Why do grocers need insurance?
Spillage slip
Limiting plastic packaging and trying to be as eco-friendly as possible is a USP of your independent grocery store. Food produce largely comes loose or in glass jars and bottles – so, when someone drops a bottle of plant-based milk, it causes a smash and a spillage. If a customer slips before you put out the right signs and clean up, you could be blamed for an injury they sustain. Public liability insurance can help a grocers with the cost of legal defence and compensation payments.
Cashier injury
One of your payment counters needs maintenance for loose fittings and a wobbly stool, but during busy periods you need all tills open to keep things moving. However, if a cashier falls when the stool seat snaps off, they could hurt their back and need medical treatment. Employers’ liability insurance may help with the cost of defending your grocery shop and also for resulting settlement orders if the employee decides to file a claim for the injury.
Stolen stock
Your business needs fresh food for display stands, and you also order in specific items for regulars. Keeping stock safe is a huge part of a grocer’s service, so if you suffered a theft, the repercussions could be damaging without insurance. If your small storeroom is broken into, this may come at a high cost. With business contents insurance, help is at hand to replace items that are taken from you, including stock and money stored on the premises.
What insurance is available for grocers?
Public liability insurance
Working with customers in a grocery shop comes with risks that public liability insurance can offer protection against. Anyone can say that they suffered an injury or that their property was damaged due to your business. If a fruit display falls and injures someone, or you spill fresh juice on a customer’s expensive suede shoes, you could find yourself in court. With a public liability policy, you can have the reassurance of up to £10 million in legal costs, expenses and compensation cover.
Employers’ liability insurance
When you have employees, their workplace health and safety is your responsibility. In fact, having an employers’ liability policy is a legal requirement (external link) for most UK businesses with staff. Your part-time cleaner might develop a respiratory complaint due to the products you provide. A casual shelf stacker might injure their back lifting boxes, or a full-time cashier could even complain of repetitive strain injury. Should any of these decide to claim for their workplace injury or illness, this insurance can help with the cost of legal defence and settlement.
Property insurance
Insurance for your premises, contents and stock could provide important protection for your grocers’ shop. The right property cover could depend on your specific business circumstances, though. Commercial property insurance for buildings may help cover you against damage to the building itself, while business contents insurance protects stock, fixtures and fittings and other owned items. There’s cover for portable kit if you sometimes run a stall – plus equipment breakdown insurance.
Independent grocers may find personal accident insurance reassuring, while cyber and data cover can help with digital breaches and legal protection insurance can support with issues such as contractual disputes.
These are just some of the types of business insurance we offer for grocers. We can provide other cover types and build them into a policy tailored to the needs of your business.
Get your quoteInsurance for grocers: FAQs
What does grocery store insurance cover?
Grocery store insurance can cover several industry risks. A policy including public liability and employers’ liability insurance can protect your business against the impact of accidents, personal property damage, injuries and illness involving both members of the public and employees.
Cover for property can help with theft, plus damage to grocery shop premises and stock.
Hiscox grocers’ insurance may also cover a range of stores, including:
- Farm shops
- Organic food shops
- Health food stores
- Greengrocers
- Delicatessens
Since we tailor policies to each business type, we can cover a variety of food shops – so even if your store type isn’t listed, get in touch with our insurance experts for a quote.
How much does it cost to insure a grocery store?
The amount it will cost to insure your grocery store depends on the size and type of your shop, plus the number of insurance types you buy.
Cover limits will also make a difference to the cost of your policy. For example, grocers with a storeroom would likely set a higher contents insurance limit to cover the extra stock.
Read the Hiscox FAQ guide to learn more about how much business insurance costs.
Can I insure my grocer shop against theft?
Adding the appropriate property cover to a grocery store insurance policy can cover your business in the event of theft.
Hiscox business contents insurance includes theft that happens both during and outside of regular business hours. Even when there’s no evidence of forced entry to your grocers, losses can be covered by this type of insurance.
Setting cover limits according to the stock you have at the premises can also help.
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