Off Licence Insurance

Off licences often have a unique set of hazards that standard insurance policies may not protect. We arrange bespoke insurance policies that offer extensive cover for all your needs.

We’re passionate about helping off licences like Your Convenience Store in Barrowford, Lancashire (pictured above) protect their shops. With access to a selection of UK insurers, we feel we are in an ideal position to be able to offer you a comprehensive insurance package, to suit your business needs. Please see the table below for some of the standard covers our insurers typically offer.

Please note we are unable to offer quotations to businesses located in Northern Ireland.

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Standard Covers**

  • Accidental damage

  • Book debts/account receivable

  • Business interruption

  • Contents insurance

  • Employers' liability

  • Glass

  • Money in safe

  • Money on premises

  • Public and products liability

Optional Covers**

  • Buildings cover

  • Embedded breakdown

  • Goods in transit

  • Legal expenses

  • Loss of licence

  • Loss of rent receivable

  • Subsidence

  • Tenants improvements

  • Terrorism

Premiums from as little as

£256 .60
In the past 12 months our customers have paid as little as £256.60 per annum for off licence insurance.

50% of our off-licence customers paid less than £702.10 per annum.***

You might not want to think about the worst happening, but as a business, it is important to mitigate any risks to your business. This is especially true when you run an off licence as it carries its own particular set of risks.

Business insurance can protect your business from a variety of possible situations; and offers a wide range of covers.

One of the most common covers is public liability, which provides cover for your liability for injury or damage to third parties. Another important cover is employers liability, covering you for your liability should any of your employees become ill or injured as a result of working for you. Off licences should also ensure they are protected by loss of alcohol licence cover. This can provide you with cover if you happen to lose your licence through no fault of your own.

To find out more about the right kind of insurance for your needs, please make sure that you speak with a broker. They can help you evaluate what type and level of cover you require for your business.

About the Off Licence Industry

Unlike other retail stores which sell alcohol, off licences cater for the specific needs of this market. They may be specialists in world wines, beer, or spirits and the place to go when we need advice for a special present or dinner party.

Often, they are more than just sellers of alcohol; they can provide tobacco, snacks, and other essentials too.

If you do decide to open a small, niche off licence, or perhaps a larger chain store in a franchise, you will need to take the time to research into the appropriate licences that you should have and the legislation affecting your chosen business, to ensure that you are operating legally.

You will find that there are time restrictions in place for selling alcohol, and of course, you should always remember to check the identification of anyone whose age you are unsure of.

* Please click here to view our pricing disclaimer.

** Standard and optional cover may differ dependent upon insurer.

*** Data compared from 62 policies sold in 2020.

Frequently asked questions

Different types of charity shops have varying needs of protection. For example, your charity shop may sell everything from clothing and books, to electrical items such as televisions and sound systems, or you may need cover for fundraising events and activities. The policies that you include in your charity's insurance package may be influenced by a number of factors, including the size and nature of your charity, and the work it carries out. Why not speak to one of our advisers and let them know your requirements, and we'll look for a policy that best suits your needs. If you have employees, by law you need employers liability insurance. This protects you if an employee becomes injured or seriously ill as a result of working for you. As you have members of the public filtering in and out of your charity shop, pubic liability insurance is essential. This cover will protect you if a shopper has an accident or stock is damaged as a result of you or your employee's negligence. For charity shops, stock insurance should be a high priority. Without your stock, you wouldn't be able to run your business. This type of cover protects you if your stock is damaged or stolen and needs replacing. As you constantly have members of the public filtering in and out of your supermarket, pubic liability insurance is essential. This cover will protect you if a shopper has an accident or their property is damaged as a result of you or your employee's negligence. If you have employees, by law you need employers liability insurance. This protects you if an employee becomes injured or seriously ill as a result of working for you. Stock insurance should be a high priority. Without your stock, you wouldn't be able to run your business. This type of cover protects you if your stock is damaged or stolen and needs replacing. It can also be increased around key dates when you would carry goods that are more expensive than usual, like at Christmas for example. Each supermarket has varying needs of protection. For example, your supermarket may have an onsite bakery or you may have a large amount of frozen stock that you need to insure. Speak to one of our advisers and let them know your requirements, and we'll look for a policy that best suits your needs. The cost of your insurance policy depends entirely on your needs. Our flexible policies can be adapted to fit your requirements and your budget too. For example, multiple options may be available from our panel of insurers - each with differing features and prices. We will find you several possibilities so you can make an informed decision on which option is best for you. Some types of insurance may be a legal requirement. Others will protect you and your supermarket in the event of a claim but are not compulsory. Not having the right insurance or inappropriate cover for your supermarket could be a false economy. For example, if you don't have public liability insurance and a customer trips over a box left on the floor you may be liable to pay costs of compensation. Therefore, it's important to consider all the risks facing your supermarket and match your insurance protection to your requirements which should provide you with peace of mind that a potential claim won't damage your business. Some types of insurance may be a legal requirement. Others will protect you and your bike shop in the event of a claim but are not compulsory. Not having the right insurance for your bike shop could be a false economy. For example, if you don't have public liability insurance and a customer trips over equipment or boxes on the floor, you may be liable to pay compensation costs. Therefore, it makes sense to match your insurance protection to your requirements which should provide you with peace of mind that a potential claim won't damage your business. Some types of insurance may be a legal requirement. Others will protect you and your charity shop in the event of a claim but are not compulsory. Your charity will likely be interacting with members of the public on a daily basis, which means there's a risk of your charity's activities causing injury, illness or property damage to a third party. If an unexpected situation occurs, then you could be held liable for the damage, and financially responsible for legal fees and compensation. Public liability insurance for charities could cover you in this situation. For bike shops, stock insurance should be a high priority, especially given the value of the products you are selling. Without your stock, you wouldn't be able to run your business. This type of cover protects you if your stock is damaged or stolen and needs replacing. It can also be increased around busier seasonal periods when you may offer bikes and equipment that are more expensive or exclusive.

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Wouldn’t go anywhere else! I have used smei for many years. I always get reminded when it’s that time again. I have always found them to be very helpful and they do try to get you the best deal.

Morag Ross

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