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WHICH SHOP INSURANCE COVER DO YOU NEED?
A Simple Retail Insurance Comparison
Retailers often hear terms like public liability, contents, stock, product liability and combined shop insurance - but the differences matter. This guide explains what each cover does, who needs it, and how to build a policy that matches your risks.
Public Liability Insurance (Retail)
Protects you if a customer or member of the public is injured or their property is damaged because of your business.
- Slips, trips and falls in-store
- Injury caused by displays, shelving or shop fittings
- Damage caused to third-party property
- Legal defence costs and compensation
- Often required by landlords, centres or event organisers
Contents Insurance (Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment)
Covers the physical assets inside your shop such as shelving, counters, signage, equipment and POS systems.
- Fixtures & fittings (counters, shelving, displays)
- Equipment (tills, EPOS, laptops, tools)
- Contents cover against fire, flood, theft & damage
- Tenants’ improvements (if you rent)
- Optional accidental damage extensions
Stock Insurance (Goods You Sell)
Protects your stock against insured events such as theft, fire, flood and malicious damage.
- Stock on shelves, in storage and back-of-house
- Seasonal/peak-period stock uplifts (where included)
- Theft, burglary & malicious damage
- Fire, flood and escape of water
- Optional cover for perishables/spoilage (food retailers)
Product Liability Insurance (Retail)
Protects you if a product you sell causes injury, illness or damage - especially important for own-brand/private-label and food.
- Claims for injury or damage caused by products
- Food poisoning/allergen-related claims (where applicable)
- Legal defence costs and compensation
- Higher exposure for importers and own-brand retailers
- Recall cover can be added for some risks
Combined Shop Insurance (All-in-One)
Combined shop insurance packages the most common covers into one policy - often the simplest and most cost-effective option.
- Public liability + contents + stock in one policy
- Employers’ liability (if you employ staff)
- Business interruption (loss of income)
- Money/cash cover and theft extensions
- Optional add-ons for food, recall, cyber or transit
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What insurance does a retailer typically need?
Most retailers need public liability, contents and stock cover. If you employ staff, employers’ liability is usually required, and many businesses add business interruption.
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Is public liability the same as product liability?
No. Public liability covers incidents related to your premises or operations (e.g., a customer slips). Product liability covers harm caused by products you sell.
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Do I need buildings insurance if I rent the shop?
Usually the landlord insures the building, but you may need cover for tenants’ improvements, contents and stock. Your lease will confirm responsibilities.
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Can I just insure stock and not contents?
You can, but most shops have valuable fixtures, fittings and equipment that should also be protected. Combined cover is often more practical.
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When should a retailer consider combined shop insurance?
Combined shop insurance is ideal when you need multiple covers (liability, contents and stock) and want them handled under one policy with consistent terms.
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What insurance does a retailer typically need?
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Is public liability the same as product liability?
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Do I need buildings insurance if I rent the shop?
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Can I just insure stock and not contents?
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When should a retailer consider combined shop insurance?