Public liability and stock cover built for off-licences, including the Challenge 25 age verification your premises licence depends on.
Public liability and stock cover built for off-licences, including the Challenge 25 age verification your premises licence depends on.
Alcohol & spiritsLoss of licenceMoney cover
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Off-licence insurance is a combination of covers built around selling alcohol for consumption elsewhere, public liability for customer injury, stock cover for your bottles, and employers’ liability if you have staff.
Your premises licence requires you to operate a Challenge 25 age verification policy, getting this wrong can put your licence, not just a sale, at risk.
Off-licence insurance can include:
Public liabilityEmployers’ liabilityStock insuranceBusiness contentsLoss of licence coverBusiness 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 once you employ any staff, even casual help.
Loss of Licence
Protects your income if your alcohol licence is suspended or withdrawn.
Business Contents
Protects fixtures, fittings and equipment at your shop.
Money Insurance
Covers cash and takings on the premises or in transit to the bank.
What does a Challenge 25 policy actually require?
What does a Challenge 25 policy actually require?
This is a licence condition, not just good practice, getting it wrong can put your premises licence at risk.
This is a licence condition, not just good practice, getting it wrong can put your premises licence at risk.
| Requirement | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
Ask for ID if a customer looks under 25 | A standard condition on most premises licences | Staff must apply this consistently, every time |
Only accept passport, photo driving licence or a PASS card | Photocopies or phone photos of ID aren’t acceptable | Fake or altered ID should be refused and reported |
Display Challenge 25 signage | Usually required at the till and where alcohol is displayed | Often checked during licence inspections |
Keep a refusals register | Shows the policy is being actively enforced | May be requested by the council or police |
Top Tip
Selling alcohol to someone under 18 can mean a fixed penalty, a fine of up to £5,000, and your premises licence being suspended or revoked. A consistently enforced Challenge 25 policy is your main protection against all three.
There’s no fixed price. Spirits stock values, late-night trading hours and your security measures all affect what an off-licence pays.
Value of stock
Higher-value alcohol stock increases your contents premium.
Trading hours
Late-night trading can affect your risk profile.
Number of staff
More employees increase your employers’ liability exposure.
Level of cover
Adding loss of licence cover increases your premium.
Security measures
Alarms, CCTV and safes can help reduce your risk.
Claims history
A clean claims record helps keep premiums down at renewal.
How to get off-licence insurance
How to get off-licence insurance
Getting off-licence insurance takes four steps: tell us about your shop, choose your covers, compare specialist insurers, then get covered, often the same day.
Getting off-licence 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 whether you have staff.
Choose your covers
Public liability, stock 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.
Off-licence insurance guides
Off-licence insurance guides
Alcohol licensing, age verification and protecting high-value spirits stock.
Alcohol licensing, age verification and protecting high-value spirits stock.
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.
Off-licence insurance FAQs
Off-licence insurance FAQs
Straight answers on cover, Challenge 25 and cost.
Straight answers on cover, Challenge 25 and cost.
Off-licence insurance is a combination of covers built around selling alcohol for consumption elsewhere: public liability for customer injury, stock cover for your bottles, and employers’ liability if you have staff.
Still have questions?
Our advisers are here to help you find the right solution.
Related shops we cover
Related shops we cover
Off-licences share licensing and stock risks with these businesses. Each has its own cover needs.
Off-licences share licensing and stock risks with these businesses. Each has its own cover needs.
Convenience Store Insurance
Overlapping stock, cash handling and late trading.
Bar Insurance
Alcohol licensing with the same age-verification duties.
Newsagent Insurance
Similar footfall, tills and high-turnover stock.
