Guidance

How to apply for UKEF Export Insurance

Find out about the application process for UKEF Export Insurance, and what information and documents you鈥檒l need to share.

About this service聽

UK Export Finance (UKEF) offers export insurance for exporters in the UK. Find out more about what cover we provide.

If you鈥檇 like to apply for UKEF export insurance, we first need to find out if you鈥檙e eligible. Next, we鈥檒l ask you questions about your business, buyer and your export.聽聽

We鈥檒l also ask you to share some documents with us after you鈥檝e submitted your application. We鈥檒l explain what these documents are in the sections below.聽

This information may also be useful for your broker, if you鈥檙e using one. Your broker should register with UKEF.

Applying for UKEF export insurance聽

What鈥檚 covered in the form?聽

Before you apply, we鈥檒l ask you some questions to find out if you鈥檙e eligible to use the service. If you鈥檙e unsure if you鈥檇 be eligible, you can find out more about eligibility before you apply.聽聽

The application itself is split into four sections. These ask you about:聽聽

  1. your business聽聽
  2. your buyer聽聽
  3. what type of cover you need聽聽
  4. your export contract聽聽

Each section should take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.聽聽

Can I save my progress?聽

If you鈥檙e eligible, you鈥檒l be asked to create an online account with us. Once you鈥檝e set up your account, your progress will be saved automatically.聽聽

You can complete the sections in any order and you don鈥檛 need to complete the form in one sitting.聽

How long do I have to complete the form?聽

You have 30 days to complete the application once you鈥檝e started it. After 30 days, your application will be deleted and you鈥檒l have to start again.聽聽

Logging in does not reset this counter. We suggest you try to complete the application as soon as possible to avoid needing to start again.聽

Can my broker help me with my application?聽

Only exporters can complete the application. Your broker can help, but they cannot fill in the application on your behalf.聽聽

Please note, brokers need to be approved by UKEF to be paid their commissioning fee. It鈥檚 easy to register. Your broker can apply by emailing exipunderwriting@ukexportfinance.gov.uk and completing the registration form.聽

Information you鈥檒l need by section聽

Your business聽

  • How many permanent and contracted employees you have in the UK聽聽

  • Your estimated turnover for this financial year聽聽

  • Any credit management processes in place聽

  • Any export insurance in place for other exports聽

Your buyer聽

  • Your buyer鈥檚 business information, including their address聽聽

  • If you鈥檙e connected to the buyer in any way聽

  • Your trading history, if you鈥檝e worked with them before聽聽

  • Any export insurance you鈥檝e held for them in the past聽聽

  • Your buyer鈥檚 financial accounts, if you have access to them聽

Your insurance policy聽

  • The type of policy you want (single or multiple contracts)聽

  • The total value of the contract you want to insure, including the entire commercial value over multiple shipments聽

  • Your pre-cover period (if you want one)聽

If relevant, we鈥檒l also ask you to share information about:聽聽

  • Any other parties or companies that need to be jointly insured聽聽

  • Your broker, including their name, contact details and location聽聽

  • Your loss payee聽

Your export contract聽

  • The goods or services you鈥檙e exporting聽聽

  • How you鈥檒l get paid聽

  • Your experiences trying to get cover in the private insurance market聽聽

  • Your commissioning agent (if you have one)聽

Start your application

Help and support聽

If you have any questions or need extra support during your application, contact an export finance manager.聽聽

Find your nearest Export Finance Manager.

Updates to this page

Published 13 August 2024
Last updated 30 July 2025 show all updates
  1. Change from "credit" to "Export" insurance

  2. First published.

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