[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":247},["ShallowReactive",2],{"schema:\u002Fbusiness-insurance\u002Fguides\u002Funoccupancy\u002F":3},{"elements":4,"system":242},{"post__title":5,"post__summary":9,"post__content":12,"post__author":46,"post__reviewer":117,"publish_date":121,"updated_date":125,"url":127,"seo__meta_title":130,"seo__meta_description":132,"seo__add_no_index_tag":133,"seo__canonical_url":136,"related_articles":138,"categories":142,"subfolder":206,"tags":210,"thumbnail_image":214,"show_on_index_page":225,"hide_author":231,"hide_reviewer":235,"hide_tags":238},{"name":6,"type":7,"value":8},"Title","text","How unoccupancy and changes to business activities affect insurance",{"name":10,"type":7,"value":11},"Summary","Find out how government restrictions and guidelines could impact your insurance if your premises are unoccupied or you’ve had to change business activities.",{"images":13,"linkedItemCodenames":14,"linkedItems":16,"links":44,"name":27,"type":28,"value":45},[],[15],"n895560d6_7482_01f8_4172_ff7e2370a289",[17],{"elements":18,"system":37},{"quote":19,"content":22,"alignment":30},{"name":20,"type":7,"value":21},"Quote","This information is usually located under an ‘Unoccupancy clause’ or ‘Unoccupied Condition’ within your policy wording.",{"images":23,"linkedItemCodenames":24,"linkedItems":25,"links":26,"name":27,"type":28,"value":29},[],[],[],[],"Content","rich_text","\u003Cp>This condition contains two elements that you need to know about, should you be forced to close your business at any time either by the government or by your local authority:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. The number of days you can be closed, or the business premises aren’t in use, before you need to notify us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. The conditions that you need to adhere to whilst your premises are unoccupied.\u003C\u002Fp>",{"name":31,"type":32,"value":33},"Alignment","multiple_choice",[34],{"name":35,"codename":36},"Quote on the left","quote_on_the_left",{"codename":15,"collection":38,"id":39,"language":38,"lastModified":40,"name":39,"sitemapLocations":41,"type":42,"workflowStep":43,"workflow":43},"default","895560d6-7482-01f8-4172-ff7e2370a289","2025-06-20T15:03:11.4628665Z",[],"quote_section",null,[],"\u003Cp>Coronavirus restrictions have caused businesses across the UK to change the way they operate or close their doors for the foreseeable future. Tiered lockdowns and a lack of financial support are adding an extra layer of uncertainty to what is already a stressful time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You may not realise it, but lockdown rules could also affect your \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbionic.co.uk\u002Fbusiness-insurance\u002F\">business insurance\u003C\u002Fa> as well as your finances, especially if you’ve had to leave your business premises empty or make changes to the way you work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here’s more on how government restrictions and guidelines could impact your insurance if your \u003Cstrong>business premises are unoccupied\u003C\u002Fstrong> or you’ve had to \u003Cstrong>change your business activities\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>What if your business is forced to close temporarily?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>If your business premises are currently unoccupied\u003C\u002Fstrong> or your business isn’t trading as usual, you need to contact us so we can let your insurer know. This is because any period of unoccupancy can affect the terms of your cover as your business will now be deemed a higher risk than if it was business as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you’re regularly checking on the premises while it lies empty or no business is being done there, you still need to let us know so we can inform your insurer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If your insurer is unaware of this change in circumstances, this can affect your rights under the policy, which could be bad news if you need to make a claim during this period as you could find it’s rejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cobject type=\"application\u002Fkenticocloud\" data-type=\"item\" data-rel=\"component\" data-codename=\"n895560d6_7482_01f8_4172_ff7e2370a289\">\u003C\u002Fobject>\n\u003Cp>If your business premises remain unoccupied for any length of time beyond the permitted number of days specified in your policy, you need to let us know by calling \u003Cstrong>0800 158 5263 \u003C\u002Fstrong>or by emailing us at \u003Ca data-email-address=\"existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk\" href=\"mailto:existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk\">existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given how the range of lockdown restrictions can affect different businesses in different ways, there are a number of reasons why your premises might be unoccupied, including:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>You are not permitted to open under the current government lockdown rules\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>All your employees are working from home\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>You have chosen to remain closed for your safety and the safety of your staff\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>You are not receiving the same volume of customers and have decided to remain closed\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>You are unable to operate in a Covid secure manner\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Your tenant has closed \u002F moved out or are currently not trading (for property owners\u002Flandlords only)\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>If your business property is unoccupied for any reason, you need to let us know by calling \u003Cstrong>0800 158 5263 \u003C\u002Fstrong>or by emailing us at \u003Ca data-email-address=\"existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk\" href=\"mailto:existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk\">existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk\u003C\u002Fa>. Once we have the necessary information we can then let your insurer know so your policy can be amended accordingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>What if you have changed your business activities?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>If you’ve changed your business activities\u003C\u002Fstrong>, any insurance claims you make could be declined if your insurer hasn’t been told about these changes. This could cause issues if you’ve had to make any changes to keep trading through lockdown and beyond. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why it’s vital you notify us of any changes to your business activities, so we can let your insurer know and update your cover. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the start of the pandemic we have seen many businesses change and adapt to survive and remain successful. The types of changes we have seen include:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>A café that changes to a takeaway service only\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>A shop that only opens at weekends to cut midweek overheads\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>A catering company that has started to offer takeaway and home delivery services\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>If you’ve changed your business activities in any way that means you’re operating differently to the business activities initially described to us, you need to let us know. This includes any changes since you either took out the policy or last renewed your insurance with us. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this is the case, we’ll need to update your insurers with this information so please do get in touch by calling \u003Cstrong>0800 158 5263 \u003C\u002Fstrong>or by emailing us at \u003Ca data-email-address=\"existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk\" href=\"mailto:existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk\">existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Further information on coronavirus restrictions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Sadly, we can’t cover every eventuality, nor can we anticipate any future restrictions, so it’s vital that you make sure you’re fully aware of the latest government guidelines and how they could impact your business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’re unsure which restrictions relate to you and your business, click on the following government website links to confirm the restrictions that apply in your area:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>England: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.uk\u002Ffind-coronavirus-local-restrictions\" data-new-window=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.uk\u002Ffind-coronavirus-local-restrictions\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wales: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgov.wales\u002Flocal-lockdown\" data-new-window=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\u002F\u002Fgov.wales\u002Flocal-lockdown\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scotland: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.scot\u002Fcoronavirus-covid-19\u002F\" data-new-window=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.scot\u002Fcoronavirus-covid-19\u002F\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are likely to be further government updates regarding coronavirus restrictions, so it’s important that you keep on top of them. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If any of the current restrictions have affected your business, whether because your business activities have changed, your office premises are empty or you have to close and your policy restricts cover for this, please contact our Insurance Team to let us know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likewise, if any future regulations and announcements look likely to affect your business activities and your cover, get in touch to talk things through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>How to get in touch with Bionic\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Here’s how to get in touch with the Bionic Insurance Team and discuss your current situation and policy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>Call us on \u003Cstrong>0800 158 5263 \u003C\u002Fstrong>(Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:30)\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Email us at \u003Ca data-email-address=\"existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk \" href=\"mailto:existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk \">\u003Cstrong>existingbusiness@bionic.co.uk \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>and we’ll call you back\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>When you get in touch, please have the following information to hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>Your business name\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>The date you initially closed\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>When you anticipate reopening (we understand you may not know this yet)\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>Any details of changes to your business or activities.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Our Insurance Team is on hand to answer any queries or concerns you might have. If you’re unsure about any area of your policy, it’s best to get in touch to ensure your policy remains valid, especially if you’ve had to make changes to the way you trade or if your premises is unoccupied for any length of time not outlined in your policy.\u003C\u002Fp>",{"name":47,"type":48,"value":49,"linkedItems":51},"Author","modular_content",[50],"author___david_woodfield",[52],{"elements":53,"system":110},{"name":54,"title":57,"linkedin":59,"twitter":62,"intro":65,"body":72,"slug":79,"image":83,"seo__meta_title":95,"seo__meta_description":98,"seo__add_no_index_tag":101,"seo__canonical_url":107},{"name":55,"type":7,"value":56},"Name","David Woodfield",{"name":6,"type":7,"value":58},"Chief Growth Officer",{"name":60,"type":7,"value":61},"Linkedin Address","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fdwoodfield\u002F",{"name":63,"type":7,"value":64},"Twitter Address","https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fbionic_business",{"images":66,"linkedItemCodenames":67,"linkedItems":68,"links":69,"name":70,"type":28,"value":71},[],[],[],[],"Intro","\u003Cp>David has worked in the financial services industry for 15 years, but nearly always as something of an outsider. After starting out as an external consultant working for a range of banks, insurers and the FCA, David moved to build a new insurance business that reinvented pet and travel cover to be clearer, fairer and easier for customers and now oversees Bionic's growth businesses including Insurance and Finance.  \u003C\u002Fp>",{"images":73,"linkedItemCodenames":74,"linkedItems":75,"links":76,"name":77,"type":28,"value":78},[],[],[],[],"Body","\u003Cp>David has worked in the financial services industry for 15 years, but nearly always as something of an outsider. After starting out as an external consultant working for a range of banks, insurers and the FCA, David moved to build a new insurance business that reinvented pet and travel cover to be clearer, fairer and easier for customers. After putting the wheels in motion to do the same for small business owners and their insurance at Bionic, David is now Chief Growth Officer, overseeing Bionic's growth businesses including Insurance and Finance.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having the experience and knowledge of the financial services industry, combined with a belief that it can and should be fairer and clearer for customers, means David gets great satisfaction from demystifying the industry’s complexity, jargon and challenges to make them completely straightforward for the UK’s SME owners and operators. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his spare time, you would find David with his young family, trying to cycle up hills quickly and spending time on all things mechanical and practical. \u003C\u002Fp>",{"name":80,"type":81,"value":82},"Slug","url_slug","david-woodfield\u002F",{"name":84,"type":85,"value":86},"Image","asset",[87],{"name":88,"description":56,"type":89,"size":90,"url":91,"width":92,"height":93,"renditions":94},"david-woodfield-new.png","image\u002Fpng",13648,"https:\u002F\u002Fassets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443\u002F77bbf83a-1306-0152-fea5-3b5eaf937634\u002F8e39e8aa-5f92-40e8-9cc1-5458a632dcf1\u002Fdavid-woodfield-new.png",107,106,{},{"name":96,"type":7,"value":97},"Meta title","David Woodfield | Chief Growth Officer | Bionic",{"name":99,"type":7,"value":100},"Meta description","With 15 years experience in the financial services industry, David helped to demystify the industry complexity and jargon for customers. He now oversees Bionic's growth businesses.",{"name":102,"type":32,"value":103},"Add no index tag",[104],{"name":105,"codename":106},"No","no",{"name":108,"type":7,"value":109},"Canonical URL","https:\u002F\u002Fbionic.co.uk\u002Fauthors\u002Fdavid-woodfield\u002F",{"codename":50,"collection":38,"id":111,"language":38,"lastModified":112,"name":113,"sitemapLocations":114,"type":115,"workflowStep":116,"workflow":38},"fadd5a30-a753-458e-a200-c286f08141b7","2024-10-09T09:23:15.8540631Z","AUTHOR - David Woodfield",[],"author","published",{"name":118,"type":48,"value":119,"linkedItems":120},"Reviewer",[],[],{"name":122,"type":123,"value":124,"displayTimeZone":43},"Publish Date","date_time","2020-05-13T00:00:00Z",{"name":126,"type":123,"value":43,"displayTimeZone":43},"Updated Date",{"name":128,"type":81,"value":129},"URL","unoccupancy\u002F",{"name":96,"type":7,"value":131},"How does unoccupancy affect business insurance? | Bionic",{"name":99,"type":7,"value":11},{"name":102,"type":32,"value":134},[135],{"name":105,"codename":106},{"name":108,"type":7,"value":137},"https:\u002F\u002Fbionic.co.uk\u002Fbusiness-insurance\u002Fguides\u002Funoccupancy\u002F",{"name":139,"type":48,"value":140,"linkedItems":141},"Related Articles",[],[],{"name":143,"type":48,"value":144,"linkedItems":146},"Categories",[145],"category___business_insurance_guide",[147],{"elements":148,"system":200},{"name":149,"short_name":151,"call_to_action":154,"call_to_action_button":157,"mobile_name":160,"url_slug":163,"icon":166,"active_icon":175,"seo__meta_title":181,"seo__meta_description":183,"seo__add_no_index_tag":185,"seo__canonical_url":188,"type":190,"order":196},{"name":55,"type":7,"value":150},"Business Insurance Guide",{"name":152,"type":7,"value":153},"Short Name","Business Insurance",{"name":155,"type":7,"value":156},"Call To Action Title","Get a quote for business insurance",{"name":158,"type":7,"value":159},"Call To Action Button Text","Start a quote",{"name":161,"type":7,"value":162},"Mobile Name","Insurance",{"name":164,"type":81,"value":165},"URL SLug","business-insurance",{"name":167,"type":85,"value":168},"Icon",[169],{"name":170,"description":171,"type":172,"size":173,"url":174,"renditions":43},"guides-Insurance-orange.svg","Insurance Icon","image\u002Fsvg+xml",2154,"https:\u002F\u002Fassets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443\u002F77bbf83a-1306-0152-fea5-3b5eaf937634\u002Fe2a2e472-1b30-420c-88bd-0fea7444adad\u002Fguides-Insurance-orange.svg",{"name":176,"type":85,"value":177},"Active Icon",[178],{"name":179,"description":171,"type":172,"size":173,"url":180,"renditions":43},"guides-Insurance-white.svg","https:\u002F\u002Fassets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443\u002F77bbf83a-1306-0152-fea5-3b5eaf937634\u002Fa1836448-93cd-46e7-acf5-598509e68845\u002Fguides-Insurance-white.svg",{"name":96,"type":7,"value":182},"Business Insurance Guides | Business Insurance Cover | Bionic",{"name":99,"type":7,"value":184},"Bionic's business insurance guides cut through the industry jargon to help you find the right business insurance cover for complete peace of mind",{"name":102,"type":32,"value":186},[187],{"name":105,"codename":106},{"name":108,"type":7,"value":189},"https:\u002F\u002Fbionic.co.uk\u002Fbusiness-insurance\u002Fguides\u002F",{"name":191,"type":32,"value":192},"Type",[193],{"name":194,"codename":195},"Guide","guide",{"name":197,"type":198,"value":199},"Order","number",2,{"codename":145,"collection":38,"id":201,"language":38,"lastModified":202,"name":203,"sitemapLocations":204,"type":205,"workflowStep":116,"workflow":38},"68e2bdde-8c76-49a5-8bbe-874fa3f58b2b","2022-08-25T13:05:43.269881Z","Category - Business Insurance Guide",[],"category",{"name":207,"type":48,"value":208,"linkedItems":209},"Subfolder",[],[],{"name":211,"type":48,"value":212,"linkedItems":213},"Tags",[],[],{"name":215,"type":85,"value":216},"Thumbnail Image",[217],{"name":218,"description":219,"type":89,"size":220,"url":221,"width":222,"height":223,"renditions":224},"Buiness_finance_coronavirus_Blog_list_and_related_articles_image.png","Woman wearing facemask turning closed sign on business door as premises is left unoccupied due to coronavirus resrictions",25204,"https:\u002F\u002Fassets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443\u002F77bbf83a-1306-0152-fea5-3b5eaf937634\u002Fff578455-1e1c-464b-861b-c399f78ac8f2\u002FBuiness_finance_coronavirus_Blog_list_and_related_articles_image.png",271,163,{},{"name":226,"type":32,"value":227},"Show on index page",[228],{"name":229,"codename":230},"Yes","yes",{"name":232,"type":32,"value":233},"Hide Author",[234],{"name":105,"codename":106},{"name":236,"type":32,"value":237},"Hide Reviewer",[],{"name":239,"type":32,"value":240},"Hide Tags",[241],{"name":229,"codename":230},{"codename":243,"collection":38,"id":244,"language":38,"lastModified":40,"name":245,"sitemapLocations":246,"type":195,"workflowStep":116,"workflow":38},"insurance_guide___unoccupancy_and_coronavirus","cba11a6b-e237-4c9d-bce6-5aa4ef5cf942","INSURANCE GUIDE - UNOCCUPANCY AND CORONAVIRUS",[],1784888179179]