Complete Guide to Robot Insurance UK 2026

Deploying a robot in a commercial environment creates unique insurance requirements. Whether you own, hire, or subscribe to a robot through RaaS, understanding your coverage obligations is essential. This guide explains every insurance type relevant to UK robot deployments in 2026.

Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance protects you if a robot causes injury or property damage to a member of the public, customer, or visitor. If a delivery robot collides with a restaurant guest or a robot dog knocks over a display at an exhibition, public liability covers the resulting claims. Most insurers recommend a minimum of £5 million cover for robot deployments in public-facing environments, rising to £10 million for large events.

Product Liability Insurance

If a robot malfunction or defect causes harm, product liability insurance applies. This is primarily the concern of the robot manufacturer and the hire company rather than the end user. When you hire through roboTED, product liability is covered by our fleet insurance policy. If you own a robot, your manufacturer's warranty and your own business insurance policy should address product liability.

Employer's Liability

UK employers are legally required to have employer's liability insurance of at least £5 million. If an employee is injured while working alongside a robot, your existing employer's liability policy should cover the claim. However, check with your insurer that your policy does not exclude robotics or automated equipment. Some older policies contain exclusion clauses that could leave you exposed. When adding robots to your workplace, notify your insurer and request written confirmation of coverage.

Cyber and Data Insurance

Connected robots collect and transmit data, including navigation maps, operational logs, and in some cases camera footage. If a robot is hacked or its data is breached, cyber insurance covers the costs of notification, remediation, and any regulatory fines under UK GDPR. This is particularly relevant for security patrol robots and any robot with cameras operating in public areas. Consider cyber insurance if you own robots; roboTED covers this for hired fleet units.

Damage and Theft Protection

Robots are expensive assets. A BellaBot retails at approximately £12,000-£15,000, a UR5e at £25,000-£35,000, and a Spot at over £60,000. If a hired robot is damaged or stolen while in your care, you are typically liable for repair or replacement costs up to the excess amount specified in the hire agreement. All roboTED hires include comprehensive accidental damage and theft cover with a standard excess of £250-£500 depending on the robot category.

How roboTED Handles Insurance

Every robot hired through roboTED includes the following coverage at no additional cost:

• Public liability up to £5 million
• Product liability for manufacturing defects
• Accidental damage protection for the hired unit
• Theft protection with police report requirement
• Transit insurance for delivery and collection
• Risk assessment documentation for your venue

You remain responsible for your own employer's liability (a legal requirement regardless of robots) and any venue-specific requirements your landlord or event venue may impose. We recommend keeping a copy of the roboTED insurance certificate on file and sharing it with your venue management.

Finding a Robot Insurance Broker

If you own robots, specialist technology insurance brokers can arrange tailored cover. Look for brokers with experience in automation, robotics, or technology sectors. Standard business insurance policies may not adequately cover robot-specific risks, so always disclose your robot operations to your insurer and ask for written confirmation that autonomous and semi-autonomous machinery is included in your policy.