I'd suggest some reading around the web. Most of the main peer to peer lenders, including Funding Circle, now have schemes in place to protect investors if the company folds. (The government also use FC as a way to invest in small businesses. They have 10% the loan in a lot of companies I'm lending to)

There's a blurb here explaining the general principles of how Funding Circle works https://www.fundingcircle.com/how-it-works

If you'd like an invitation after reading around, let me know.