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Shop Insurance
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Shop insurance from 82p a day*
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Bionic provides business insurance for small business, like retail shops
Get cover to protect against claims from employees, customers and more. No unnecessary extras
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What is...
shop insurance?
Whether your shop is along a high street, trading estate or in a bustling local area you should still consider the right insurance. Shop insurance is designed for retail shops and includes various covers that protect your business from claims and risks.
It could include cover protect your premises, employees, customers, and stock, providing peace of mind so you can focus on what's most important — running your business.
You can reduce the likelihood of a customer slipping and falling, but you can't prevent it. Likewise, you can install the latest security but stockroom theft from break-ins can still happen. In fact, a review by the FYSJ suggests 18% of workplace fires reported were from a retail premises in 2024/2025, demonstrating the risks retail faces due to stock, fire hazards and more.
Who needs shop insurance?
Whether you have a single shop or multiple locations, you should consider protecting your building, stock, employees and customers. All shops should consider shop insurance, we can provide quotes for the following and many others:
- Clothing shops
- Newsagents
- Florists
- Jewellers
- Bookshops
- Bike shops
- Giftshops
If your shop type isn't listed, it’s likely we can still help. We can cover over 6,000 business types — start a quote online to see your options.
What does shop 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 shop insurance package could include:
Employers’ liability insurance
If someone working for you gets ill or injured doing work on your behalf. A legal requirement if you have employees.
Public liability insurance
In case you injure someone or damage something while providing your services. For example, slipping on a wet floor.
Product liability insurance
In case a product you have sold, manufactured, or designed injures someone or damages something
Commercial building insurance
To protect business premises you own, whether you're using it, renting it out or if a lease requires it
Business interruption insurance
Provides compensation if material damage stops your business from running normally, for example fire or flood.
Stock and contents insurance
Provides cover for stock, including food & drink supplies, against theft or damage by fire or other insured events.
Start a quote online
Or speak to one of our team on 0800 032 7925
Find out why your business needs insurance from Les, our Business Comparison Expert.
What other covers might be available?
Depending on the type of shop you own, you might also want to consider the following:
- Legal cover - This can help with legal fees when involved in legal action against a third party. For example, a customer claims a toy you sold them was faulty, caused harm and takes you to court.
- Glass cover - This might be included as part of any commercial buildings insurance policy, but it’s worth checking in case damage to shop’s front windows isn’t covered. It may also be worth looking into ‘shop front’ insurance to cover damage to signs or other shop front adornments.
- Loss of licence cover - If you run a business that is licensed to sell alcohol, this insurance will help cover you for the loss of income or drop in the value of your business because of losing your license to sell alcohol on the premises.
- Cyber Insurance - To help protect you, if you are hacked or suffer a data breach
- Equipment breakdown cover— Protects your business against losses if expensive equipment and machinery gets stolen or damaged by an insured event.
What isn’t covered by shop insurance?
When sorting insurance for your shop, it's important to check for any policy exclusions so you can take out any extra cover if necessary. Look out for the following exclusions:
- Intentional damage – Damage caused on purpose isn’t covered.
- Neglect – Failing to maintain or secure your workspace can void your policy.
- General wear and tear – Normal ageing or wear on your equipment isn’t included.
Insurers and policies vary per provider, double-check your own policy details or speak to our team if you have any questions about what’s covered and what isn’t.
How much does shop insurance cover cost?
Prices could start from around 82p a day*.
It’s difficult to determine your costs without speaking to a broker, this is because your business is unique and price depends on several factors, including:
- Size - A bigger shop will usually mean bigger claims, which means higher premium prices.
- Location – As with home insurance, the location of your shop can affect the price you pay for cover. Areas seen as a higher risk will come with higher premiums.
- Extent of cover — The more cover you require, the more expensive your package will likely be.
- Your insurer — Individual insurers pricing may vary, depending on your business activities, claims history and trading experience
- Having speciality stock – If you sell valuable or specialist items, these will cost more or be more difficult to replace. This will be reflected in the price of your premium.
- Licensing – Having an alcohol licence means your shop has additional risks involved. Insurers will charge more to cover these risks.
- Claims history — If you’ve made a previous claim on your policy or had claims made against you, it may affect your future premiums.
*This price is for a shops and salons policy – 10% of customers who were sold with one of our panel providers paid £300.23 or less annually (excluding any additional administration fees) between 01/01/25 & 31/12/2025. Equivalent to £25.02 a month or £0.82 a day (and excludes the extra costs for paying monthly). Your actual policy and price may vary depending on your business requirements.
Why choose shop insurance with Bionic
At Bionic, we support UK business owners. We know that a one-size-fits all insurance isn’t always the best option, that’s why we use a team of knowledgeable insurance brokers who work with a panel of trusted insurers to help you find coverage that fits your needs.
Our UK-based team cuts through the jargon and helps business owners daily. They’re on hand to talk you through your options. Get in touch with us today by starting a shop insurance quote online now.
Compare business insurance quotes
Or speak to one of our team on 0800 032 7925
How Bionic business insurance comparison works
Compare 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 through any questions with our team.
What do I need to get started?
You only need a few details to get started with getting a free business insurance 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
Shop Insurance FAQs
Do you need shop insurance for an online shop?
You might not need shop insurance specifically, but you may want to consider online business insurance instead. Just because you don't have a physical shop front doesn't mean you won't run into issues. For example, a fire breaks out in your warehouse and puts your stock at risk, or an employee gets injured moving heavy boxes.
Still not sure? Start a quote online now and our insurance team will be on-hand to support.
What insurance do I need for a shop?
If you run a shop, in the UK, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement if you employ anyone. This also includes part-time or even temporary staff. Other covers may not be a legal requirement, but could be considered essential. For example - public liability for shops which could help if a customer were to slip or trip on your premises, causing injury to themselves or third party property damage, for example.
What should you consider declaring when getting a quote?
When sorting your shop insurance, it’s important to check for any policy exclusions so you can take out any extra cover if necessary. Look out for the following exclusions:
- Manual work away – Shops insurance provides cover on your specific premises, so if any of your income comes from work away from the premises – say you run a showroom for fitted wardrobes and installation is part of your business – you may need extra cover.
- Break-ins and damage to property – Your insurer will specify the security measures you need to have in place as part of your property and may not pay out on claims made for theft that have been as a result of doors or windows being unlocked. You should check your insurance documentation carefully to make sure you comply with the security required for your property.
- Serving food - If you cook and serve food from your shop, your public liability insurance should cover you for any potential illness caused by your cooking. But you may need additional insurance to cover the extra risk posed by equipment like fryers.
Is shop insurance a legal requirement?
Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement for UK business who employ anyone, and you could face a fine of up to £2,500 for every day you trade without it. Other types of cover included in shop insurance — such as public liability, contents, and business interruption cover cover — are not required by law, but should be considered as part of your insurance to help protect against the risks you might face. You may be left to pay out of your own pocket, if you aren’t protected with the right cover.
What's the difference between shop insurance and commercial combined insurance?
Shop insurance includes a range of standard covers like public liability, stocks and contents, liabilities, business interruption and legal expenses. Whilst commercial combined is a bespoke policy for a business where you don’t get anything as standard, you build the policy you need with help from a broker. Policies vary per insurer and limits and exclusions apply. Always speak to your own broker if you need support.
Does shop insurance cover shoplifting?
Shoplifting is not covered on a stock and contents policy. For example, when a customer steals an item off a shelf and walks out. Stock and contents cover can include theft, but this is when there is a break-in due to forced entry. Limits and exclusions apply. Always check your own policy wording to see what is and isn’t included and speak to a broker if you are unsure.
Can I get shop insurance if I rent my premises?
If you rent, buildings insurance is normally your landlord's responsibility — not yours - unless your contract with the landlord requires you to insure the buildings. But you’ll still need to consider cover for your employees, contents, stock, and more. If your landlord takes out a policy, it won’t cover your business activities, employees or customers. Learn more about landlord vs tenant responsibility.
How quickly can you get cover?
Depending on the insurance policy and your specific business needs, you can often get cover the same day you apply.
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