Business insurance for online retailers and e-commerce

Our insurance for online retailers is designed for businesses that sell physical goods over the internet. While these businesses may occasionally sell products in a face-to-face environment, this policy isn't intended for businesses that have a permanent physical location.

Products in transit can be covered, but this depends on your specific policy and circumstances. Standard contents insurance typically covers stock while it's at your business premises and may not automatically include goods being transported. If you regularly ship high-value items or large volumes of stock, consider discussing transit cover with your insurer. 

Some couriers also offer their own goods-in-transit insurance, though this may have limitations. It's worth understanding who is responsible for goods at each stage of the delivery process and ensuring appropriate cover is in place.

Business insurance policies can cover your online retail activities regardless of where you sell your products. Whether you operate through your own e-commerce website, sell through online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, eBay, or use a combination of platforms, your insurance can protect your business operations. 

It's important to inform your insurer about all the sales channels you use to ensure your policy covers your business model. Some marketplaces may also have their own insurance requirements or recommendations for sellers.

This depends on your policy terms and the extent of your international operations. Some business insurance policies designed for UK-based online retailers will cover domestic sales and may extend to international sales. 

If you sell to customers overseas or generate international revenue, you should discuss this with your insurer when setting up your policy. Selling internationally can bring additional risks, including different product standards, shipping complexities, and varying consumer protection laws, so it may be worth checking that your cover extends to these activities.

You likely need specific business insurance, even if you run your e-commerce business entirely from home. 

If you store stock at home, use rooms as a workspace, or have business visitors such as couriers collecting parcels, you should have the appropriate business insurance in place. 

Managing your self-employed finances includes ensuring you have the right insurance protection from the start.

Many online retailers expand beyond digital-only sales by attending remote events. These activities are typically covered by public liability insurance, as they involve face-to-face contact with customers and the public. 

Informing your insurer about your plans to attend events can be very useful, as the type of events you attend and how often you go may affect your policy. Public liability insurance at events covers you if a customer is injured at your stall or if you accidentally damage property at the venue. This provides essential protection when you're taking your online business into physical spaces.

This insurance policy is designed for online retailers that buy in or hand-make high-quality products and operate on a legitimate basis with reputable suppliers. This cover is designed to protect online businesses if something unanticipated occurs, not those that willingly enter into business with a dubious source of product supply. Our products liability cover cannot be extended to the latter.