reassure your investors?
Ask Tony about R&D Insurance for your start-up or spin-off
- Reading 0118 916 5480
- Marlow 01628 532 613
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