Insurance for shops and small retailers
A retail business lives on its stock, its storefront and its foot traffic — and each of those is a risk. A well-built BOP covers most of it; the rest is a short list of add-ons that depend on what you sell.
The core package
- Business owners policy — general liability for customer injuries and product claims, property for stock, fixtures, fit-out and signage, and business income if you're closed after a covered loss.
- Workers' compensation + DBL/PFL — mandatory with any staff. Retail is a low-rate class.
- Crime / employee dishonesty — theft by staff, forged checks, funds transfer fraud.
- Cyber — card data through your POS, customer records, online store.
Add-ons by what you sell
| If you sell… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Food, beverages, supplements, CBD | Product liability class review; spoilage; liquor liability for beer/wine sales |
| Clothing, gifts, home goods | Standard BOP; peak-season stock limits (raise limits before the holidays) |
| Jewelry, electronics, high-value goods | Theft sub-limits; jewellers block or scheduled property; alarm requirements |
| Bikes, e-bikes, sporting goods | Product liability for assembled or serviced goods; e-bike battery exposure |
| Anything with delivery or installation | Hired & non-owned auto; installation floater for goods in transit |
| Vape, tobacco, firearms | Restricted classes with a smaller carrier market; still placeable |
Your limit in November isn't your limit in June
If you carry three times the stock in Q4, a limit set on an average month leaves you underinsured when it matters most. Most BOPs include a seasonal increase (often 25%); for bigger swings we set a peak-season endorsement.
What carriers look at
- Type of merchandise and any products with elevated liability.
- Square footage, building age, sprinklers, alarm system.
- Stock value at peak, and fit-out you've paid for.
- Revenue, payroll, and whether you sell online or deliver.
- Claims history.
What I need to quote
- What you sell and roughly the revenue split if it varies.
- Address, square footage, own or lease, and the lease insurance clause.
- Stock, fixtures and equipment values.
- Annual revenue and payroll.
- Current policies and any claims.
Request a quote — for most shops I can turn around BOP options within a couple of days.
Common questions
Short answers to what people ask before they call.
Still have a question? Call (518) 902-8822 or book a call.
Is stock covered if it's stolen?
Theft by outsiders is covered by standard property cover (with a deductible). Theft by employees is not — that needs employee dishonesty / crime cover, an inexpensive add-on. Shoplifting losses discovered at inventory rather than tied to an event are generally not covered by either.
What is product liability and do I need it?
It's the part of general liability that covers injury or damage caused by something you sold, even if you didn't make it. It's included in GL and a BOP; the question is whether your products push you into a higher-risk class — supplements, CBD, e-bikes, children's goods, imported electronics. Tell me what you sell.
My landlord wants to be named on my policy. Is that normal?
Yes. Almost every retail lease requires general liability with the landlord as additional insured, and often specifies limits. It's a standard endorsement; send me the lease's insurance clause.
What about my online sales?
GL and product liability follow the product wherever it's sold. Shipping losses need transit cover, and taking card payments online increases your cyber exposure. All three are straightforward to add.
Get a quote for your business
Tell me what you do, where, and roughly what payroll looks like. Quotes come from the private carriers I represent, usually within days.
Where I work
I'm based in Clifton Park and work in person across six counties, the four on the map plus Warren and Washington, or by phone.
Close to the Clifton Park office: Clifton Knolls, Country Knolls, Rexford, Vischer Ferry, Jonesville, Groom's Corners and Halfmoon across Route 9 — I'll come to you at home.
Auto, home and business insurance by town
Medicare has its own county and town pages.