Bike Shop Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a bike shop business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for bicycle retailers, repair shops, and e-bike dealers. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against your actual products, services, and rentals.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property & Stock (incl. Fire) | Covers the shop and inventory — battery fires can destroy a whole store in minutes. | Core | |
| Commercial General & Products Liability | Covers injuries from bikes and e-bikes you sell, assemble, or repair, including battery fires at customers' homes. | Core | |
| Completed Operations | Covers crashes caused by repairs or assembly after the bike leaves the shop. | Core | |
| Bailee / Customers' Property | Covers customer bikes left for repair if stolen or burned. | Core | |
| Business Income | Replaces income while the shop is rebuilt after a fire or break-in. | Prevalent | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required by law; mechanics face cuts, lifting, and battery burns. | Prevalent | |
| Rental & Tour Liability | Covers injuries to customers renting bikes or on guided rides — often excluded from shop GL. | Prevalent | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds limits for serious crashes and fires that spread to neighbors. | Prevalent | |
| Crime / Theft | Covers burglary of high-value bikes and employee theft. | Situational | |
| Special Events Liability | Covers group rides, races, and shop events. | Situational | |
| Cyber / Privacy Liability | Covers online sales and customer payment data. | Situational | |
| Hired & Non-Owned Auto | Covers staff delivering bikes or driving to events. | Situational |
The coverage gap most often missed
The gap most often missed by bike shops is lithium-ion batteries. Battery fires start fast and burn hot — one Florida shop was destroyed overnight with no fire insurance, and a Manhattan e-bike shop fire killed four people living above it — and some carriers now exclude or limit e-bikes, loose batteries, or battery service. Fires that spread can bring claims from neighbors far larger than your own loss. Confirm your property and liability policies cover e-bikes and batteries, never charge unattended, and keep stock values up to date.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your bike shop coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Bike Shop Insurance · Bike Shop Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a bike shop business need?
The core coverages for a bike shop business are Property & Stock (incl. Fire), Commercial General & Products Liability, Completed Operations, Bailee / Customers' Property. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my bike shop coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.