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Top 5 Risks Facing UK Warehouses And How Insurance Protects You
Warehouses are vital to the UK supply chain, storing and moving goods for retailers, manufacturers and logistics firms. But with valuable stock, busy…
WarehouseInsurance
Warehouse Insurance
Public liability and goods-in-care cover built for warehouse operators, covering goods you hold on behalf of other businesses.
Public liability and goods-in-care cover built for warehouse operators, covering goods you hold on behalf of other businesses.
Goods held for othersRacking & forkliftsGoods in transit
Compare from 20+ Trusted Insurers
Speak to a specialist 0330 027 0996
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What is warehouse insurance?
Warehouse insurance is a combination of covers built around storing and handling goods, public liability for injury or damage, warehouseman’s legal liability for goods you hold on behalf of others, and employers’ liability if you have staff.
The moment you take possession of someone else’s goods, you become a ‘bailee’ under UK law, responsible for taking reasonable care of them, whether or not this is written into your contract.
Warehouse insurance can include:
Warehouseman’s legal liabilityEmployers’ liabilityPublic liabilityBusiness interruptionGoods in transitBusiness van insurance (separate policy)
Cover often bought alongside warehouse insurance
Warehouseman’s Legal Liability
Covers your liability for goods you hold on behalf of other businesses.
Employers’ Liability
A legal requirement once you employ any staff, even casual help.
Cyber Insurance
Covers costs following a breach involving client or stock data.
Business Contents
Protects your forklifts, racking and site equipment.
Goods in Transit
Covers goods while they’re being moved between sites or delivered.
What does it mean to be a ‘bailee’?
What does it mean to be a ‘bailee’?
This legal status applies automatically the moment you take possession of someone else’s goods.
This legal status applies automatically the moment you take possession of someone else’s goods.
| Situation | Your legal position | What to know |
|---|---|---|
Storing goods for another business | You’re automatically a bailee, whether or not it’s in writing | You must take reasonable care of the goods and use them only for the agreed purpose |
A fire or theft damages stored goods | You may be liable if you failed to take reasonable care | Warehouseman’s legal liability cover is designed for exactly this |
A dispute over how much is owed | Insurers may pay based on the goods’ value, not just your liability | This is why cover often insures the goods’ full value, not a liability limit |
No written contract in place | Bailment still applies, it doesn’t depend on a contract existing | Written terms can help, but a court may still find bailment applies |
Top Tip
A real claim example: a freight forwarder’s warehouse was burgled and several pallets of client goods stolen. The operator was found liable for failing to adequately safeguard them, exactly the kind of claim warehouseman’s legal liability cover is designed to respond to.
How much does warehouse insurance cost?
There’s no fixed price. It depends on the value of goods you hold, staff numbers, security measures and claims history.
Value of goods held for others
Higher-value client goods increase your liability cover needs.
Whether you own or rent
Owning your premises adds buildings insurance to consider.
Number of staff
More employees increase your employers’ liability exposure.
Level of cover
Higher liability limits increase your premium.
Security measures
Alarms, CCTV and access control can help reduce your risk.
Claims history
A clean claims record helps keep premiums down at renewal.
How to get warehouse insurance
How to get warehouse insurance
Getting warehouse insurance takes four steps: tell us about your site, choose your covers, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
Getting warehouse insurance takes four steps: tell us about your site, choose your covers, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
1
Tell us about your site
What you store, and whether you hold goods for others.
2
Choose your covers
Warehouseman’s legal liability, public 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.
Warehouse insurance guides
Warehouse insurance guides
Practical advice on cover, bailee liability and staying protected.
Practical advice on cover, bailee liability and staying protected.
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Warehouse insurance FAQs
Warehouse insurance FAQs
Straight answers on cover, bailee liability and cost.
Straight answers on cover, bailee liability and cost.
Warehouse insurance is a combination of covers built around storing and handling goods: public liability for injury or damage, warehouseman’s legal liability for goods you hold on behalf of others, and employers’ liability if you have staff.
Still have questions?
Our advisers are here to help you find the right solution.