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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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)
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.
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.
Tell us about your shop
What you sell, and your staff and volunteer numbers.
Choose your covers
Public liability, product liability and any extras.
We compare specialist insurers
We search our panel of 20+ UK insurers.
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.
Do You Need Convenience Store Insurance If You Only Sell Newspapers and Snacks?
Running a small newsagent or corner shop that mainly sells newspapers, snacks, and drinks might seem simple. However, even small stores can face risks that could lead to unexpected costs. Convenience store insurance is designed to help protect your business, even if you only sell a limited range of products.
Why Newsagents and Corner Shops Need Tailored Insurance
Running a newsagent or corner shop comes with everyday risks. From stock damage to customer injuries, unexpected events can affect both finances and reputation. This is why arranging tailored insurance for newsagents and convenience stores is important.
What Does Convenience Store Insurance Protect You Against?
Running a corner shop or newsagent can be busy and rewarding. It also comes with risks that could affect your business if something goes wrong. Convenience store insurance is designed to help protect your shop, stock, and finances from a wide range of problems.
Off‑Licence & Specialty Retail Shop Insurance: What Extra Risks Should You Cover?
Running an off‑licence or specialty retail shop in the UK often brings unique challenges that may not apply to standard retail businesses. Whether selling alcohol, tobacco, perishable goods, or niche products, off‑licences and specialist shops can face additional risks that may require tailored insurance cover.
Shop Insurance Add‑ons: Legal Expenses & More
Arranging shop insurance in the UK can provide core protection for buildings, contents, and public liability, but many shop owners may benefit from exploring additional cover options. Certain risks can remain unprotected without carefully selected insurance add-ons.
Shop Equipment & Contents Cover: Avoiding Hidden Risks in Fixtures and Stock
Running a shop in the UK often involves more than protecting the building itself. Many retailers rely heavily on fixtures, fittings, specialist equipment, and valuable stock to operate successfully. Without the right shop insurance, these assets can be at risk from theft, accidental damage, or unforeseen incidents such as fire or flooding.
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.
Furniture Shop Insurance
Bulky donated goods, storage and delivery to customers.
Bookshop Insurance
Second-hand stock with browsing customers and displays.
Charity Insurance
Wider cover for the charity itself, including trustee indemnity.
