From 1st January 2026, IPSE’s insurance provider officially changed from Markel to Qdos. This shift happens automatically for all members, so there is nothing you need to do; however, I wanted to speak to you directly about what has changed, our rationale behind this change, and why this matters for your membership.

Before I explain our decision, I want to express my personal and sincere thanks to Markel. Over many years, they have stood alongside IPSE and the thousands of contractors, freelancers and independent professionals who rely on us for protection and peace of mind. We are grateful for the long-standing partnership, and we recognise the part they have played in strengthening the safety net that so many of you depend on.

But as your needs evolve, so must we. And this is the moment for IPSE to take the next step forward.

IPSE and Qdos have worked in parallel for a long time, often campaigning side‑by‑side on issues such as employment status, tax and IR35. Both organisations share a deep commitment to championing the self‑employed, ensuring that your voice is heard and that you have access to clear, practical, expert-led support. This shared vision is at the heart of our new partnership.

In recent years, you have asked for more immediate expertise; better clarity around legal and tax issues; support that is free from jargon and rooted in real-world experience; and membership benefits that reflect the realities of modern contracting. 

To continue meeting evolving expectations, we were looking to enhance the level of expertise available to us, benefit from more personalised guidance through a dedicated point of contact, and strengthen the tailored protection we offer. With that ambition in mind, Qdos was the ideal partner to help us take that next step.

One of the immediate advantages of this move is the introduction of a new £50,000 legal protection cover for a wide range of issues that freelancers, company directors and umbrella workers commonly face.

This covers the costs of representation in matters such as contract disputes, debt recovery, data protection issues, personal injury claims, employment matters, property disagreements, criminal defence, health and safety investigations, restrictive covenants and even wrongful arrest. It is an extensive level of protection, and it has been designed with the daily realities of self-employment firmly in mind.

Another significant enhancement is the introduction of a dedicated Insurance Account Manager for every member. This means you will now have a named, human point of contact who understands your specific benefits, your insurance needs, and the nature of your work. They will be on hand to help you navigate existing cover, explore additional policies, or manage renewals, giving you the clarity and personal service that many of you have been asking for. And, as always, our IPSE membership team will continue to be available to support you with any and all of your queries.

Members will also gain access to a discounted Contract Health Check, providing a detailed explanation of the key commercial terms in your agreements – translated into plain English and contextualised so you understand how those clauses affect your day‑to‑day work. It is a practical way to gain confidence in the contracts you rely on, without needing to wade through unfamiliar legal language.

There are also improvements to benefits many of you already use. The exclusion period for illness and injury cover will be cut from 60 days to 30 days. 

You’ll also continue to get 10% off business insurance – but it now goes further. The discount will be applied upon renewal for the total price of the policy, so you can save even more on essentials like Professional Indemnity, Public Liability and Employers’ Liability cover.

And, for the first time, IR35 Contract Assessments will be free of charge for all members, with a faster three‑day turnaround available.

Together, IPSE and Qdos will collaborate on research, campaigning and a new programme of webinars on the latest tax and policy developments, all with the aim of strengthening your voice where it matters most.

By bringing together IPSE’s respected policy expertise and longestablished role as the trusted voice of the selfemployed, with Qdos’ unparalleled speciality in contractor and self-employed services, we will be able to champion your interests even more effectively in Westminster and beyond.

Alongside this, we are reviewing every part of our product to ensure it delivers the value you expect and deserve. We’re working hard behind the scenes, and we look forward to sharing more updates on this later in the year.

This move marks an important moment for IPSE, and I want you to know that it has been guided by one priority: giving our members more. I am excited about what this partnership will unlock and confident that Qdos is the right partner to help us raise the bar for our members.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It’s because of you that IPSE can provide tools and services to help you run your business confidently, offer peace of mind, and campaign to protect and promote the self-employed.

If you’d like to explore the full details of the move to Qdos, you can find everything you need in our member portal.

And if you have any questions at all, please do reach out to our brilliant Membership Team on +44 (0)20 8897 9970, by email at [email protected], or you can book a call back at a time that suits you.