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Charity ShopInsurance
Charity Shop Insurance
Public liability and product liability cover built for charity shops, including the electrical safety testing donated goods legally need before resale.
Public liability and product liability cover built for charity shops, including the electrical safety testing donated goods legally need before resale.
Donated goodsVolunteer coverPremises & fixtures
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Speak to a specialist 0330 027 0996
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What is charity shop insurance?
Charity shop insurance is a combination of covers built around selling donated goods, public liability for customer injury, product liability for what you sell, and cover for the staff and volunteers who run your shop.
If you sell donated electrical items, they must be PAT tested and shown to be safe before resale, a legal requirement, not just good practice, under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations.
Charity shop insurance can include:
Public liabilityEmployers’ liabilityProduct liabilityVolunteer coverBusiness interruptionBusiness van insurance (separate policy)
Cover often bought alongside charity shop insurance
Public Liability
Covers claims if a customer or member of the public is injured or their property is damaged.
Employers’ Liability
A legal requirement for paid staff; volunteer cover is often added alongside it.
Product Liability
Covers claims that a donated item you’ve sold caused harm.
Business Contents
Protects equipment, fixtures and fittings at your shop.
Stock Insurance
Covers donated stock against theft, fire or damage.
What do donated goods need before you can sell them?
What do donated goods need before you can sell them?
This is separate from your insurance, but it affects what you can legally put on the shop floor.
This is separate from your insurance, but it affects what you can legally put on the shop floor.
| Type of donation | Testing needed? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
Clothing, books and homeware | No specific testing required | Standard visual check is usually enough |
Electrical items (toasters, lamps, appliances) | Yes, PAT testing required by law | Required under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations before resale |
Furniture | Check fire safety labelling | Upholstered furniture needs a fire safety label to be resold |
Children’s toys and equipment | Check for safety recalls and damage | Recalled or broken items shouldn’t be put on sale |
Top Tip
Untested electrical donations are one of the most common gaps in charity shop compliance. If you can’t verify an item is safe, it shouldn’t go on the shelf, that’s exactly the kind of claim product liability exists for.
How much does charity shop insurance cost?
There’s no fixed price. It depends on what you sell, the number of volunteers and staff, and your claims history.
Number of volunteers and staff
More people on the shop floor increases your liability exposure.
Level of cover
Adding product liability or a higher limit increases your premium.
Type of donations accepted
Accepting electricals or furniture adds testing and compliance considerations.
Premises and location
High street or shopping centre units can affect your premium.
Value of stock
Higher-value donated stock affects your contents cover premium.
Claims history
A clean claims record helps keep premiums down at renewal.
How to get charity shop insurance
How to get charity shop insurance
Getting charity shop insurance takes four steps: tell us about your shop, choose your covers, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
Getting charity shop insurance takes four steps: tell us about your shop, choose your covers, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
1
Tell us about your shop
What you sell, and your staff and volunteer numbers.
2
Choose your covers
Public liability, product liability and any extras.
3
We compare specialist insurers
We search our panel of 20+ UK insurers.
4
Get covered and trading
Receive your documents, usually the same day.
UK-based specialist advisersAccess to specialist insurersNo obligation, just expert helpTrusted by thousands of businesses across the UK
Trusted by thousands of businesses across the UK
From everyday business insurance to complex specialist cover, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right protection and provide expert support when it matters.
From everyday business insurance to complex specialist cover, our customers trust Insurance Revolution to find the right protection and provide expert support when it matters.
Charity shop insurance guides
Charity shop insurance guides
Practical advice on cover, donations and staying protected.
Practical advice on cover, donations and staying protected.
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Charity shop insurance FAQs
Charity shop insurance FAQs
Straight answers on cover, donated goods, volunteers and cost.
Straight answers on cover, donated goods, volunteers and cost.
Charity shop insurance is a combination of covers built around selling donated goods: public liability for customer injury, product liability for what you sell, and cover for the staff and volunteers who run your shop.
Still have questions?
Our advisers are here to help you find the right solution.
Related shops we cover
Related shops we cover
Charity shops share donated-stock and volunteer risks with these businesses. Each has its own cover needs.
Charity shops share donated-stock and volunteer risks with these businesses. Each has its own cover needs.
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Furniture Shop Insurance
Bulky donated goods, storage and delivery to customers.
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Bookshop Insurance
Second-hand stock with browsing customers and displays.
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Charity Insurance
Wider cover for the charity itself, including trustee indemnity.