Shoe Store Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a shoe store 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 footwear retailers, including resale and orthopedic stores. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against the store's categories and services.
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 products sold, including children's footwear. | Core | |
| Commercial Property & Business Income | Covers inventory and fixtures, plus lost income after a covered loss. | Core | |
| Crime / Employee Dishonesty | Covers employee theft of high-value inventory and cash. | Prevalent | |
| Intellectual Property / Advertising Injury | Covers trademark and counterfeit claims tied to resale — often limited under GL. | Situational | |
| Professional Liability (Fitting) | Needed for orthopedic, diabetic, or custom orthotic fitting. | Situational | |
| Consigned Goods / Bailee | Coverage Covers consigned sneakers while in the store. | Situational | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states; stockroom ladders and lifting drive injuries. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed exposure for this class is resale authenticity. A federal judge ruled in 2025 that the resale platform StockX sold counterfeit Nike sneakers despite marketing them as authentic, and stores that resell or consign sneakers face the same trademark and false-advertising claims — which general liability may not cover. Stores should authenticate every pair, avoid absolute authenticity claims without a refund guarantee, and confirm coverage for intellectual property claims.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your shoe store coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Shoe Store Insurance · Shoe Store Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a shoe store business need?
The core coverages for a shoe store business are Commercial General Liability (incl. Products), Commercial Property & Business Income, Workers' Compensation. 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 shoe store 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.