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Hiscox Business Interruption: presentation, guarantees and limits in 2026
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Hiscox Perte d'Exploitation is a business insurance policy designed to compensate for lost sales and cover fixed costs in the event of business interruption due to an insured loss. This offer falls into the pro insurance category, and is aimed at very small businesses, SMEs and the self-employed exposed to the risk of business interruption. This page details the main coverages, available options, contractual limits, underwriting procedures and offers a functional comparison with other solutions on the market.
Feedback on Hiscox Business Interruption
Common use among policyholders: compensation for loss of earnings after material or non-material damage leading to partial or total closure. Frequently used to restore cash flow, pay rent and maintain salaries during the shutdown period. Identified strong point: rapid loss assessment in standard files, facilitating faster restarting of business for structures with documented procedures.
Performance contexts: profiles with clear accounting and formalized loss management procedures, single-site businesses subject to physical risks (fire, water damage), service firms with direct loss of revenue. Also relevant for activities requiring indemnification based on established balance sheets or sales forecasts.
Limits and irritants noted: exclusion clauses on certain risks (pandemic, voluntary risks), deductibles and waiting periods vary according to formula, and precise accounting supporting documents are required to speed up processing. Management of complex claims is sometimes lengthened in cases of indirect costing or disagreement over the scope of losses covered.
.When should I subscribe to Hiscox Business Interruption?
This insurance meets the need for cash flow protection when business is interrupted following a loss covered by the policy. Main purposes: to compensate for loss of sales, cover fixed expenses (rent, salaries, contracts) and enable continuity or gradual resumption of operations after repair or restoration of premises and equipment.
Profiles of insured for whom the offer is adapted: VSEs or SMEs with a single site with exposure to material risks, craftsmen dependent on a workshop or stock, consultancies or liberal professions whose invoicing is directly linked to reception capacity, and operators of events or venues receiving the public. Typical use by profile: compensation for lost sales for a business following a fire, coverage for rent and salaries for a law firm following water damage.
Highlight of suitability: coverage adapted to the actual calculation of business interruption based on accounting elements, making the offer particularly relevant for companies with structured, documented balance sheets and operating accounts.
Hiscox Business Interruption underwriting and management facility
Positioning for first-time buyers: moderate level of complexity. Subscription possible after provision of basic financial information (sales, payroll, simplified balance sheet) and description of premises and activities. Certain eligibility conditions may apply, depending on the business sector and the age of the company. Careful reading of exclusions and deductibles recommended before signing.
Elements facilitating underwriting and management:
- online quotation or via broker for an initial rate estimate
- online customer space for contract and document management
- possibility of contact by phone or e-mail with specialized advisors
- guided claims declaration procedures and standardized forms
- technical support for initial loss assessment
Hiscox Business Interruption rates and packages
Basic package - Approximate cost: €80/month for small businesses with limited coverage. Main guarantees: compensation for loss of earnings based on declared sales, partial coverage of fixed costs, standard deductible and waiting period. Profiles concerned: micro-businesses, low-sales businesses and self-employed professionals with limited exposure.
Intermediate formula - Approximate rate: €120 to €250/month depending on level of cover and business sector. Main guarantees: broader compensation of sales, extended coverage of fixed costs, claims management assistance, higher compensation ceilings per employee. Profiles concerned: multi-employee SMEs, medium-sized businesses, workshops with significant stock.
Tailor-made / high protection formula - Price guide: from €300/month for high coverage and options included. Key features: tailor-made coverage for indirect losses, integration of specific options (business interruption linked to critical suppliers, purchase of deductibles), higher ceilings and contractually guaranteed recovery times. Profiles concerned: companies exposed to major operational risks, industrial customers or service providers with high customer dependency.
Key Hiscox Business Interruption coverages
Primary coverage: compensation for business interruption. Role: to compensate for loss of earnings resulting from business interruption following an insured loss. General operation: calculation based on previous sales and fixed costs, compensation period limited by a time and financial ceiling. Common coverages:
- loss of sales
- fixed charges (rent, salaries, subcontracting contracts)
- compensation period defined contractually
Second key coverage: assumption of additional and emergency costs required to reduce the interruption. Role: to finance temporary measures designed to limit the drop in activity (rental of temporary premises, purchase of replacement equipment, communication). Operation: reimbursement based on receipts, up to an insured ceiling.
Optional and complementary cover: extensions designed to meet specific needs. Common examples: coverage of losses linked to the unavailability of a critical supplier (contingent business interruption), deductible buyback, cyber coverage in connection with an interruption due to an attack, legal protection linked to post-loss litigation, operational assistance for business recovery.
Interesting options according to profiles:
- companies heavily dependent on a single supplier: contingent business interruption option
- structures with cyber risk: cyber/IT interruption extension
- seasonal activities: indemnity period extension option
- companies with high expenses: deductible buy-back to reduce initial financial effort
Ce que Hiscox Perte d’Exploitation ne couvre pas
Exclusions and contractual limits: claims not covered such as intentional damage, loss due to a pandemic if provided for in the exclusion, obvious lack of maintenance, risks not declared at the time of underwriting. Reimbursement ceilings and waiting periods may limit effectiveness in the event of prolonged downtime. Some formulas exclude indirect losses or impose high deductibles on indemnified amounts.
Alternative or complementary insurance to consider: multi-risk professional insurance to cover material damage not covered, specific cyber cover for interruptions linked to computer attacks, professional liability insurance for third-party litigation and recourse. These solutions can fill gaps not covered by business interruption alone.
Main compromises to accept: need for rigorous accounting documentation to justify losses, acceptance of deductibles and ceilings limiting certain indemnities, and choice of paid options to cover specific risks not included as standard.
FAQS
Is it reliable and secure?
Fiability and compliance: Hiscox operates in France under regulatory approval and falls under the European prudential framework (Solvency II Directive). Compliance checks available via ACPR Banque de France. Data protection compliant with RGPD requirements and internal information security procedures in place.
- Hiscox's long history and international presence
- compliance with solvency and reporting rules
- data protection in accordance with RGPD
Is it compatible with my other tools?
Subscription methods: subscription possible online, by telephone, via broker or by appointment with an advisor in branch, depending on local channels. Compatibility with other contracts: can often be combined with multi-risk professional insurance, professional liability coverage and cyber contracts. Conditions of access and eligibility restrictions may exist for certain high-risk sectors.
- online underwriting and customer area
- possibility of going through a broker
- compatibility with professional multi-risk and professional liability
Is there responsive customer support?
Customer service and claims management: standard contact channels (telephone, e-mail, customer area). Hours and languages available vary according to local branch. Processing times announced or observed: rapid processing for standard claims, but longer times for complex claims requiring expertise and detailed accounting justification. Level of support: access to specialized advisors and, depending on the formula, the possibility of a dedicated contact person.
- contact by phone and e-mail
- online customer space for tracking files
- technical assistance and claims expertise
What do other users think?
Summary of policyholder feedback: recurring positive trends and criticisms observed. Positive points: responsiveness on simple cases, clarity of general conditions on direct losses, quality of support for repairs. Frequent criticisms: complexity of supporting documents requested, appraisal times for complex cases and exclusions perceived as restrictive.
- Positive points: responsiveness, support, clarity on direct losses
- Negative points: demanding supporting documents, appraisal times, exclusions
Can I easily change later?
Cancellation and change of insurer: rights and terms vary according to the nature of the contract (professional versus private). For some contracts, legal mechanisms such as the Châtel law and infra-annual termination may apply; for professional contracts, specific contractual conditions and notice periods must be checked in the general conditions. Right to annual termination possible according to contractual clause.
Relevant alternatives according to needs:
- complement with professional comprehensive for material risks
- take out dedicated cyber cover for IT risks
- opt for bespoke cover via broker for complex risks
Alternatives
Specializing in business creation, sales and digital marketing, he puts his expertise at the service of users to help them identify the solutions best suited to their needs. Passionate about digital innovation and optimizing online performance, Alexis is committed to providing detailed, transparent and unbiased comparisons.
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