A person smiles while standing in front of a counter of a wine shop and shelves filled with various wine bottles.
A person smiles while standing in front of a counter of a wine shop and shelves filled with various wine bottles.

Off licence insurance

Tailored insurance for your off licence, minus the hassle

We compare quotes from leading insurers

Insurance for licensed and regulated retailers

Off licences are unlike any other retail stores; with late opening hours and high-value stock you need comprehensive off licence insurance to protect against the risks you face on a daily basis.

Finding time to look for the right insurance can be challenging and time-consuming in itself. That’s why we’ve taken the hassle out of arranging your insurance for off licence shops. We work closely with some of the UK’s leading insurers to provide you with professional insurance recommendations and exceptional service.

By understanding the nature of your business and the exposures you face, we arrange cover that’s tailored to your individual needs. So whether you’re running an off licence, a convenience store, or a specialist wine retailer; we’ll work hard to find you the right cover at the right price. You can protect your business online in a matter of minutes if you know the covers you need or alternatively, speak to our specialists who are on hand to provide expert advice and make arranging your off licence shop insurance simple and hassle-free.

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Compare & buy cover online

If you know the covers you require, it’s quick & easy to compare shop insurance quotes from a selection of insurers on our website.

Start a quote
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Request a call back

Unsure of your cover requirements or looking for insurance advice? We’ll call to arrange a new insurance quote at a time that’s convenient for you

Request a call back
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Speak to an expert

Our advisors are just a phone call away. On average, we answer calls within 90 seconds. Lines open Monday to Friday 9:00am–5:00pm

0333 320 6009

Off licence insurance cover in detail

What is off licence insurance?

Off licence insurance is designed to protect against many unforeseen events that can lead to large losses or claims being made against you and your business. Many risks come with running an off licence, from theft of high-value stock to loss of licence to sell alcohol. Without the right cover in place, you may be personally exposed to claims and losses that you would need to self-fund.

Insurance covers to consider

When deciding what insurance and covers you need to protect your business, you should consider the following:

  • Man reaching for a bottle in a grocery store, surrounded by various beverages.

    Public liability insurance

    Public liability insurance protects members of the public from accidental injury or accidental damage to property caused by your business activities. This can include suppliers, customers and even your neighbours. Accidents happen when you least expect them, and compensation claims along with medical expenses and legal costs can escalate quickly. Public liability insurance can protect you against these claims, should the worst happen, to protect your financial exposure to accidents in the workplace.

  • A man wearing glasses and a plaid shirt sits on a stool in a wine cellar, an off licence treasure trove behind him. Shelves brimming with bottles of wine and spirits frame his neutral expression as he gazes at the camera.

    Employers' liability cover

    Employers’ liability insurance is designed to protect your staff in similar circumstances to public liability. Should an employee fall down some stairs at work or drop something heavy on their foot sustaining an injury, you may be liable to pay compensation. As an employer you have a legal obligation to protect your staff in case something unfortunate happens; employers’ liability cover does exactly that.

  • A lively street scene with shops on either side and pedestrians strolling along the sidewalk.

    Property covers for off licences

    Protecting those around you is a fundamental part of your off licence insurance. Next, you should consider your property, from stock to contents to buildings and vehicles.

    As this will form a major part of your financial investment and without the right insurance in place, the future of your business could be at risk. Fire, flood, theft and storm are all events that can happen when you least expect them and cause devastation to your business. Protecting your assets against imminent threats is essential for your business continuity.

  • Close-up of a shop window with a hanging “Open” sign. The interior is warmly lit with various items and shelves in the background

    Business interruption

    So you’ve protected your liabilities and your property against the unexpected, but if the worst did happen and you were unable to trade, how would you cope financially? As part of your off licence insurance, business interruption insurance can protect your income should you claim for damage to property meaning you’re unable to open. This invaluable cover could be the financial security blanket that allows you to continue running the business you’ve worked so hard to build. Not only can it cover your fixed expenses such as wages and overheads, but it could also help you trade temporarily from different premises while you get back on your feet.

  • A woman in a business suit engages in conversation with someone else while holding a tablet in an office setting.

    Commercial legal protection

    Commercial legal protection can be included in your off licence insurance policy to safeguard against employment disputes and awards of compensation. It can also offer protection against tax and VAT disputes and cover you financially if you, your business partners or employees are summoned for jury service.

  • A person smiles while standing in front of a counter of a wine shop and shelves filled with various wine bottles.

    Loss of licence insurance

    As an off licence, losing your licence to sell alcohol could be disastrous for your business. There are many reasons why you could lose your licence, through no fault of your own due to local crime, public safety or public nuisances. Providing you have carried out your normal duties as a licence holder, loss of licence cover could protect your business financially.

Off licence insurance FAQs

Without the right off licence insurance in place, you may be personally responsible for any losses that occur, as well as any third-party claims that could be submitted against you.

Your shop insurance should be geared up to cover eventualities that could negatively impact your business. As a retailer, you will have contents, fixtures and fittings, stock and potentially buildings that will need to be safeguarded against many perils. Your policy can incorporate these, and protect your livelihood against fire, flood, theft, storm damage and a number of other perils that could damage your property and impact your ability to trade. We can even arrange cover to protect your business equipment whilst you are out and about away from your retail premises.

At Premierline, we offer flexible off licence insurance policies that can be as simple or comprehensive as you need depending on your business requirements. When deciding what insurance and covers you need to protect your shop, you should consider the following:

  • Public liability – for injured shop visitors or damage to their property.
  • Employers’ liability – to protect your shop employees.
  • Buildings cover – to cover for loss or damage to your shop premises.
  • Equipment, contents and stock – to reinstate your items and belongings.
  • Business interruption – to keep finances running when disaster strikes.
  • Money cover – for theft or attempted theft.
  • Goods in transit – to cover for loss or damage to stock when in transit, loading, or unloading.
  • Business legal expenses – to cover the cost of legal expenses or defending your shop against legal action.

More information

Off licence insurance is designed to cover the retail activities of newsagents, convenience stores, corner shops, mini markets and many other similar trades.

With Premierline, shop insurance covers can be adapted to best meet your individual insurance requirements, giving you peace of mind to focus on running your business.

Any retail business owner will appreciate the hard work, time and effort that goes into running a busy store. Off licence insurance must be a top priority to protect the business you’ve worked so hard to build to give you peace of mind to focus on running your business. But with so many options available it can be difficult to know what you need and what’s relevant to you specifically.

Arranging insurance for your off licence doesn’t have to be tricky or time-consuming. We’ve taken the hassle out of arranging your insurance for off licence shops. We work closely with some of the UK’s leading insurers to provide you with professional insurance recommendations and exceptional service.

Try to have your existing insurance schedule and renewal notice available as this will give us the majority of the information that we will need. However, if you are a new business, don’t worry – our business insurance advisors will be able to guide you through the process of understanding and identifying your insurance needs.

We will email your policy documentation to you which means you will receive these straight away. Alternatively, if you would prefer your documents to be posted, you will normally receive them within 5 working days.

You can pay annually using a credit/debit card or by making an electronic payment. Alternatively you can manage your payments through a monthly Direct Debit plan with our approved premium finance provider, Premium Credit Limited.

Why choose Premierline?

Two men and a woman with headsets on in an office setting, likely participating in a discussion or online call.

We're shop insurance experts

We understand the nature of running your shop often leaves little time for much else. That’s why we work closely with some of the UK’s leading insurers to find the cover that’s right for you, making arranging your retail insurance simple and hassle-free. We’re committed to finding the right insurance solutions for your business to let you work without worry and focus on what really matters – your business.

  • Award winning service

    We're trusted by thousands of SMEs across the UK

  • Comprehensive protection

    We can help with all your commercial insurance needs

  • UK based experts

    Located in Lancaster, our advisors are here to help

Our customer reviews and testimonials

“Professional and very thorough which gave me confidence from the start that they understood my business. I also believe they got me the best possible quote.”
General Store
Customer since September 2022
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Speak to an off licence insurance expert

Here at Premierline, we work hard to find you the right cover at the right price, so you can focus on what really matters – running your business. Our commercial insurance specialists are on hand over the phone to advise you on the covers available and provide professional insurance recommendations that are tailored to your off licence.

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Compare & buy cover online

If you know the covers you require, it’s quick & easy to compare shop insurance quotes from a selection of insurers on our website.

Start a quote
full width cta icon 3
full width cta icon 3

Request a call back

Unsure of your cover requirements or looking for insurance advice? We’ll call to arrange a new insurance quote at a time that’s convenient for you

Request a call back
full width cta icon 2
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Speak to an expert

Our advisors are just a phone call away. On average, we answer calls within 90 seconds. Lines open Monday to Friday 9:00am–5:00pm

0333 320 6009