Nearly half of small companies say they want their insurance policies to cover bad debts.
That's according to a new study of business owners, which also found that 16 per cent want to insure against costs to sue suppliers that fail to deliver.
The study, by the Centre for Risk and Insurance Studies at Nottingham University, found that nearly 40 per cent of small businesses are now looking for ways to improve cashflow, while nearly 20 per cent want to lower operational costs and reduce company debt.
Christopher O'Brien, director at the university's business school said:
"The recession may have led to small businesses viewing risks differently, being particularly concerned about financial risks and looking for greater protection against issues that threaten their position in increasingly competitive markets.