Shop and Retail Insurance

Shop Insurance

Just as Shops Come in all Sorts of Shapes and Sizes, our Flexible Insurance Policies do too.

Your shop liability insurance doesn’t just protect you, it also protects your staff and customers too. Making sure that your shop is protected against unforeseen circumstances will give you the peace of mind you need to continue serving your community.

How do we Choose the Right Insurance Policy for Your Shop?

We understand that as a shop owner you can be rushed off your feet, with little time to search for insurance and find the best deal. That’s why we’re here to do it for you. We listen carefully to your needs and arrange the most appropriate insurance to protect your business at the right price.

What’s more, as a broker we have access to a wide range of flexible policies from leading UK and specialist insurers that can be tailored to your needs. As a result, you won’t be limited to the features of a standard shop liability insurance policy and can run your business with the peace of mind that you are protected.

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91% of our customers would recommend our service

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Cover available for shops**

  • Accidental damage.

  • Book debts/accounts receivable.

  • Buildings cover.

  • Business interruption.

  • Contents cover.

  • Embedded machinery breakdown.

  • Employers liability.

  • Glass.

  • Goods in transit.

  • Legal expenses.

  • Loss of rent receivable.

  • Money at home of insured or authorised employee.

  • Money on premises or in safe.

  • Money on the premises outside business hours.

  • Public and products liability.

  • Subsidence.

  • Tenants improvements.

  • Terrorism.

Premiums from as little as

£375 .46

In the past 12 months our customers have paid as little as £375.46 per annum for shop and retail insurance.

50% of our shop and retail customers paid less than £808.81 per annum.

What Kind of Shop Insurance do you Cover?

We cover all sorts of shops including grocers, off-licences, pet shops, clothes shops and florists. If you’re unsure whether we cover your trade, just get in touch on 0330 134 4564 and our team will be happy to help.

How Much Does the Average Shop Insurance Policy Cost?

The cost of your policy will depend on your needs. Our policies are flexible and can be adapted to fit your requirements, so whether you’re a small village shop or a large, out-of-town retailer we can match you with the right policy. Multiple options may be available from our panel of insurers – each with different features and prices. In this case, we will present you with the quotes, and advise you if required, so you can make an informed decision on which policy is best for you.

* Please click here to view our pricing disclaimer.

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

*** Data compared from 955 policies sold in 2022. 212 customers paid as little as £375.46. 

Frequently asked questions

As a business providing food to the public, you'll be adhering to the relevant health and safety and food production measures, but things can still go wrong. You need home baking public liability insurance to cover you if, for example, someone has an allergic reaction to your food and they make a claim against you. Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement, but it can cover the costs of any compensation due and legal fees associated with claims. 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. 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 charity shop in the event of a claim but are not compulsory. Your charity will likely to 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. 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. 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 costs of compensation. 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. Each bike shop has varying needs of protection depending on a number of factors. Your bike shop may have a complex range of bicycles ranging from road and cyclocross bikes to mountain and hybrid bikes. 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. 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.

91% of our customers would recommend our service

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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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