Shop Insurance
Cover for independent shops, retailers and charity shops
- Compare quotes from specialist UK providers
- Stock, contents, money and liability cover
- One short form for your shop
A shop policy brings together cover for your stock, fittings and cash, liability if a customer is hurt, and the building if you own it. Crime is a real risk for retailers. In the 2023 Commercial Victimisation Survey, 41% of wholesale and retail premises in England and Wales experienced a crime in the previous 12 months (Commercial Victimisation Survey).
The right shop insurance depends on whether you rent or own, what you sell and who works for you.
Which shop cover do you need?
Find your set-up below, then use the checklist further down to gather the figures.
| Your shop | Covers to look at | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| You rent the unit | Stock, contents, glass, money, liability | The lease may tell you to insure shop fronts or fittings |
| You own the premises | All of the above, plus buildings cover | Insure the rebuild cost, not the market value |
| You also sell online | Product liability and transit cover | Stock in a home garage or unit needs declaring |
| You have staff or volunteers | Employers’ liability | Compulsory for employees, at £5 million or more |
| You trade from a market stall too | Stall or market trader cover | Stock left in a van overnight |
Stock levels that change through the year
Insure stock for what you paid for it, and for your busiest weeks. Ask whether the policy values stock at cost price or sale price. Check the sum insured also covers times when you hold more than usual, such as the run-up to Christmas.
Some insurers offer a seasonal increase, which raises the stock limit for set months. Ask for it if your stockroom doubles before December or a summer season.
Theft, break-ins and customer theft
Theft is the crime shops report most. The same Home Office survey found customer theft hit 26% of wholesale and retail premises in 2023, up from 20% in 2014 (Home Office).
Read how a policy treats theft without forced entry, as wordings vary between insurers. Expect questions about:
- shutters, grilles and the type of locks on doors
- an intruder alarm and who responds when it goes off
- CCTV and how long footage is kept
- high-value lines such as alcohol, tobacco, phones or jewellery
Customers, staff and volunteers
Public liability pays if a customer trips on a mat or is hit by falling stock. It doesn’t cover your staff: employers’ liability does that, and GOV.UK says you can be fined £2,500 for each day you’re not properly insured (GOV.UK).
In England and Wales you’re also responsible for fire safety in the shop and must carry out a fire risk assessment (GOV.UK).
Pros and cons of a combined shop policy
Most shop cover is sold as one package. That suits many owners, but not all.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One schedule, one renewal date | You may pay for sections you never use |
| Fewer gaps between stock, money and liability cover | Specialist risks, such as high-value stock, may need a separate policy |
| Easier to see your total cost | Switching means moving every section at once |
What you need before a shop insurance quote
- What you sell, and roughly what share is online
- Stock value at cost price, normal and at peak
- Value of shop fittings, tills, fridges and signage
- Cash held on the premises during the day and overnight
- Number of staff and volunteers
- Security details and any claims in the last five years
Compare shop cover with Tiger.co.uk
You complete one short form and specialist UK providers come back with quotes. Tiger.co.uk is a trading style of Big Cat Ventures Ltd, which introduces you to Seopa Ltd. Seopa runs the quote system and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 313860).
Related pages: takeaway insurance for hot food, market trader insurance for stalls, and cyber cover if you take payments online. Every cover is on our business insurance hub.
Do I need insurance to open a shop?
The law only requires employers’ liability, and only once you take on staff: at least £5 million from an authorised insurer (GOV.UK). In practice most landlords and lenders expect cover for the building or contents too, so check your lease and any loan terms.
What does shop insurance cover?
A typical shop package covers stock, fixtures and fittings, cash, glass, and your liability to customers. Loss of income after damage, cover for the building if you own it, and employers’ liability for staff can be added. Policies differ, so check each section and its limits.
Is stock covered at cost price or retail price?
Usually cost price, meaning what you paid to buy it in rather than the price on the shelf. A claim normally pays what the stock cost you, so insuring at retail price could mean a higher premium for value you can’t claim back. Check how your policy words it.
Does shop cover include goods I sell online?
The stock is covered while it’s on your premises. Once it leaves for a customer, transit cover and product liability matter more, so tell the insurer what share of sales are online and how you send parcels.
Can I insure a charity shop?
Yes. Charity shops need the same stock, contents and liability cover as any other shop. Ask the insurer to confirm volunteers are covered under employers’ liability, as well as any paid staff.
Is cash in the till covered overnight?
Most shop policies include a money section with separate limits for cash during opening hours, in a locked safe overnight and in transit to the bank. If you hold more than the limit, ask for a higher one or bank more often.
Ready to compare? Start your shop quote with Tiger.co.uk. Check limits and excesses on each policy as well as the price.
Fact-checked by Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk. 20+ years in price comparison; MEng, Queen’s University Belfast.