If you run a retail or shop-based business, then ensuring your business is running effectively is essential, therefore insuring your business with the appropriate level of cover needed is important to keep your business trading in the event of loss or damage.
There is a variety of cover available to shops which combines all the cover needed to protect you and your business. Cover can include liability insurance to protect against claims from the public and employer’s liability insurance which is a legal requirement for all employers, content, stock and much more.
Whatever cover you need there is a range of insurance products available which we have explored below.
The table below gives a quick comparison of the top UK providers for shop insurance.
Company Minimum cover Maximum cover
Aviva Not stated £10 million
RSA £2 million Not stated
AXA Not stated £10 million
Direct Line Group £1 million £10 million
Zurich £2 million £10 million
ACE Not stated Not stated
Allianz Not stated £10 million
Ageas Not stated Not stated
NFU Mutual £2.5 million Not stated
Lloyds Banking Group Not stated Not stated
Liberty Mutual Not stated Not stated
Chubb Not stated Not stated
Covéa £2 million £10 million
Hiscox Not stated Not stated
Travelers £5 million £10 million
NIG £2 million £10 million
ARO Insurance £2 million £10 million
Glemham Insurance Not stated £10 million
* The facts and figures included here come from each company’s website and were accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed. Also, please keep in mind these may not be apples to apples comparisons as each provider offers different solutions. This guide should be used as a starting off point for more research on your part.
Below we profile each of the companies’ services and features in a bit more detail.
Note companies are ranked in no particular order and this no way indicates one solution is better than another.
Topics
1. Aviva
Some of the features and benefits of Aviva’s shop insurance.
- Retail and hairdresser’s insurance
- Tailored policy
- Stock, contents and electronic equipment
- Stock in transit
- Money and assault
- Business income
- Temperature controlled stock
- Loss of alcohol licence
- Public, products and employer’s liability
- Professional indemnity insurance
Aviva is an insurance provider that offers a broad range of business insurance products designed for small to medium-sized businesses. They offer standalone insurance like public liability available to a wide range of businesses and combined insurance designed for specific trades such as retail and hairdresser’s insurance.
Aviva’s retail and hairdresser’s insurance is a flexible product that can include a range of covers such as stock, contents, electronic equipment, money and assault, business income, temperature-controlled stock, loss of alcohol licence and liability insurance. Their liability insurance includes public and product liability insurance, employer’s liability insurance of £10 million as standard, and professional indemnity insurance.
2. RSA
Some of the features and benefits of RSA’s shop insurance.
- Dedicated shop insurance
- Covers a wide range of shops, food outlets, hair and beauty salons
- Offers a wide range of standard cover with optional extras
- Trade stock including seasonal stock increases
- Buildings cover or tenant’s improvements
- Goods in transit
- Unspecified all risks
- Frozen and chilled food
- Public and products liability
- Money cover
RSA is an insurance provider that has a broad range of business insurance products that are designed for a wide variety of business types. They offer standalone products such as liability insurance and combined products designed for specific businesses such as shop insurance.
RSA’s shop insurance is suited to businesses such as convenience stores, takeaway outlets, clothing, cafes, coffee shops, hair and beauty salons. Their standard cover includes trade stock, buildings or tenant’s improvement cover, goods in transit, unspecified risks, public and product liability, loss of liquor licence, money cover and business interruption. Optional cover includes legal expenses, fidelity guarantee and personal accident.
3. AXA
Some of the features and benefits of AXA’s shop insurance.
- Dedicated shop insurance
- Tailored policy
- Public liability
- Employer’s liability
- Professional indemnity
- Contents cover
- Accidental damage
- Goods in transit
- Loss of money
- Range of optional extras
AXA is an insurance provider offering business insurance for small to medium-sized businesses… They offer tailored packages such as shop insurance which covers a range of retail businesses both online or on the high street including hair and beauty salons, coffee shops and home-based retailers.
Public liability insurance up to £5 million, employer’s liability which is a legal requirement if you employ staff with cover up to £10 million, professional indemnity insurance and contents cover up to £250,000. They also cover accidental damage, goods in transit and loss of money. They offer optional extras include buildings cover, business interruption, business equipment, legal expenses and terrorism.
4. Direct Line for Business
Some of the features and benefits of Direct Line for Business’ shop insurance.
- Shop and retail insurance
- Suited to stores, market stalls or online retailers
- Tailored policy
- Public, product and employer’s liability insurance
- Buildings cover
- Contents and stock
- Business interruption
- Theft of takings
- Legal expenses
- Guarantee to beat other quotes
Direct Line for Business offers a range of business insurance that are tailored insurance packages that are designed to meet the needs for specific trades or professions such as shop and retail insurance. This policy is designed for businesses that operate from shops, market stalls and online.
Direct Line for Business’ shop and retail insurance is flexible with a choice of cover. It can include public and product liability insurance from £1 million to £10 million and employer’s liability insurance at £10 million as standard. Other cover includes buildings cover, content and stock as well as seasonal stock increases, business interruption, theft of takings, cyber cover and legal expenses.
Direct Line for Business website
5. Zurich
Some of the features and benefits of Zurich’s shop insurance.
- Specialist shop insurance
- Tailored cover
- Suited to a broad range of independent retail businesses
- Public and products liability
- Employer’s liability
- Business interruption
- Money on premises
- Goods in transit
- Deterioration of stock
- Range of optional cover
Zurich is an insurance provider that offers a range of business insurance products including some tailored insurance products such as shop insurance. Their shop insurance that can cover most independently owned retail businesses with a turnover below £5 million, this includes food retailers, clothing, supermarkets and hairdressers.
Zurich’s shop insurance is a flexible product that you can tailor your cover from a choice of cover with a range of optional extras. Cover can include public and products liability from £2 million to £10 million, employer’s liability of £10 million, business interruption, goods in transit, deterioration of stock, money on premises, property cover, essential employee and exhibition cover.
6. ACE Insurance
Some of the features and benefits of ACE Insurance’s shop insurance.
- Business insurance suitable for shops
- Suited to wheels based or premise-based businesses
- Tailored policy
- Business protection insurance against losses
- Public liability
- Employer’s liability
- Product liability
- Goods in transit
- Peace of mind insurance
- Affordable quotes
ACE Insurance specialises in small business insurance that gives protection against losses and claims for injury and property damage. They offer tailored insurance packages that are designed to meet the needs of the specific businesses which includes business insurance for shops and offices which can be based in premises or on wheels.
ACE Insurance’s business insurance offers a range of liability cover and goods in transit cover to protect your business. Public and product liability insurance to protect you from claims from the public for injury or property damage from your business activities or product. Employer’s liability insurance which is a legal requirement if you have employees.
7. Allianz
Some of the features and benefits of Allianz’s shop insurance.
- Complete Retailer
- Covers a wide range of businesses including shops and restaurants
- Public and product liability
- Employer’s liability
- Trade contents
- Money cover
- Goods in transit
- Deterioration of stock
- Business interruption
- Commercial legal expenses
Allianz offers tailored business insurance to small businesses to meet all their insurance needs. Their packages include Complete Retailer which is designed to meet the needs of a variety of independent retail businesses including food retailers and restaurants at single or multiple sites.
Allianz’s Complete Retailer is a flexible product which includes public and product liability covers up to £2 million with the option to increase to £5 million, and employer’s liability up to £10 million. Their cover can include trade contents up to £750,000 per site, money, goods in transit of £10,000, deterioration of stock at £5,000, business interruption and commercial legal expenses up to £1 million.
8. Ageas
Some of the features and benefits of Ageas’ shop insurance.
- Shopkeeper Insurance
- Suited to small family businesses to multi-chain businesses
- All-in-one insurance package
- Property insurance
- Public, product and employer’s liability insurance
- Goods in transit
- Deterioration of stock
- Loss of licence
- Legal expenses
- Available only through a broker
Ageas offers a range of business insurance through a network of independent brokers. They offer a variety of specialist insurance products that are designed to meet the needs of trades and professions such as Shopkeepers Insurance. This cover is designed for retailers who are small concerns or multi-site businesses.
Ageas’ Shopkeeper Insurance was created as an all-in-one insurance package which allows you to choose your own cover. It can include a range of liability cover such as public and product liability as well as employer’s liability. They also cover property, goods in transit, deterioration of stock, loss of licence, legal expenses, business interruption and fidelity guarantee.
9. NFU Mutual
Some of the features and benefits of NFU Mutual’s shop insurance.
- Retailer’s Insurance
- Flexible cover with a range of optional extras
- Public, product, employer’s and environmental liability
- Contents and stock
- Goods in transit
- Money and malicious attack
- Business interruption
- Buildings cover
- Deterioration of stock
- Commercial legal expenses
NFU Mutual is an insurance provider that is run for the benefit of its members. It offers a variety of packaged insurance products that are tailored to meet the needs of specific trades and professions such as Retailer’s Insurance.
NFU Mutual’s Retailer’s Insurance offers flexible cover that can be tailored with a range of optional extras. Their standard cover includes liability insurance for public, product, employers and environmental liability. It also covers contents and stock, goods in transit, money and malicious attack and business interruption. Optional cover includes buildings, deterioration of stock, commercial legal expenses, group personal accident and terrorism cover.
10. Lloyds Bank
Some of the features and benefits of Lloyds Bank’s shop insurance.
- Dedicated shop insurance
- A policy that can be tailored to your needs
- Suited to businesses that sell a variety of goods
- Public liability insurance
- Employer’s liability
- Buildings insurance
- Stock cover
- Goods in transit
- Business interruption
- Provided in partnership with Arthur J. Gallagher
Lloyds Bank is an insurance provider that offers a variety of business insurance products in partnership with Arthur J. Gallagher, a leading UK business insurance provider. They provide a range of standalone insurance products as well as combined packages that are tailored to meet the needs of certain trades and professions such as shop insurance.
Lloyds Bank’s shop insurance is suitable for a variety of retail businesses and the policy can be tailored to meet your needs. The cover includes public liability insurance, employer’s liability insurance, buildings cover, stock cover, goods in transit and business interruption insurance.
11. Liberty Mutual
Some of the features and benefits of Liberty Mutual’s shop insurance.
- Retail insurance
- Suited to local shop owners through to large national retailers
- Public liability insurance
- Employer’s liability
- Stock cover
- Property
- Business specific cover
- Liquor or druggist liability
- Spoilage or food contamination
- Available only through an independent agent or broker
Liberty Mutual is an insurance provider who offers a broad range of business insurance products through a network of independent agents and brokers. They offer business protection products as standalone cover or as combined packages tailored to specific business needs such as retail insurance.
Liberty Mutual’s retail insurance is designed to meet the needs of a variety of retail businesses from small to large national retailers. They offer cover to protect you from liabilities from public and employee claims as well as specialist cover for liquor or drug retailers. They also cover stock, property and spoilage or food contamination.
12. Chubb
Some of the features and benefits of Chubb’s shop insurance.
- Retail insurance
- Suited to mid-corporate and larger retailers
- Flexible policy
- Property insurance
- Public liability
- Employer’s liability
- Business interruption
- Computer hardware
- Data protection cover
- Offers a range of optional extras
Chubb is an insurance provider that offers a wide range of business insurance products which includes a variety of combined packages that are tailored to the needs of specific trades and professions. This range includes retail insurance.
Chubb’s retail insurance is designed for mid-corporates to larger retailers and it is a flexible policy that can be tailored to meet your business needs. Their policy includes public and employer’s liability, property insurance, business interruption, computer hardware and data protection. Their optional cover includes supply chain protection, personal injury, denial of access, pollution liability, loss of attraction and corporate manslaughter defence costs.
13. Covea
Some of the features and benefits of Covea’s shop insurance.
- Specialist Shop Insurance
- Flexible solution
- Suited to retailers and salons
- Accidental damage
- Public and employer’s liability insurance
- Contents
- Goods in transit
- Money cover
- Personal accident and assault cover
- Business interruption
Covea offers a range of business insurance products through a network of brokers or their e-trade portal for smaller businesses. They offer a variety of tailored insurance products, which includes their Shop Insurance which is designed for retailers and salons with either single site or multiple sites.
Covea’s Shop Insurance is a flexible insurance product that can be tailored to meet your business needs. Their standard cover includes public liability with a choice of £2 or 5 million cover, employer’s liability at £10 million, accidental damage, contents, goods in transit, money, personal accident, assault and business interruption. It includes seasonal stock increases and glass cover.
14. Hiscox
Some of the features and benefits of Hiscox’s shop insurance.
- Retail and Shop Insurance
- Tailored cover
- Loss or damage cover
- Contents
- Stock, fixtures and fittings
- Goods in transit
- Cover at your premises or from home
- Public and product liability insurance
- Money cover
- Covers accusations of libel or slander
Hiscox is an insurance provider offering a wide range of business insurance products that can be purchased as standalone cover or as combined products that are tailored to meet the needs of your trade or profession. This cover includes Retail and Shop Insurance.
Hiscox’s Retail and Shop Insurance is a tailored policy as not every shop is the same and therefore your cover needs to be as unique as you. Their cover can provide protection against loss or damage of contents, money, stock, fixtures and fittings, and they offer cover at your premises, at employee’s homes and in transit. They also include public and product liability insurance as standard.
15. Travelers
Some of the features and benefits of Travelers’ shop insurance.
- Offers a range of insurance products suited to shops
- Select the cover you need
- Combine cover to get a discount
- Public and products liability insurance
- Employer’s liability
- Contents insurance
- Building cover
- Legal expenses
- Loss of licence insurance
- Business interruption
Travellers is an insurance provider that has created a range of business insurance products designed to meet the needs of specific trades and professions. They offer a choice of standalone insurance products as well as tailored combined packages or section specific cover that can be combined to get discounts, such as shop insurance.
Travelers’ shop insurance offers a range of insurance products that are suited to retailers which enables them to select the cover they require. Their cover includes public and product liability with a choice of cover of £5 or 10 million, employer’s liability, contents cover, buildings insurance, legal expenses, loss of licence, business interruption and terrorism cover.
16. NIG
Some of the features and benefits of NIG’s shop insurance.
- Dedicated Shop Insurance
- Covers a broad range of shops and salons
- Public and employer’s liability insurance
- Contents cover
- Good in transit
- Money
- Personal accident and assault
- Glass cover
- Business interruption
- Offers a range of optional covers
NIG has a wide range of business insurance products that are combined packages that are designed for specific trades and professions. Their range of insurance packages includes Shop Insurance which caters for a broad range of retailers and salons.
NIG’s Shop Insurance’s standard cover includes public liability of £2 million, employer’s liability of £10 million, contents up to £1 million, glass, goods in transit up to £2,000, money, fixed signs, loss of income, equipment breakdown, personal accident and business interruption. Optional cover includes extended cover amounts on the standard cover, buildings, specified all risks, loss of licence, hair and beauty treatments, commercial legal expenses and terrorism.
17. ARO Insurance
Some of the features and benefits of ARO Insurance’s shop insurance.
- Retail Package insurance product
- Covers catering, retail, hotels, public houses, hair and beauty
- Public and products liability insurance
- Employer’s liability
- Contents, stock, fixtures and fittings
- Material damage
- Glass breakage
- Money
- Frozen foods
- Property in transit
ARO Insurance offers business insurance products that combined packages of insurance that are designed to meet the needs of small businesses and property owners. Their combined insurance products include the Retail Package which is designed for catering, retail and other businesses.
ARO Insurance’s Retail Package offers public and product liability cover of £2 or £5 million, employer’s liability of £10 million, contents, stock, fixtures and fittings, material damage, glass breakage, money, frozen foods, property in transit and business interruption. They also offer optional cover including building and tenants’ improvements, loss of licence, theft by employee, business machinery all risks and terrorism.
18. Glemham Insurance
Some of the features and benefits of Glemham Insurance’s shop insurance.
- Business Insurance
- Suited to retailers, distributors and wholesalers
- Only available to larger retailers
- General liabilities
- Property damage
- Business interruption
- Goods in transit
- Money and assault
- Business all risks
- Commercial legal expenses
Glemham Insurance is an insurance provider that offers business insurance to larger businesses that have put in place risk management controls. They offer a range of packaged insurance products that are designed to meet the needs of a broad array of businesses, such as their Business Insurance which is suited to larger retailers.
Glemham Insurance’s Business Insurance covers general liabilities up to £10 million, property damage, business interruption, goods in transit, money and assault, computers, frozen foods, business all risks, business interruption, personal accident and loss of licence. They offer optional cover including professional indemnity and excess layer liability insurance.
Financial Disclosure: We may be paid a fee if you purchase insurance via the Simply Business link at the top of this page.
FAQ
What insurance do I need for my shop?
Whether you have a physical store or have a shop online, you will need insurance. The type of insurance you need will be determined by the size of your company and how it works on a day-to-day basis.
In-store retail business insurance, often known as retail and shop insurance, protects you, your business, and any employees. Cybersecurity insurance for online retailers protects you if your website is hacked and you lose sales. Certain insurers cover both online and brick-and-mortar enterprises.
What is a retail insurance policy?
Retail insurance comprises several coverage options for both brick-and-mortar businesses and online retailers. Retail insurance provides extensive coverage for many enterprises, including florists, hairdressers, and craft and apparel stores.
However, since each store has unique obstacles, you should consider the risks associated with your company. Then you might consider the retail insurance options available to you.
Types of shop insurance
Employers’ liability insurance
If you employ people to assist you in running your business, this coverage is almost always a legal obligation. It protects you against the legal fees associated with an employee filing a claim for compensation costs for an accident or sickness caused by your business.
Business contents insurance
Also known as stock insurance, you can protect the contents of your worksite and the business equipment. If any of these objects are damaged, destroyed, lost, or stolen, this insurance will cover the cost of replacement or repair.
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance is critical if your firm provides advice to other companies, provides a professional service to them, or if you deal with client data or intellectual property. If you make a mistake in your job and your customer sues you, your professional indemnity insurance will cover any compensation claims and legal expenses.
Business legal protection insurance
Even if you are the most cautious store owner, legal action may still be launched against you, or you may wind up bringing legal action against yourself – and legal bills are not inexpensive.
If you find yourself defending yourself (or even paying prosecution costs) in situations such as employment tribunals, HMRC tax inquiries, or civil lawsuits brought under the Data Protection Act, this policy may cover your legal bills.
Business interruption insurance
You would be unable to trade after a catastrophe such as a fire. Your shop would suffer a revenue loss, leaving you unable to pay your staff and jeopardising your shop’s survival.
Since many businesses close during such hard times, having business interruption insurance may be the difference between survival and closure.
What is product liability insurance?
If your company creates, produces, or distributes physical products, you may want this insurance cover. Even if you trust and stand by your product, there’s still the possibility that it’s defective.
Product liability insurance protects and covers you in the event that a customer is harmed as a consequence of a defective product you supply. Even if you did not create the goods, you might be held accountable for damages.
What is shop front insurance?
Shop front insurance, also known as building business insurance, often covers your fixtures and fittings, and most insurers will also cover the front of your business.
This should be the top priority for every retail business owner. Business buildings insurance may cover the cost of restoring damage to the structure of your property – however, if you rent, check with your landlord to see what is already covered.
Can you insure windows?
When properly installed and maintained, shop windows and signage may serve as the best free publicity for any small company. It’s a showcase for your items, a way to attract notice and drive customers through the door.
Plate glass insurance protects against damage to or breaking of big panes of glass, such as those used in storefront windows. Accidental breaking of glass occurring on the insured’s premises due to any reason other than those explicitly excluded in the policy is covered by the plate-glass insurance.
How much is insurance for a shop in the UK?
Retail shop insurance premiums may vary from £6 to over £1,000 per month, depending on the degree of protection required and the business’s risk exposures.
What is the difference between personal and public liability insurance?
Public liability insurance
If your company comes into contact with members of the public, whether on your premises or elsewhere, public liability insurance is a must-have. It may protect you against compensation claims from clients, customers, suppliers, or other third parties for harm or damage.
Personal accident insurance
This type of insurance may assist you in the event of an accident, with insurers often giving coverage both within and outside of work hours. The money handed out might help you with medical and other bills that you may be unable to pay due to the accident.