Bridal Shop Insurance Policy Information

Bridal Shop Insurance. Would-be brides dream of their wedding days since the time they are old enough to play dress-up, and as a bridal shop owner, you're tasked with making part of that day a reality. In your role of providing women with the right gowns and altering those gowns for them, you are tasked with a major duty, and emotions can run high among future brides.
If you are the owner of a bridal shop, then bridal shop insurance is important, since a happy client can quickly turn into a "bridezilla" if something goes wrong to sour her big moment.
An independent insurance agent can help you determine if bridal shop insurance is right for your particular business model, and which types of insurance you need. Let's run down the basics of what you should buy to be covered.
Bridal Shop insurance protects your store from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked bridal shop insurance questions:
- What Is Bridal Shop Insurance?
- How Much Does Bridal Shop Insurance Cost?
- Why Do Bridal Stores Need Insurance?
- What Type Of Insurance Do Bridal Shops Need?
- What Does Bridal Shop Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Bridal Shop Insurance?
Bridal shop insurance is a type of insurance that specifically covers the risks associated with owning and operating a bridal shop. It typically includes coverage for property damage, liability, and business interruption, among other things.
This insurance protects bridal shop owners from potential losses and damages caused by things like theft, fire, natural disasters, product defects, and customer complaints. It also covers any legal fees that may arise from disputes or lawsuits.
How Much Does Bridal Shop Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small bridal shops ranges from $47 to $59 per month based on location, size, payroll, sales and experience.
Why Do Bridal Stores Need Insurance?

The bridal shop industry is a huge market that generates roughly $4 billion in revenue every year and employs more than 30,000 people. But what could possibly go wrong in the innocuous environment of a retail store? As it turns out, plenty.
While the loss or destruction of a bride's dress prior to her big day with no means to replace it is a worst-case scenario, this has happened more than once to unsuspecting brides. In the bridal industry, it really is all about the dress.
Brides spend their time pouring over bridal catalogs and magazines, searching for 'the' dress for their special once-in-a-lifetime event. Should that day arrive and the dress is less than expected, the anguish that she feels is hard to measure.
Other reasons that brides may litigate against your shop include: slips and falls and other injuries, failing to get an order ready in time, faulty alterations, poor workmanship, and breach of contract.
Without a doubt, the absolute worst thing that can happen in a bridal shop is an accident or disaster that leads to a lost or destroyed dress just prior to the big day. In this industry, truly, it's all about the dress.
Brides-to-be spend countless hours poring over catalogs, idea books and Pinterest in search of the perfect dress for their wedding day. If that day comes and the dress is not available or as expected, the emotional distress and anguish the bride will feel is immeasurable.
The average wedding runs more than $31,000, as of 2014, making them costly affairs, and anytime money is involved, litigation can become a fast and hard reality. How can you protect yourself as a bridal shop owner?
What Type Of Insurance Do Bridal Shops Need?
If your shop is like most, it is filled to the brim with hundreds of gowns for brides and their bridal parties, accessories, veils, and more. When you opened your business, you likely made a huge investment in inventory, and now you need to protect that inventory in case the unexpected happens. Commercial property insurance is important. Be sure that you own:
- Commercial property insurance. If you are the owner of the building where you do business, then you must buy bridal shop insurance that protects the structure. If you are leasing the building and have spent money on any improvements, such as window treatments or flooring, then make sure that your agent is aware of those improvements too.
- Business property insurance. You need property insurance to cover your inventory, equipment, furnishings, displays, and other items housed inside the store. This coverage should extend to a wide range of potential perils, including fire, theft, vandalism, storm damage, and more.
- Flood coverage. Floods can be devastating, especially if you live in a low-lying or flood prone area. Be sure to buy a separate commercial flood insurance policy.
Liability Insurance for the Bridal Shop Owner
Liability insurance is another must-have policy. Just one lawsuit decided against many bridal shop owners can spell financial disaster and in some cases leave the shop closing its doors.
Buy bridal shop insurance that protects you from judgements and awards in the event you end up on the receiving end of a lawsuit. Your policy should also cover any legal fees for handling your case in court.
You should also purchase commercial general liability insurance coverage. This is a comprehensive package that covers premise liability and product liability. Premises liability takes care of claims arising from injuries or any property damage caused by you or your employees or that occurs on your property.
Product liability protects you if the products you sell and alter cause injury.
Additional Bridal Shop Insurance Policies
Professional liability insurance. Should something go awry when working with a customer and the outcome of your transaction is not as planned, this coverage is invaluable. For example, if you shorten the bride's gown too much, then you're covered for the damage. This is also know as errors and omissions coverage.
What Does Bridal Shop Insurance Cover & Pay For?

There are several reasons why bridal shops may be sued, and having insurance can help protect them in various ways. Some examples of reasons bridal shops may face lawsuits include:
Accidents or injuries: Bridal shops typically have a lot of foot traffic, and accidents or injuries can occur on their premises. For example, a customer may slip and fall on a wet floor or trip over a rug. In such cases, the bridal shop may be held liable for the injuries sustained by the customer, and insurance, such as general liability insurance, can help cover the costs of medical bills, legal fees, and potential settlements.
Product liability: Bridal shops may sell bridal gowns, accessories, or other merchandise. If a customer experiences an injury or damage due to a defective or unsafe product, the bridal shop may be held responsible. Product liability insurance can provide coverage in such cases, helping the bridal shop pay for legal defense costs, settlements, or damages awarded to the affected customer.
Property damage: Bridal shops may rent or own commercial space where they display and store their merchandise. Property damage insurance can provide coverage for damages to the building or its contents due to events such as fire, theft, or vandalism. For example, if a fire breaks out in the bridal shop, destroying the inventory and causing damage to the premises, property damage insurance can help cover the costs of repairing or replacing the damaged property.
Breach of contract: Bridal shops often enter into contracts with customers, suppliers, or vendors. If there is a breach of contract, such as failure to deliver a gown on time or provide a service as promised, the bridal shop may face a lawsuit. Errors and omissions insurance, also known as professional liability insurance, can provide coverage in case of such legal disputes, helping the bridal shop pay for legal defense costs, settlements, or damages awarded.
Employee-related claims: Bridal shops may have employees who could file claims against the shop, such as wrongful termination, discrimination, or harassment. Employment practices liability insurance can help protect the bridal shop in case of such claims, covering legal defense costs, settlements, or damages awarded.
In all these examples, insurance can help bridal shops financially by covering legal defense costs, settlements, or damages awarded, depending on the type of coverage and the specific policy terms and conditions. It's important for bridal shops to carefully review their insurance coverage and work with an insurance professional to ensure they have appropriate insurance policies in place to protect themselves from potential lawsuits and other risks.
Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification
- SIC CODE: 5621 Women's Clothing Stores
- NAICS CODE: 448190 Other Clothing Stores
- Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 8008 Store - Clothing, Wearing Apparel, or Dry Goods - Retail
Description for 5621: Women's Clothing Stores
Division G: Retail Trade | Major Group 56: Apparel And Accessory Stores | Industry Group 562: Women's Clothing Stores
5621 Women's Clothing Stores: Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of a general line of women's ready-to-wear clothing. This industry also includes establishments primarily engaged in the specialized retail sale of women's coats, suits, and dresses.
- Bridal shops, except custom-retail
- Clothing, ready-to-wear: women's-retail
- Dress shops-retail
- Maternity shops-retail
- Ready-to-wear stores, women's-retail
Bridal Shop Insurance - The Bottom Line
These are just a few basic types of insurance to consider. Commercial auto, worker's comp, and others may be necessary. Speak to a licensed agent to determine where there are gaps in coverage and devise a plan to cover your business from a 360-degree standpoint.
Additional Resources For Retail Insurance
Read valuable small business retail insurance policy information. In a retail business, you need to have the right type of commercial insurance coverage so that your store, employees, and inventory are protected.
- Adult Novelty
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- Appliance & Electronics Store
- Army Navy Surplus Stores
- Art Dealers
- Art Gallery
- Arts & Crafts Supply Stores
- Bicycle Shop
- Boat Dealers
- Book Store
- Bridal Shop
- Candy Confectionery Store
- Carpet Store
- Cell Phone Stores
- Clothing Store
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- Convenience Store
- Cosmetics Store
- Costume Stores
- Dry Cleaning
- Embroidery Services
- Equipment Rental
- Fabric Stores
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- Flea Markets
- Florist
- Funeral Home
- Furniture Store
- Gift Store
- Greeting Card Stores
- Hardware Store
- Harness & Saddle Shops
- Home Improvement Store
- Infant, Baby & Children's Clothing Stores
- Jewelry Store
- Lamp Stores
- Lingerie Store
- Luggage Store
- Meat Market & Butcher Shop
- Men's Clothing Stores
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- Newsstand
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The retail industry is a vital sector of the economy, providing goods and services to consumers across the globe. It is also a sector that is constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends emerging on a regular basis.
Despite its importance, the retail industry is not without its risks. Retail businesses face a variety of threats, including theft, damage to property, and liability issues. These risks can have significant financial consequences for retail businesses, which is why commercial insurance is so important.
Insurance can provide retailers with protection against financial loss resulting from unforeseen events. For example, if a retail store is damaged by a natural disaster, insurance can help cover the cost of repairs and help the business get back on its feet. Similarly, if a retail employee is injured on the job, insurance can help cover their medical expenses and any lost wages.
In addition to protecting against financial loss, commercial insurance can also help retail businesses protect their reputation. If a retail business is sued or faces other legal challenges, insurance can provide financial support and legal representation. This can help to protect the business's reputation and maintain customer trust.
Overall, insurance is an essential component of a successful retail business. It helps to safeguard against financial loss and protect against potential legal challenges, which can be especially important for smaller businesses that may not have the resources to absorb these types of losses.
By investing in business insurance, retail businesses can ensure that they are well-equipped to handle the many challenges that come with operating in this dynamic industry.
Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Personal Property, Business Income and Extra Expense, Equipment Breakdown, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits, Umbrella, Hired and Non-owned Auto & Workers Compensation.
Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Earthquake, Flood, Leasehold Interest, Real Property Legal Liability, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Bailees Customers, Goods in Transit, Jewelers Block, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage and Stop Gap Liability.