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Online retailer insurance
Compare quotes for your e-commerce business
Business insurance for online businesses and e-commerce
Protect against claims by customers and suppliers
Bionic is the comparison site for your small business
We compare a vetted panel of trusted business suppliers
Bionic specialises in business insurance for small businesses, like online retailers
Get tailored cover to protect against claims from employees, customers & more
Get the protection you need with no needless extras
What is...
online retailer insurance?
From art and crafts to customisable wedding favours and everything in between, if you’re selling through your own website or third-party platforms, sufficient e-commerce business insurance is essential.
You never know what risks you might run into - faulty products that cause harm or your warehouse could get flooded and force you to temporarily stop trading.
E-commerce business insurance can help protect your online business and helps you cover unexpected costs from an insured event, providing peace of mind so you can focus on shipping out orders.
Why do online retailers need insurance?
Any business selling online will run into risks, for example:
- A customer claims your products caused harm
- A fire or disaster disrupts your warehouse operations
You can never predict what might happen to your online business, so it’s essential to have sufficient insurance in place to help protect your business and your bank account if something were to go wrong and you’re left to pay up.
What does online retailer insurance cover?
Policies will vary per provider, and terms and conditions apply, so always check the small print in your policy wording to see what’s included and excluded. Your insurance package could include:
Employers’ liability insurance
In case an employee gets ill or injured because of the work they do for you. A legal requirement if you have employees.
Product liability insurance
In case a product you have sold, manufactured, or designed injures someone or damages something
Public liability insurance
In case you injure someone or damage something while providing your services
Stock and contents insurance
In case your stock or equipment is stolen or damaged by flood or fire.
Business interruption insurance
Covers lost income if you have to close due to a covered event, like a fire or flood.
How much does online retailer insurance cost?
Because not all e-commerce businesses are the same, it’s difficult to give a solid figure for what you’ll be paying annually. The costs really depend on a number of factors, including:
- Size - The more stock you hold and sell, the bigger your business, which means higher premium prices.
- Having speciality stock – If you sell valuable or specialist items like unique machinery or expensive jewellery, these will cost more or be more difficult to replace. This will be reflected in the price of your premium.
- Number of staff - Having more staff members means more chance of claims being made. This means higher premiums.
- Claims history - Whether or not you’ve had previous claims made against your business or you have made a claim yourself might affect your premiums.
What if you also have a premises?
If you have a property or a shop alongside your online business, you could consider insuring your building.
If you own your property, you’ll want to consider getting property insurance. This can help protect your business against weather, fire, vandalism, and theft. If you rent a premises, your landlord should sort this out for you.
Do you need cover to sell on third-party platform?
This depends. If you are self-employed or run a business with no employees, then there is no legal obligation to have insurance to sell on these platforms, but it’s a good idea to consider it.
You never know what risks you may run into when selling online. You could run into issues with customers complaining and trying to sue you over false product claims, which could be costly. Having online retailers’ insurance in place will protect you and help cover the costs of any legal fees and compensation.
We can help sort out insurance if selling on these platforms is part of your business.
Get your online retail business sorted with Bionic
At Bionic, we champion UK business owners as they’re the backbone of the UK economy and want to help in every way we can. That’s why we use a team of knowledgeable insurance brokers who work with a panel of trusted insurers to find you the right cover.
Our UK-based team helps business owners daily to carry out a business insurance comparison to find the right insurer that fits. Get in touch with us today.
E-commerce isn't risk-free. Online retailer insurance can protect you from employee claims to unexpected business disruptions so you can focus on shipping orders.
Insurance Director, James Barwell
How Bionic business Insurance comparison works
Compare business insurance quotes in three simple steps
1
Start your quote online
Speed up the process by submitting basic business details online – whenever you have time.
2
Speak to our UK-based team
Schedule a call with one of our insurance brokers to discuss the details to ensure they’re correct.
3
Compare tailored quotes
Get your quotes from our panel of trusted insurers and talk any questions through with our team.
What do I need to get started?
You only need a few details to get started with getting a quote online, so it’s best to have the following information ready to go:
Your business name and trade
Your policy start date
Your name and contact details to receive your quote options
You may be asked additional questions about business activities
Online Retailer Insurance FAQs
Our team shares essential knowledge on business insurance
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How does business interruption insurance work?
Business Interruption insurance is a type of cover designed to protect your business if a disaster or event means you are unable to trade.
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