In London’s global property and business market, accurate communication is essential. Translators and interpreters play a critical role in supporting real estate transactions, legal contracts, marketing materials, and international clients. However, a single mistranslation or missed clause can lead to financial loss, contractual dispute, or reputational damage.
That’s where translator insurance — also known as professional indemnity insurance or errors & omissions cover — becomes essential. At Fraser Bond, we help professionals and businesses working with international clients understand how insurance protects their services, clients, and reputation across the UK property and business landscape.
Translator insurance is a specialist form of professional liability cover designed for individuals and agencies providing translation, interpreting, localisation, or linguistic consulting services.
It typically includes:
Professional Indemnity (PI) / Errors & Omissions Insurance
Protects against client claims arising from errors, omissions, or negligence in translation or interpreting services — for example, a mistranslated legal clause leading to financial loss. (hiscox.co.uk)
Public Liability Insurance
Covers injury or property damage caused to third parties — relevant if meeting clients or attending on-site assignments. (axa.co.uk)
Cyber Liability / Data Breach Cover
Protects against loss of client data or breach of confidential information — increasingly vital for translators handling sensitive documents.
Business Equipment & Contents Cover
Covers laptops, translation tools, or equipment used for interpreting or remote services.
For freelancers or small agencies, these policies can often be bundled into a single “professional business insurance” package.
Even the most experienced translator or interpreter can face an error that leads to a costly claim. Consider:
A translation error in a lease or property-purchase document delays completion or results in financial loss.
An interpreting error in a court or compliance meeting leads to misunderstanding and reputational harm.
Client data (contracts, identity documents) is stolen in a cyber breach, triggering GDPR exposure.
Professional indemnity insurance ensures translators and language specialists are financially protected against these risks — covering legal fees, settlements, and compensation.
In London’s property market, multilingual documentation and overseas investor engagement make this form of insurance increasingly relevant — not only for translators but also for agencies subcontracting linguistic work for property transactions, valuations, and due diligence.
| Cover Type | Typical Limit | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Indemnity | £250,000 – £2 million | Core protection for translation or interpreting errors. |
| Public Liability | £1 million – £5 million | Covers injury or damage claims during client meetings or events. |
| Cyber Liability | £100,000+ | Protects against loss of digital data, ransomware or breach. |
| Equipment Cover | Based on declared value | Laptops, hardware, reference materials, specialist devices. |
Premiums for freelance translators may start from £6–£15 per month, depending on turnover, service scope, and insurer. (simplybusiness.co.uk)
Fraser Bond recommends that translators and language agencies take these steps when securing cover:
Define your services clearly – legal, technical, property, or business translation? Each carries different risk levels.
Assess client and contractual requirements – many UK and international clients require translators to hold minimum PI cover.
Check policy wording for exclusions – ensure all services you offer are covered, including interpreting, transcription, and document certification.
Verify cyber-risk coverage – if you store or transmit confidential documents, include data breach protection.
Confirm retroactive date – ensures prior work is covered for future claims.
Choose an insurer with sector experience – Hiscox, AXA, Aviva, and Markel are among trusted UK providers for professional services.
Review annually – as your client base or services expand, your coverage should grow with your business.
Fraser Bond supports both property-sector professionals and business-service providers with integrated compliance and insurance insight. Our expertise includes:
Advising service providers (such as translators, consultants and contractors) on appropriate professional indemnity and liability cover.
Helping property firms vet translation and legal-service partners for compliance and risk management.
Aligning insurance with client contracts and international transactions.
Offering end-to-end support across sales, lettings, compliance, and investment advisory — ensuring every link in your professional network is protected.
Our London-based perspective ensures translators and interpreting agencies remain compliant, credible and contract-ready in one of the world’s most international business markets.
Protect your professional reputation and business continuity with comprehensive translator insurance.
Visit FraserBond.com or contact our London advisory team for tailored advice on professional indemnity, cyber, and liability cover suited to your translation business.
