Office and shop insurance

Office and Shop Insurance

Commercial insurance for offices and retail premises, including contents, stock, liability and interruption considerations.

Request a quote 0330 133 4386

Start with the exposure

Understand the exposure before comparing terms.

An office and a shop can share a building but have very different contents, stock, customer and trading exposures. We look at the premises, business activities and how a serious interruption would affect trading.

OAK VIEW

A useful review separates what the landlord insures from the contents, improvements and trading risks that belong to your business.

Cover to consider

Built from the risk outwards.

Availability and scope depend on insurer acceptance and the terms offered for your business.

Contents, stock and equipment

Office equipment, fixtures, stock and specialist equipment should be valued on a basis that supports recovery after a loss.

Public and employers' liability

Consideration depends on customer footfall, employee duties, contractors and the activities carried out at the premises.

Business interruption

Cover may help with insured loss of income or additional costs, subject to the trigger, indemnity period and wording.

Practical buying guidance

The contents and activities need their own description

An office with portable computers has different exposures from a shop holding valuable stock and receiving customers. Explain what is sold or supplied, any services delivered on site, how stock is stored and whether equipment leaves the premises.

A landlord's building policy may not insure the tenant's contents, improvements or trading interruption. Read the lease to establish which interests each party is responsible for, then compare that responsibility with the proposed policy.

Seasonal stock increases, cash handling, online sales and deliveries can affect the information insurers need. Cover for stock at the premises does not automatically extend to all goods in transit or at another location.

Compare the wording, not just the premium

Check theft conditions, accidental-damage options, off-site limits, stock increases and interruption triggers. Compare actual activities rather than choosing solely by the policy's shop or office label.

For more detail, read Tanning Salon Insurance: what UK salons should consider and Commercial property underinsurance: why rebuild value matters.

Common questions

Useful answers before you approach the market.

Can a leased premises be insured?+

Yes. The lease determines which party insures the building and which improvements, contents and liabilities remain yours.

Do we need to insure seasonal stock?+

Stock values that rise at certain times should be disclosed so the basis and any seasonal uplift can be considered.

What if we have several locations?+

List every location and explain its use, opening arrangements, security and stock profile for insurer review.

Speak directly to Oak

Talk to Oak about office and shop insurance.

Tell us what you do, what needs protecting and when the policy renews. We'll take it from there.

Start an enquiry 0330 133 4386