Insurance for retailers and stores in Quebec

General civil liability may respond when a claim alleges bodily injury or property damage involving your store, premises, operations, products, or certain business activities, including defence costs where covered. A customer injured inside your store, in your parking lot, or at your entrance can result in a claim, even before liability is determined.

Product-related claims may also need to be reviewed, especially if you sell, import, distribute, modify, or private-label goods. A broker can help you review appropriate liability limits and coverage options based on your products and business activities. The policy wording and insurer eligibility apply.

Inventory, stock, commercial furnishings, and equipment may be covered for theft, break-ins, vandalism, and other insured losses. This depends on the policy wording, limits, exclusions, deductibles, valuation basis, and security requirements. Merchandise is often valued differently from its retail selling price, so the insured amount should reflect how the policy values your stock.

The type of product you sell, the presence of an alarm system, safe, cameras, access controls, and the location of the property can all influence underwriting. Stores selling high-value, restricted, or attractive goods may be subject to specific insurer requirements. Make sure your insured amount reflects the actual value and seasonal fluctuation of your inventory.

Business interruption insurance may help replace a portion of lost income and cover certain extra expenses. A covered loss may force your store to close or reduce operations temporarily. Rent, wages, loan payments, and other fixed costs may continue even when sales are interrupted. Therefore, the coverage limit, waiting period, indemnity period, and coverage type should be reviewed carefully.

This coverage generally depends on a covered property loss, the waiting period, limits, indemnity period, and policy wording. Some options may also address extra expenses, gross earnings, profits, or contingent business interruption exposures. These include a covered loss affecting a key supplier, access to your premises, utilities, or another location your business depends on. A broker can help you talk through these options before a loss occurs.

Not always, but online sales, delivery, importing, exporting, and sales outside Canada can change your liability exposure and insurer requirements. Selling physical products is different than selling digital ones. The same is true of selling to customers in the United States or other countries. Your business may face different legal environments, higher defence costs, and coverage restrictions, depending on the product, territory, and policy wording.

Tell your broker if you sell online, ship products, import goods, sell under your own brand, or have customers outside Quebec or Canada. Undisclosed activities can create coverage issues. A broker can help you review whether your current policy reflects your actual sales channels and territories.

A broker is not tied to a single insurer. They can compare insurance options available on the market and help you review coverage suited to your type of store, inventory, sales channels, premises, security measures, and activities. In retail, insurance needs can vary significantly from one business to another.

A broker familiar with commercial insurance can help identify important exposures, review possible coverage gaps, and support you through the claims process when a covered loss occurs. At La Turquoise, our commercial lines brokers can help you understand your options and request a retail insurance quote based on your business reality in Quebec.