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Stock and contents
Declared saleable stock, shelving, tills, displays, furniture and business contents following insured damage or theft.
Shop and retail insurance
Shop Insurance for UK Retailers
Compare cover for stock, contents, customer liability, employees and interrupted trading—matched to what you sell and how your shop operates.
FCA-authorised broker
Independent and multi-site retailers
Cover subject to underwriting
On This Page
Working with insurer markets
Market access and cover availability depend on trade, disclosure, claims history, underwriting appetite and policy terms.
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- CHUBB
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- AXA
Build around the way you trade
Protect the stock, premises and income behind your shop
A retail policy can combine several sections. The right structure depends on the products sold, stock values, premises responsibilities, staffing and any online or service activity.
Public liability
Defence and covered compensation where a customer or member of the public alleges injury or property damage.
Employers’ liability
Cover for employee injury or illness claims; most UK employers are legally required to hold at least £5 million, subject to limited exemptions.
Business interruption
Selected loss of income or additional working costs after an insured event disrupts the shop.
Premises and glass
Buildings where you are responsible, plus tenant improvements, signs or glass where selected and correctly declared.
Product and cyber risks
Additional protection may be needed for imported or own-label goods, ecommerce, payment systems and customer data.
Retail models differ
One shop policy does not fit every retailer
Insurers need the actual trading model, not just a broad shop label.
Independent shops
High-street and local retailers with customer footfall, stock, contents and premises dependency.
Food and convenience
Retailers with refrigeration, food preparation, longer opening hours, alcohol or higher cash exposure.
Service-led retail
Salons, repairers and shops providing treatments or services alongside product sales.
Ecommerce and multi-site
Businesses combining stores, warehouses, online sales, deliveries or several locations.
Declare seasonal peaks and changes in what you sell.
Stock limits, high-value items, imported or own-label products, hot work, food preparation and online trading can materially change the risk. Do not rely on a generic retail description.
Prepare for underwriting
Information that helps insurers assess a retail risk
Clear values, premises details and trading information make quote comparisons more meaningful.
- Products sold, turnover and online sales split.
- Stock values, seasonal peaks and maximum single-item value.
- Premises tenure, construction and tenant improvements.
- Alarms, locks, shutters, CCTV and cash procedures.
- Staff numbers, payroll and use of contractors.
- Claims history, interruption needs and required limits.
Check the detail
Common areas that need separate attention
Exact restrictions vary by insurer and wording. These are common reasons a broad retail package may not respond as expected.
Wear and deterioration
Maintenance, gradual deterioration and ordinary spoilage are commonly excluded.
Unexplained shortages
Stock discrepancies without evidence of an insured event may not be covered.
Security conditions
Theft cover can depend on locks, alarms, shutters, cash limits and closing procedures.
Equipment breakdown
Mechanical or electrical failure, including refrigeration, may require a specific section.
Common questions
Shop Insurance for UK Retailers FAQs
What can shop insurance cover?
Depending on the policy, shop insurance can combine stock, contents, public liability, employers’ liability, product liability, money, theft and business interruption cover.
Is shop insurance legally required?
A complete shop package is not generally compulsory, but employers’ liability is normally required where the business employs staff, subject to limited exemptions. A landlord, lender or contract may impose other requirements.
Does a tenant need buildings insurance for a shop?
The landlord often insures the structure. A tenant should check the lease and may still need cover for contents, stock, signs, glass, tenant improvements, liabilities and interruption.
Can seasonal stock increases be insured?
Many policies can allow agreed seasonal increases, but the peak periods, amounts and any high-value stock should be declared accurately.
Does shop insurance cover online sales?
Not automatically. Ecommerce can add cyber, product, warehouse, transit and territorial exposures that need to be disclosed and covered appropriately.
What affects the cost of shop insurance?
Pricing can depend on trade, products, turnover, stock values, location, construction, security, staffing, claims history, opening hours and the covers and limits selected.
Compare shop and retail insurance quotes
Tell us what you sell, where you trade, the values at risk and how a closure would affect the business. We can help present the risk to relevant available markets.