Home Insurance for Childminders: Which Insurers Offer Cover Without Charging Extra?

Finding affordable home insurance for childminders can be surprisingly difficult. Some insurers won’t cover you if you run a childminding business from home, while others may charge extra.

But there is some good news. Direct Line, Churchill, Privilege and Tesco are four mainstream home insurers whose policy wording specifically allows for childminding.

When my wife started childminding, I discovered that finding suitable home insurance wasn’t nearly as straightforward as it had been before. After years of comparing policies and speaking to insurers, I’ve found that you don’t necessarily need expensive specialist home insurance.

Here’s which companies are worth trying, what their policies say about childminding and how to avoid paying more than you need to.

Which home insurance companies cover childminders?

If you’re looking for home insurance that accepts childminding, these are the four insurers I’d check first.

The important thing is that these companies don’t automatically treat ordinary childminding in the same way as other businesses operating from home.

However, accepting childminding doesn’t guarantee the cheapest premium, and it doesn’t mean every type of childminding-related damage is covered.

You should also check whether any restrictions apply if you employ assistants.

Why is home insurance difficult for childminders?

Before my wife started childminding, buying home insurance was easy.

I’d put our details into a comparison site, choose a reasonably priced policy and renew it every year.

But once we started running a childminding business from home, things became more complicated.

Some insurance companies class childminding as business use, which can mean higher premiums or even being refused cover.

Insurers may be concerned about the additional risk of accidents, damage to household belongings and more people regularly visiting the property.

I’ve always found this slightly frustrating.

In my experience, there’s often more chaos when friends and family visit than when a couple of toddlers are playing in the living room.

And because registered childminders already need public liability insurance, it can feel unfair to pay more for home insurance as well.

Fortunately, not every insurer takes the same approach.

Direct Line home insurance for childminders

Direct Line has been my first choice for home insurance since my wife started childminding.

When I originally investigated our options, I discovered that Direct Line didn’t automatically class childminding as business use.

I even phoned to double-check, and the person I spoke to explained that minded children were treated similarly to our own children for the relevant household cover.

That made things much easier.

And importantly, we weren’t charged an additional premium specifically because my wife was a childminder.

What does Direct Line’s policy say?

Direct Line’s home insurance policy booklet specifically excludes childminding from the types of business use that must be reported as a change in circumstances.

The relevant wording says:

“We don’t count paperwork, telephone calls, child minding and computer work.”

You can check this in the Direct Line home insurance policy booklet, under the section about telling the insurer about changes.

This is useful evidence that childminding is accepted under its normal home insurance arrangements.

However, the wording doesn’t guarantee that all childminding equipment or accidental damage caused by minded children will be covered.

It’s still worth checking your individual policy.

Churchill home insurance for childminders

Churchill is another mainstream insurer worth considering.

Like Direct Line, Churchill has historically been part of Direct Line Group, with policies underwritten by U K Insurance Limited.

Although the brands have shared an underwriter, their premiums and policy conditions can differ.

What does Churchill say about childminding?

Churchill’s own home insurance eligibility page states that the property:

“Is not used for business purposes other than paperwork, telephone calls, child minding and computer work.”

This is particularly helpful because it specifically names childminding as an acceptable activity.

You can read the wording on the Churchill home insurance eligibility page.

It means that ordinary childminding isn’t automatically excluded by Churchill’s business-use eligibility condition.

However, this doesn’t guarantee that every childminder will receive the same price or that business equipment is covered.

I’d recommend getting quotes from both Churchill and Direct Line before renewing.

Privilege home insurance for childminders

Privilege is another insurer that specifically mentions childminding in its home insurance terms.

This is useful because it provides more than just anecdotal evidence from other childminders.

What does Privilege’s policy say?

In its September 2025 home insurance policy booklet, under the section about telling the insurer about changes, Privilege explains that customers must report certain changes in how their property is used.

However, childminding is specifically excluded from the business-use notification requirement.

The relevant wording states:

“We don’t count paperwork, telephone calls, child minding and computer work.”

You can read the Privilege home insurance policy booklet.

This suggests that childminding is acceptable under its standard household insurance arrangements.

I’ve also come across a discussion on MoneySavingExpert where a registered childminder reported contacting Privilege and being told that standard home insurance was suitable.

Of course, that doesn’t guarantee everyone will receive the same terms.

But with childminding specifically mentioned in its policy booklet, Privilege is certainly worth adding to your comparison list.

Tesco home insurance for childminders

Tesco is another company worth checking, and its wording is particularly clear.

Its home insurance website specifically confirms that certain types of work can be carried out from home without needing to notify the insurer.

This includes childminding.

What does Tesco say?

According to Tesco Insurance’s website, you don’t need to tell the company about administrative, clerical or childminding work carried out at home, provided there are no additional employees.

This is confirmed in its guide to reviewing your home insurance.

Tesco also lists childminding as an exception to its normal business-use notification requirements in its home insurance FAQs.

You can check the Tesco Insurance home insurance FAQs.

This makes Tesco one of the clearest mainstream options for childminders who work alone.

However, if you employ an assistant, you should contact Tesco before buying because the standard exception may not apply.

And while Tesco’s wording means qualifying childminding doesn’t trigger the normal business-use notification requirement, it doesn’t guarantee that every policy will cost the same.

Do childminders need special home insurance?

No, not necessarily.

If your existing home insurer accepts childminding and provides suitable buildings and contents cover, you may not need a specialist home insurance policy.

However, you do need to make sure your policy is appropriate for how you use your home.

For example, you should check whether it covers:

• Accidental damage caused by minded children
• Your normal household belongings
• Toys, highchairs and other childminding equipment
• Outdoor play equipment
• Any rooms or outbuildings used for childminding

Some standard home insurance policies exclude business equipment or damage caused during business activities.

This is where specialist insurance may provide additional protection.

Also, don’t confuse home insurance with public liability insurance. They’re different products covering different risks.

What insurance does a childminder need?

If you’re a registered childminder in England, you need appropriate public liability insurance.

You should also consider buildings and contents insurance, particularly if you’re a homeowner.

Here’s how the main types of insurance differ.

Having public liability insurance doesn’t mean you can ignore your home insurance.

For example, if a minded child damages your television, your public liability policy may not pay to replace it.

That would normally be something to check under your household contents insurance, subject to the policy’s exclusions.

Public liability insurance for childminders

Public liability insurance is one of the most important forms of insurance for registered childminders.

It helps protect you financially if someone makes a covered claim against you for an injury or property damage connected with your childminding activities.

For example, if a child is injured while in your care and you are found legally responsible, public liability insurance may help cover compensation and legal costs.

The precise protection depends on your policy.

Some specialist childminder insurance packages also include professional indemnity, legal expenses and other benefits.

How much is public liability insurance for childminders?

According to GOV.UK, public liability insurance for childminders costs approximately £25 to £100.

This is a useful guide, although the amount you actually pay will depend on your insurer and the cover included.

Some childminders obtain insurance through professional membership organisations, where the membership fee includes insurance alongside other services.

Before buying, check exactly what you’re paying for.

Specialist childminder insurance providers

Although mainstream home insurance can be suitable for childminders, there are situations where a specialist policy makes more sense.

For example, you may want additional accidental damage protection, cover for expensive childminding equipment or insurance that specifically recognises the way you use your home.

Here are some of the main providers worth investigating.

Morton Michel

Morton Michel is one of the better-known names in childcare insurance.

It arranges insurance for childminders and other childcare professionals.

Through its specialist HomeMinder arrangements, it can provide household insurance designed for homes used for childcare.

Depending on the policy selected, this can include accidental damage caused by minded children and protection for business equipment.

This is particularly useful if you’re worried about damage to your own belongings, something that isn’t necessarily covered by ordinary childminder public liability insurance.

Coram PACEY

Coram PACEY, the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, offers practitioner insurance as part of eligible membership packages.

This includes public liability insurance and other business-related protection.

For example, its practitioner insurance provides public liability cover of up to £10 million, subject to the policy terms.

However, this isn’t the same as ordinary buildings and contents insurance.

Coram PACEY also works with Morton Michel to provide access to specialist home insurance arrangements.

You can find more information on the Coram PACEY insurance page.

Scottish Childminding Association

If you’re based in Scotland, the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) is another option.

Its membership arrangements include access to practitioner insurance designed for registered childminders.

As with other membership schemes, check exactly what is covered and whether you still need separate buildings and contents insurance.

Childcare.co.uk

Childcare.co.uk has offered childminder insurance benefits through its Gold membership.

If you’re already a member, it’s worth checking the current benefits and policy documents.

However, don’t assume that the insurance included with membership replaces your normal home insurance.

How much does home insurance for childminders cost?

Unfortunately, there’s no fixed price.

Your premium will depend on factors such as your property, location, rebuilding costs, contents value, claims history and the insurer’s underwriting rules.

Some companies may accept ordinary childminding without applying a separate surcharge.

Others may charge more or refuse cover entirely.

The important thing is to compare quotes based on your actual circumstances.

I’d start with Direct Line, Churchill, Privilege and Tesco.

If none of them offers suitable cover, I’d then investigate specialist providers.

Remember that the cheapest policy isn’t necessarily the best if it excludes damage caused by minded children or doesn’t cover equipment you rely on for your business.

How to get cheaper home insurance as a childminder

Over the years, I’ve learned a few ways to keep our home insurance costs down.

1. Don’t rely entirely on comparison sites

Comparison sites are useful, but they don’t always make it easy to explain that you’re a registered childminder.

Some simply ask whether you run a business from home.

If you’re unsure how to answer, contact the insurer rather than selecting an option that doesn’t accurately describe your circumstances.

2. Get quotes from all four mainstream insurers

I’d compare Direct Line, Churchill, Privilege and Tesco before looking at more expensive specialist policies.

All four have wording that recognises childminding as an acceptable form of home working or an exception to ordinary business-use restrictions.

However, their prices can differ.

And even if you don’t pay a specific childminding surcharge, the overall premium may still vary considerably.

3. Haggle at renewal

I’ve had some success negotiating with Direct Line.

One year, our renewal quote increased by around £50.

After speaking to them, they agreed to reduce the price.

It doesn’t always work, but it’s worth asking whether they can improve their renewal offer.

Having a genuine cheaper quote from another insurer can help.

4. Check cashback sites

Before taking out a policy, I always check whether cashback is available.

Both Direct Line and Churchill have appeared on cashback sites such as TopCashback and Quidco.

The offers change regularly, so don’t assume a particular cashback amount will always be available.

You can find more information in my guide to the best cashback sites.

5. Don’t pay for insurance you already have

If you’re a member of Coram PACEY or another professional organisation, you may already have public liability insurance included.

Check your existing cover before buying anything else.

However, don’t assume your business insurance will protect your own household belongings.

My verdict: Which home insurance is best for childminders?

Based on our experience, Direct Line would still be my first choice to get a quote from.

We’ve found it straightforward to deal with, and it has previously confirmed that our childminding arrangements were acceptable without an additional childminding charge.

However, I wouldn’t automatically renew without comparing prices.

Churchill, Privilege and Tesco are all worth checking, particularly because their policy wording specifically recognises childminding.

If you want more comprehensive protection for childminding equipment or accidental damage caused by minded children, a specialist provider such as Morton Michel may be a better option.

The most important thing is to make sure your home insurance accepts your childminding activities and that you have separate, appropriate public liability cover.

Have you found another insurer that accepts childminders without charging extra? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to add more companies to the list.

Also worth reading: How much do childminders earn? My guide to working as a childminder.

Home insurance for childminders: Frequently asked questions