Music shops face a number of unique risks. Musical instruments are expensive niche products that must be stored and handled with care. But unlike other stores that sell such high value products, customers will frequently interact with your stock. Accidents will happen. And when they do, they will cost you.

Key risks for music shops include:

• Loss or damage of stock due to fire, flood, or theft, or simply as a result of a customer dropping an instrument while they try it out.
• A member of staff could accidentally damage an instrument while servicing it or repairing it.
• Customers could trip over wires or other obstacles while browsing your store, resulting in injuries and property damage.

Music shop insurance can be tailored to cover your specific shop’s requirements, and will likely include:

• Public Liability Insurance – This can cover your customers, and other members of the public, for any accidents or injuries they sustain while visiting your shop. You can tailor your public liability cover depending on the specific services you offer. You may need specialist cover if you run music lessons or other events on your premises, for example.
• Employer’s Liability Insurance – If you employ any staff, then you have a legal duty to get employer’s liability insurance. This will cover your employees or volunteers for any on-the-job accidents or injuries.
• Instrument and Stock Insurance – This will cover your stock of musical instruments for loss or damage from fire, flood, theft, and other risks. It can also cover accidental damage, such as if a customer drops an instrument while sampling it.
• Buildings and Contents Cover – This can cover your music shop premises, along with any furniture, fixtures, or fittings, for loss or damage.
• Business Interruption Insurance – If an incident such as a fire, a flood, or a burglary attempt forces you to temporarily close your music shop, business interruption insurance can cover your expenses for as long as it takes you to recover.