{"order":"DESC","pagination":{"page":0,"pages":0,"totalPosts":0},"post":null,"posts":[{"id":"69aab93e0e432100013343ef","title":"We Are Not Your Typical Business Insurance Company","slug":"we-are-not-your-typical-business-insurance-company","html":"

Not got time to read the full fat version, here is a summary:

• We only insure well-run, lower risk businesses.
• We use data to identify them in advance.
• That means fewer claims and stronger loss ratios.
• Fewer claims mean lower premiums to the right customers.
• We are backed by Accelerant, one of the world’s largest specialty insurers.
• We combine financial strength with UK-based service & claims handling.

For years, business insurance has followed the same pattern.

1. You answer a long list of questions on a big’ol form.
2. You wait for a quote.
3. Most are priced somewhere in the middle of a broad pool, good and bad alike.

We built Expression differently. We do not believe every business is the same risk. And we do not believe the best businesses should subsidise those who are a high risk.

We have a simple belief that good businesses make better risks. This idea lives at the heart of Expression: A well-run business is less likely to claim.

We love small independent businesses, they are the backbone of our communities and the UK economy. That is not just a marketing line. It is a measurable underwriting principle. We use traditional underwriting combined with alternative data, including public reviews and web presence, to assess the overall quality and conduct of a business. From that, we create what we call a Virtue Score.

This score helps us predict which businesses are lower risk and which are more likely to generate claims. We then remove the highest-risk segment from our target market before we ever send a quote.

In simple terms: We do not insure everyone. We insure the right businesses.

How Virtue-based pricing works in plain English.

We analyse the market in advance: We analyse entire groups of businesses within specific trades. For example, cafés, bakers, barbers, small hotels and independent retailers.
We identify the lower-risk groups: Using underwriting expertise and data signals, we remove the segment most likely to claim. Our early hypothesis was that roughly the bottom 20 percent of businesses generate a disproportionate share of claims. Our data now supports that.
We price before we market\" Because we have underwritten the market in advance, we can generate prices upfront for the businesses we want to insure.
We go direct: We contact selected businesses directly with a price. Not just an invitation to “get a quote”.
Fewer claims, better economics mean affordable prices for good businesses: Our business is made up of stronger risks, our loss ratios outperform market norms. That efficiency is what allows us to offer competitive premiums.

The outcome is simple and powerful: Lower losses mean we can offer lower prices to the right customers. And crucially, our customers are not subsidising poorly run competitors.

We are selective by design

Expression is not a volume insurer. We are a selective one.
We operate in specific trades and within clearly agreed underwriting appetites. We only work with businesses that meet our criteria for quality, compliance and operational standards.

That means we sometimes say no. But it also means that when we say yes, it is because we want that business in our portfolio.

We are strong supporters of independent high street businesses. We understand their reality because that is where we started.

Cafés navigating rising costs.Bakers managing early starts and tight margins. Hair and beauty businesses building loyal local followings. Small hotels and B&Bs balancing service and compliance.

We have developed deep expertise in these sectors and built products that reflect how they actually operate.

Backed by global strength

While we are agile and focused, we are not standing alone. Our policies are backed by Accelerant, one of the largest global specialty insurance platforms.

That means:
• Strong capital backing
• Robust governance
• Capacity from a global market

For our customers, it delivers peace of mind. You benefit from a specialist UK team and modern underwriting approach, supported by international financial strength.

Not just a good price

Price matters. We understand that. But we are not trying to be the cheapest at any cost.

We have invested in:
1. UK-based customer support
2. Dedicated claims handling
3. Clear documentation and straightforward communication

When something goes wrong, insurance stops being theoretical. It becomes practical and emotional. Having real people, based in the UK, who understand your policy and your trade, makes a difference.

Our customer ratings reflect that focus on service as much as price.
“Straightforward, clear and genuinely helpful. It felt like they actually understood our business.”– Café owner, Sussex

Why this model matters

Traditional insurance often pools together very different types of businesses and spreads the cost of claims across all of them. Our approach is different.

By removing the most claim-prone segment and concentrating on well-run businesses:
• We reduce overall claims.
• We build a stronger loss ratio. (The difference between the premiums we collect Vs what we pay out in claims)
• We create pricing for better businesses.

That is the advantage of virtue-based underwriting.

Are you a good independent business? See your quote by adding your company name and postcode here: https://expressioninsurance.co.uk/

","excerpt":"Not got time to read the full fat version, here is a summary:\n\n• We only insure well-run, lower risk businesses.\n• We use data to identify them in advance.\n• That means fewer claims and stronger loss ratios.\n• Fewer claims mean lower premiums to the right customers.\n• We are backed by Accelerant, one of the world’s largest specialty insurers.\n• We combine financial strength with UK-based service & claims handling.\n\nFor years, business insurance has followed the same pattern.\n\n1. You answer a lon","coverImage":"https://expression-test.ghost.io/content/images/2026/03/elena-ramseier-1xk8hMP-WHo-unsplash-1.jpg","publishedAt":"2026-03-07T13:19:44.000+00:00","tags":[],"author":{"name":"Chief Storyteller","profilePicture":"https://expression-test.ghost.io/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-10-at-10.48.03-1.png"},"ogImage":"","ogTitle":"","ogDescription":"","twitterImage":"","twitterTitle":"","twitterDescription":""},{"id":"63c27a70282fab003ddc99a7","title":"The rise of the pet pound on UKs High Streets","slug":"the-rise-of-the-pet-pound-on-uks-high-streets","html":"

As the saying goes “dogs are man’s best friend” and with an estimated 13 million dogs living in UK households, high street businesses up and down the country are throwing open their doors and welcoming customers and their four-legged friends. statista details “as of 2020, the United Kingdom was the second highest-ranking European country in terms of its dog population, preceded only by Germany”.

Not so long-ago high streets were filled with dogs tethered to railings outside of shops while their owners nipped in to quickly browse and buy, but with the rise in dog theft, most owners would never dream of leaving their ‘best friend’ unattended. In recent years the way we view our dogs as part of the family has deepened further, this coupled with higher security fears around our pooches has resulted in the rise of dog friendly cafes, shops, restaurants and bakeries, giving a well needed boost to the economy.

Detailed in Bighospitality “ Hospitality businesses that open their doors to dogs could increase revenues by 30 percent a year, so tapping into this market has it benefits”.

As google searches for ‘dog friendly shops’ soar, and pet parents spend more on their furry family members than ever before, as an owner of a high street business what steps can you take to make the most of this increasing trend?

Give your independent business dog-friendly curb appeal

Our four-legged friends can add something special to the shopping experience, a smile and conversation with a stranger and a more relaxed atmosphere. As shoppers enjoy a mooch with their pooch, small changes to your shop, café, restaurant, or bakery will help transform it into a welcoming doggie destination.

Tasty Tit-bits – you can go minimal with a doggie treat jar and free sausages at the till point, or as extra as you like with Pupcakes or healthy Pupsicles to cool the canines on a hot day

Hydration stations - water bowls, filled daily with fresh water, outside of high street businesses are a must no matter the weather. Not only the perfect way for dogs to keep well-watered but also shows shoppers you value them and their dog’s wellbeing

Pet friendly Merchandise – introducing or expanding pet friendly stock into your small business will appeal not only to your regular customers but also encourage new shoppers looking to spend their puppy pounds.

A wall of Fame dedicated to photos of your canine customers hanging out in your shop, café or restaurant mean you will never be stuck for social media content to share, who doesn’t like a photo of a dog!

Encouraging customers to take photos, share on their socials and tag otaging your business and location, all help to increase awareness of your dog friendly business on blogs, online communities, and apps such as bringfido.com

Spread the word, as shoppers recognise your local high street and business is dog-friendly, not only will they be encouraged to visit but they will also spread the word with family and friends, word of mouth marketing is a free and powerful tool “don’t take my word for it this is what our customers say”.

Table ordering apps such as hungrrr or orderyapp are great ways for customers to order, from their mobile phones, their light lunch or evening meal via a QR code without either pups or their pup parents having to leave their table and risk disturbing other diners

If expanding your stock offering it’s wise to review your current level of stock cover to safeguard against the risk of under insurance, here is where flexibility is key when planning your stock, ensuring you not only have the level of cover required for normal trading but also ample cover during your seasonal peak.

Expression Insurance include seasonal stock increase as standard. The sum insured, in respect of stock in trade, is increased each period of insurance by,

25% during the months of November and December

25% for a period of 15 days preceding and including any Bank or Public Holidays and for a period of 15 days thereafter other than occurring in point a)

Paws for thought

When opening your doors to our four-legged friends it is good to remember that dogs are not for everyone so consider the following handy hintsto keep staff and customers happy when visiting you shop café or restaurant.

Let’s Talk - Have a chat with your employees, give them the forum to raise any concerns they may have regarding fear, allergies and processes

Slips, trips & hygiene - Your small business is all about your customers, and as a good business owner you look to offer a clean, safe, well-kept, and managed establishment.

Public Liability provides protection by covering you if a customer or member of the public claims to have been injured or have their property damaged as a result of your business activities.

For example, if you provide a dog water bowl, you must make sure it is regularly checked and the area kept clean, dry and free from slipping hazards.

Having robust Public Liability reflects the care and attention you have for both customers and your business, and this cover would pay the damages, including claimant's costs and expenses, even the most innocuous seeming slip could lead to catastrophic injuries which are very costly, so having a good level of protection here is key for peace of mind. Expression Insurance packages start at £2m Public Liability, increasing to £5m Public Liability cover for medium and large policies.

All Businesses, especially cafes, restaurants and bakeries must follow stringent health & safety guidelines. Keeping dogs away from food prep areas is vital. Look to include dog hygiene protocols in your H&S / training policy for new and existing employees, for example washing their hands every time they touch a dog.

Keep rug cleaners and sprayson-hand should a “little accident” happen

Towels for wet fur and muddy paws, a little extra touch customers will love and saves on cleaning too!

Blankets and throws, not only protects your fixtures and fittings from our furry friends but creates a comfy atmosphere with customers staying longer if their dogs are settled and relaxed

Dogs welcome sign lets both regular shoppers to the high street and casual dog walkers know they are welcome to hang out with their pooch in your shop, café restaurant or bakery

Doggie behaviour, like children, dogs are not well behaved all the time and their behaviour can range from being playful, loud or even nervous around other pooches. Creating ‘dog rules’ visible on your website, in store and on your menus, will let customers know their pet pals are welcome but they must adhere to your dog ‘does & don’ts.’

In summary

The UK is a nation of animal lovers and by continuing to transform our high streets into a doggie destination of choice will continue to attract consumers keen to spend their canine cash.

But it’s not all down to independent business owners to make our high streets dog friendly it is also down to responsible dog owners making sure that all that they leave behind is little wet paw prints and not little messes.

A study on the Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interactions by National Institutes of Health “Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.” This coupled with the positive impact on high street spending makes for a winning formula for any small business, life really is better with dogs.

If you want to find out more about how Expression supports independent business owners who love their customers and love their business, visit www.expressioninsurance.co.uk

","excerpt":"As the saying goes “dogs are man’s best friend” and with an estimated 13 million\ndogs living in UK households, high street businesses up and down the country are\nthrowing open their doors and welcoming customers and their four-legged friends. \nstatista\n[https://www.statista.com/statistics/308235/estimated-pet-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/] \ndetails “as of 2020, the United Kingdom was the second highest-ranking European\ncountry in terms of its dog population, preceded only by Germany”.\n\nNot","coverImage":"https://expression-test.ghost.io/content/images/2023/01/dog-pic.jpg","publishedAt":"2025-08-11T09:52:00.000+00:00","tags":[],"author":{"name":"Expression","profilePicture":"https://expression-test.ghost.io/content/images/2022/05/expression_idea_01_instagram_avatar_v3_01.png"},"ogImage":"","ogTitle":"","ogDescription":"","twitterImage":"","twitterTitle":"","twitterDescription":""},{"id":"63f3a1b1381316003dc14647","title":"Protecting your glass shop frontage","slug":"protecting-your-glass-shop-frontage","html":"

First impressions, the almost-instant opinion we make when encountering something for the first time.

Your glass frontage is your first impression. A way of establishing your business on the high street, attracting customers, showcasing products, new menus, seasonal produce and as we all know, first impressions count.

Exposed daily to a variety of potential perils the impact of glass damage should never be underestimated. How can you protect one of the most effective marketing tools within your business.

Shutters or grilles - A robust and hardwearing solution not just as protection but as a visual deterrent to potential threats especially at night and during periods of closure such as holidays or refurbishment.

Signwriting and lettering - Eye catching and a great way to display your brand, but think carefully of images, circular imagery can act as a potential target to vandals. You want to attract the right attention not the wrong.

Outside housekeeping - Look for and remove objects such as rubbish, bottles, and bricks these can all be used to damage your windows or shop front. If the glass front on your small business is damaged, criminals may be tempted to add additional scratching leading to breakage of the glass.

Inside housekeeping - Regularly include the cleaning of glass and window frames, to not only avoid the build-up of dust and dirt but also bring to your attention small scratches, chips, or cracks, which when fixed early, prevents the risk of a more costly claim. Common signs to look out for are condensation and fogging.

Paint a masterpiece - Eliminate the “blank canvas” effect an exposed side wall may bring. The addition of artwork from a local “street artist” reduces the temptation of a lesser talented wanna-be vandalizing your property.

Heavy Troughs or concrete planters - when installed in front of your high street premises are effective at protecting your windows from the risk of “crash and smash” damage by vehicles.

Plants & shrubs – Tactical planting can make awkward hurdles for offenders looking to gain access and cause damage to your glass frontage.

Shop front lighting – Light installations provide visibility throughout your business decreasing the opportunity for crime. Motion activated lighting not only acts as an alert but also helps reduce energy costs.

Warning CCTV signage- This effective deterrent to thieves & vandals lets them know they are being watched and what the consequences of their actions will be.

Alarms and CCTV - If located on the outside of you shop alarms & CCTV are not only a visual deterrent but provide evidence when following up on a crime. The addition of Glass break sensors provides early alarm warnings if your glass is broken.

Strength in numbers - Talk regularly with neighbouring high street business owners and police, you can share ideas on preventing vandalism and crime or flag a particular group or a specific individual targeting high street windows. This sharing of intel will ensure, by working together, local businesses are prepared and vigilant.

Remove temptation - Ensure valuable items are out of sight when your business is closed with laptops, tablets, mobiles, and cameras stored safely away from prying eyes. Leave payment till draws visibly open signifying all cash has been safely banked away from the premises.

Prepare for mother nature - It’s not just accidents or malicious acts that cause damage to your shop front, the onslaught of the Great British weather brings with it its own perils. Storms, snow, and cold weather can cause water damage and cracks. Risks can be minimised by investing in robust weather resistant glass, after all your shop front is open to the elements 365 days each year.

Push or pull signs displayed on glass entrance doors reduce accidental damage caused by shoppers when entering your business. Make sure your doors open and close smoothly and keep entrances clear from obstructions. Include anti-slip mats and a place to store wet umbrellas, making sure the water does not pool in the entrance leading to a slip hazard.

What to do in the event of shop front glass damage

Important note, safety always comes first, be careful of broken glass and do not enter the premises if criminals might still be on the scene. Documenting evidence is helpful but not if it’s putting anyone at risk.

We at Expression are here when you need us, by following the below tips we hope that if the unthinkable happens it can be processed quickly getting you back on your feet and back to business.

Safely do what’s possible to prevent more loss/damage to property or goods.

Notify the police as soon as possible if the property has been damaged or items \tstolen, not doing so may result in a claim being rejected. A crime number will \t\tbe provided by the police for you to pass onto your insurance provider.

Providing documents showing evidence of goods purchased, (receipts) and \t\taccurate administration, including regular stock taking, is an important part \t\tof the claim process. Having these documents at your fingertips will save you \t\ttime, electronic copies for yourself and a trusted party will ensure these are \t\tavailable quickly and if required accessible in your absence.

Taking photos of a claim will provide clear details, saving valuable time coupled with accurate recall of the event even if you need to refer to it at a later date. Mobile phone or camera, whatever works best for you.

Make notes of time, dates, and witnesses, provide as much detail as possible.

Review your policy details, including excesses and exclusions, have this to hand and refer to while speaking with your claims team.

Keep damaged items until you have been notified you can dispose of them safely; your insurer may wish to examine and if required repair.

Contact your insurer as soon as possible to start the claims process either online or using the claims telephone number listed on your policy documents. They will require your personal details, policy number any details relating to the claim, crime number and supporting evidence (photos or damage reports).

It’s at this point the Expression Insurance claims team will take the strain, working with you to get your business back to normal as soon as possible, after all that’s what you are paying for!

A final word

Your shop window is one of your biggest assets and by taking a few measures your glass frontage will become less vulnerable to accidental damage, malicious damage, vandalism or general wear and tear, saving time and money, after all prevention is better than cure.

If you want to find out more about how Expression supports independent business owners who love their business visit www.expressioninsurance.co.uk

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Mark Twain famously quoted “ I can live for two months on a good compliment” and we believe that goes for us all if not longer.

In this modern world obsessed with ‘friends’, ‘sharing’ and ‘likes’ the importance of your happy customers spreading the word is a critical part of your business plan and customer reviews should be centre stage of your marketing strategy.

After all, customers are friends of your business and friends like sharing.

Why are customer reviews important?

Understanding how your customers feel about your business serves as an important benchmark, giving you the feedback to develop your customer experience and provide better products and services.

As detailed by feefo “translating your customer feedback into actionable insights will help increase sales, boost traffic and improve your brands reputation”.

Good customer reviews are also fundamental to successfully growing a business, raising your visibility with potential customers and influencing buying decisions.

According to Statista in 2021, many online shoppers in the United Kingdom (UK) considered what previous buyers had to say about products before purchasing the items themselves.

Approximately nine in ten UK consumers stated they would check online reviews before buying from a particular business. Even more shoppers said they often avoid enterprises with a rating lower than four.

How can you gain more of those all important reviews?

Asking your customers to leave positive reviews has a huge positive impact to your business and gaining reviews should be looked upon as a priority, but where to start in getting customers to spread the word?

1.\tAsk for reviews by email - “We’d love to hear your feedback!” “How did we do?” One of the most quick, simple and effective ways is to send an email containing a straightforward message and link to a page where they can leave a review. There are many affordable or free platforms you can use to request reviews. Ask for a Google review or use someone like Yotpo who also have a free review tool.

2.\tSMS requests - Did you know that 56% of all online reviews are posted from mobile devices? Todays ‘on the go’ culture has meant the power is literally in the hands of customers with the ability to communicate immediately via mobile devices, phones or tablets. Research shows that 90% of SMS messages are read within 3 minutes, whereas email typically has a 40 to 50% open rate.

3.\tHot off the press – An effective way of asking for reviews is at point of payment when your customers are at your till point, buying or have just bought your product or service. You can either ask if they would be happy to leave a review later or seize the opportunity and with the use of technology, hand them an iPad or tablet, so that they can fill out a short feedback form which can be published as an online review. Remember the best way to ask for a post purchase review is by bringing it up naturally in conversation.

4.\tWebsite landing page – If your business has a website, having a dedicated landing page for customers to leave reviews is a great way of collecting feedback.

5.\tInclude a slip with each purchase/order- A simple but effective approach to letting customers know you value their reviews is when bagging/boxing up their purchases slip a personal printed slip/card into their bag asking if they would leave a review.

What next, now you have your reviews how do you best use them?

Shout about It – Don’t be shy, if you have a business website consider using reviews on your homepage, let people see you are proud of your business and your valued customer reviews, after all we all like being liked and why not shout about it

Share The Love – Contact customers who have left a review, thanking them. You customer may also be part of the independent retail community and you can “Share The Love” by tagging their business via your social media channels. Include their business name and picture, not only is this a great way to say thank you but also increases credibility for the review

Display reviews off-line – Local press is still an effective way of publishing your small business to the local community and including customer reviews in an advert can help create customer awareness and increase footfall

Turn a negative into a positive – The ostrich syndrome will not make a bad review disappear. Facing it head on and not panicking is key. Answering the negative review quickly is important. Remember the road to success always has a few bumps to navigate and a negative review is an opportunity to shine and build an even stronger relationship with your customer than before

To summarise, any kind of customer reviews, good or bad have worth. Learn from the not so good ones to improve, and use the good ones (hopefully most of them) to increase brand awareness and sales

Important note

As you take time to plan your customer review programme, review The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) insight on making it illegal to incentivise reviews so offering a discount for positive reviews will be a fineable offence of up to 10% of the company’s global turnover. (It is already illegal in the US) https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/fake-and-misleading-online-reviews

“Do not offer a compliment and ask a favour at the same time. A compliment that is charged for is not valuable.” Notebook, 1902-1903 Mark Twain

If you want to find out more about how Expression supports independent business owners who love their business visit www.expressioninsurance.co.uk

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