Gun Store & Firearms Dealer Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a gun store & firearms dealer 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 retail firearms dealers, pawn and consignment dealers, and gunsmiths. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against the store's services and whether it operates a range.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial General Liability (incl. Products) | Covers customer injuries and product claims; confirm firearms and ammunition sales are not excluded. | Core | |
| Firearms Dealer Liability / Negligent Entrustment | Confirms coverage for suits alleging a sale should not have been made — a key exception to federal PLCAA protection. | Core | |
| Commercial Property (Inventory) | Covers firearm and ammunition inventory, safes, and fixtures against theft and fire. | Core | |
| Crime / Employee Dishonesty | Covers theft of firearms or cash by employees. | Prevalent | |
| Bailee's Customer Coverage | Covers customers' firearms held for gunsmithing, consignment, or transfer. | Prevalent | |
| Inland Marine / Transit & Gun Shows | Covers firearms at gun shows and in shipment. | Situational | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states with employees. | Situational | |
| Range Liability | Needed if the store operates a range or rents firearms for use on site. | Situational | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds limits for severe injury claims. | Prevalent |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed exposure for this class is negligent entrustment. Federal law (PLCAA) blocks most lawsuits over criminal misuse of firearms, but courts allow claims to proceed when a dealer allegedly sold to a straw purchaser or someone clearly unfit. These suits can succeed even without a crime by the dealer, and some general liability policies exclude them. Dealers should confirm their policy covers firearm-sale claims and keep strong compliance records. Theft is the other key exposure: federal law requires reporting any lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours, and inventory losses can be large.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your gun store & firearms dealer coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Gun Store & Firearms Dealer Insurance · Gun Store & Firearms Dealer Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a gun store & firearms dealer business need?
The core coverages for a gun store & firearms dealer business are Commercial General Liability (incl. Products), Firearms Dealer Liability / Negligent Entrustment, Commercial Property (Inventory). 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 gun store & firearms dealer 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.