Issue #113 - Another Insurance Issue 🔐
Storms are pushing up insurance payouts 💰 | What insurance do you need for your small business? 🔐 | The best places in the UK for a pint 🍻 | Bionic has Taquero covered 🌮 | Words | Tunes | More
GO 🦾
Blame it on the weather, man 🌧️
Welcome to Issue #113 of The Backbone - the fortnightly newsletter from Bionic.
Insurance payouts for property damage rose by 7% between Q1 (January through March) and Q2 (April through June) - up from £1.5 billion to £1.6 billion, according to figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Weather-related claims alone accounted for an eye-watering £332 million.
Domestic claims for damage caused by storms, rainfall, and frozen pipes accounted for about two-thirds (£198 million) of the total amount, with business claims making up the remaining £124 million.
The average property claim was £6,200 for households and £17,400 for businesses.
When looking at the figures, we were surprised that more weather-related claims weren’t made during the winter months.
But we’ve long since given up on anything being as we expect in the 2025 version of the UK. It seems that the wetter springs we’re experiencing are causing most problems, with flooding and storm damage being particularly disruptive and distressing.
So, what does this mean for you and your insurance policy? If you’ve made a claim, there’s a good chance the cost of your cover will increase. This is pretty standard.
But what if you’ve not claimed? Inflation is back on the rise in the UK (prices went up by 3.6% in the 12 months to June, driven by increases in the cost of food and fuel), so you’d be forgiven for expecting the worst when your insurance is due for renewal.
But it seems that’s not been the case so far this year. Premium prices fell in Q2, as outlined on the ABI website:
“The annual average price of combined building and contents home insurance in Q2 2025 was £391, £2 lower than the previous quarter, but £1 more compared to the same period in 2024.
The average price of buildings-only insurance was also down £1 on the previous quarter to £321, but £4 higher compared to the same period in 2024.
The average price of contents-only insurance in Q2 2025 dropped £2 to £129 compared to the previous quarter and was £7 lower than the average price paid in Q2 2024. “
We can’t predict where premium prices are headed, but if your business insurance is coming up for renewal, now might be a good time to sort it - who knows what Q3 (July through September) has in store?
And it looks like we’re in for more wet weather over the weekend, so here are some tips to help you get ready for a potentially rainy autumn and get ready for the worst the season can throw at you - How to prepare your business for storms, floods and bad weather ⛈️
🦾 Bionic has been nominated – SIX times!
In other news, the Bionic business insurance team has been shortlisted as a finalist for two awards across six categories. We don’t want to blow our own trumpets (we will anyway), but our website experience and friendly brokers do make a difference to our customers – and now we’re being recognised for it!
The winners are announced in September – our fingers are crossed 🤞
We’ll be sure to dust off the trumpets and blow them even louder if we win 🎺
🙌 COMMUNITY
Join our community of small business superheroes 🦸♀️
Small business owners are the superheroes of the high street. But small business owners rarely get their voices heard. Now there’s a place to chat, share advice and help each other through the lows and highs of running a business. To get involved, scan or click the QR code above or click the button below to sign up.
🗞 READ
What insurance do you need for your small business? 🔐
Did you know that 80% of UK small businesses could be underinsured? And that's not just because business owners aren’t on top of it - trying to work out what business insurance you need can be really difficult!
Our guide cuts through the generic advice and template solutions that can leave you completely confused. We explain how to identify your real risks, avoid coverage gaps that could lead to rejected claims, and get protection in place that could help when you need it.
Brewdex - The best places in the UK for a pint 🍻
Where are the best places for a pint in the UK? Did you know there are more than 45,000 pubs open across the UK? It seems Brits love nothing more than a visit to their local.
At a time when a single bad review can make or break a business, reputation is more important than ever, especially where the pub and hospitality industry is concerned.
With this in mind, we have analysed key factors, including the number of pubs, breweries and their reviews, as well as how much a pint is in major UK towns and cities, to uncover the best places in the UK for a pint.
So, where is the best spot in the UK for a drink, and what is the UK’s favourite alcoholic beverage?
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🗣 SHOUTOUT
#BionicBusinessStory - Bionic has Taquero covered 🌮
A few months ago, we caught up with a winner of our insurance giveaway to find out what it’s like sorting insurance with Bionic. Here’s what Dan Lindsay, owner of Taquero in Nottingham, had to say.
Bionic: How does it feel to win free insurance for a year?
Dan Lindsay: “It was quite a shock! When I initially got the email, I thought, ‘Is this some kind of spam email?’ You get those quite regularly when you’re in business.
“Then I read more into it and realised it was real. It was a really amazing surprise. So often we’re being told about increased costs and so on, so it was nice to be told we’re getting something back!”
B: Why did you choose Bionic to help sort your business insurance?
DL: “I did use brokers prior. We found you guys through originally doing our energy with you. Looked at the insurance side of it and we’ve dealt with some really professional people. And saved money!
“I never really thought to try anyone else – you’re using a broker, and you think you’re getting the best opportunities and the best prices. We just explored it and saved a small fortune.”
B: How do you find the experience of arranging business insurance through Bionic?
DL: “We have different policies for all three sites, all with different renewal dates. Bionic makes the renewal process really simple by getting in touch with me when each is due. We go through the details, and it’s all sorted for another year.
“And call me old school, but the human element is really important when sorting my insurance. I like to be able to speak to someone to get the reassurance that everything is correct and in order.”
If you’d like the chance to be like Dan and win your insurance free for a year, simply sort your insurance through Bionic before October 31, and you’ll be entered into the draw. (T&Cs apply).
📊 BUSINESS
Get your business costs sorted 💷
Bionic is the comparison site for your small business. We compare a range of business essentials to help you save time, money, and hassle.
Our tech-enabled team will answer all your questions in simple terms and help you find the best deal on business energy, insurance, phone, broadband, or finance. No jargon. No-fuss. #BeABionicBusiness 🦾
🎧 LISTEN
Playlist 🎶
This week’s playlist comes from Kelly, Senior Marketing Manager at Bionic. Afro House Sunset Mix is perfect for those lazy summer evenings that go on well into the night. If you’re on holiday, as the playlist blurb says, these “deep, melodic, and groovy Afro House vibes with hypnotic rhythms and tribal beats are perfect for sunsets, beach chill, or getting lost in the music”. If not, you can, as Kelly says, “pretend you're young and cool and on a beach somewhere but you're not”
Podcast 🎙
The Lionesses have just won a historic second Euros on the spin, the Football League kicks off THIS WEEKEND (Luton host AFC Wimbledon tonight!), and a new football podcast has just dropped. Route One gives you stories, analysis, and stats in bite-sized 15-minute episodes. It’s Football. Fast. No Faff - the best way to do it, in our opinion.
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🚫 STOP
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