About us

Markel provides sector-specific insurance cover to contractors, freelancers, small businesses, tradespeople, charities and community groups.

As well as providing insurance to our policyholders, additional services are offered through our specialist consultancy companies Janjer Group, Markel Law and Markel Tax.

We have over 25 years’ experience insuring SMEs, more than 200,000 clients in the UK and we’re rated 4.7/5 by our customers on Feefo.com. 

Our specialisms

We specialise in liability insurance, including professional indemnity, public liability and employers’ liability, covering the specific risks of a particular sector.

Our sector specialisms include IT, business consultancy, technical and engineering, marketing and creative, teaching, photography, and fitness and sports.

In addition, we specialise in the charity and community sector, insuring thousands of community groups, children’s groups, counselling and support groups, as well as clubs and societies.

A global brand

Markel UK is a division of Markel International, an international insurance company which looks after the commercial insurance needs of major businesses, SMEs, professionals and sole traders. Operating through six divisions, Markel International has offices in 17 countries, across the UK, Europe, Canada, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Markel International is a division of Markel Corporation, a US-based holding company for insurance, reinsurance and investment operations around the world, that trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MKL), has  $33.3 billion of combined assets and $9.1 billion of shareholders’ equity. In 2021 Markel Corporation wrote gross premium of $8.5 billion.

Depending on risk location, Markel can underwrite via its Lloyd’s syndicate, its London insurance company, Markel International Insurance Company Limited, or its German insurance company, Markel Insurance SE, established in 2018 to handle EEA risks after Brexit. Other insuring entities include Markel Resseguradora do Brasil S.A. and Markel Seguradora do Brasil S.A.

MIICL is licensed for insurance in all EU and numerous other overseas territories while Syndicate 3000 benefits from Lloyd’s global licences and can write insurance and reinsurance worldwide.

Markel also offers tax and legal services through its specialist companies Markel Tax and Markel Law. 

The Markel Style

The 'Markel Style' is how we do business - it's our vision and values, our code of behaviour, and governs all of our actions.

Markel has a commitment to success. We believe in hard work and a zealous pursuit of excellence while keeping a sense of humour. Our creed is honesty and fairness in all our dealings.

The Markel way is to seek to be a market leader in each of our pursuits. We seek to know our customers' needs and to provide them with quality products and service.

Our pledge to our shareholders is that we will continue to build the financial value of our company. We respect our relationship with our suppliers and have an unwavering commitment to our communities. 

At Markel, we hold the individual's right to self-determination in the highest light, providing an atmosphere in which people can reach their personal potential. We are always willing to put aside individual concerns in the spirit of teamwork to achieve success.

Above all, we enjoy what we are doing. There is excitement at Markel, one that comes from innovating, creating and striving for a better way, and sharing success with others.

Regulatory information

• Markel direct is a trading name of Markel (UK) Limited.
• Markel (UK) Limited is a registered company (registered in England number 2430992), registered office: 20 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3AZ, with its main trading address at 2nd Floor, Verity House, 6 Canal Wharf, Leeds, LS11 5AS.
• Markel (UK) Limited is an appointed representative of Markel International Insurance Company Limited which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority (FCA registered number 202570). The Financial Services Register can be accessed at www.fca.org.uk/firms/financial-services-register.
• Markel (UK) Limited only places insurance policies with Markel International Insurance Company Limited.

Financial strength ratings

Visit the Markel Corporation financial strength and credit ratings page for more information.

*Benefits from ratings for Lloyd’s