From Warehouse to Doorstep — Fully Covered.
Protecting inventory, shipments, and supply chain operations
Wholesalers and distributors face constant exposure to inventory loss, transportation risks, contractual obligations, and liability claims. Businesses that store, move, and deliver goods must manage risks related to warehouses, cargo, vendors, and customers. Damage to products, delays in delivery, or accidents during transport can quickly lead to financial loss or contract disputes.
Properly structured insurance helps protect inventory, facilities, and the flow of business operations.
Key Risks in Wholesale & Distribution Operations
Wholesalers and distributors face exposure related to:
Inventory damage or theft
Warehouse property loss
Cargo loss during transit
Product liability claims
Vendor and supplier disputes
Equipment or forklift accidents
Business interruption after a loss
Losses can occur at any point in the supply chain.
Core Coverages for Wholesale & Distribution Businesses
Wholesale and distribution insurance programs typically include:
General Liability — Protects against bodily injury and property damage claims involving customers, vendors, or third parties.
Commercial Property — Covers warehouses, storage areas, equipment, and inventory against covered physical loss.
Product Liability — Protects against claims involving products sold, distributed, or supplied.
Inland Marine / Cargo Coverage — Protects goods while in transit or stored off-site.
Warehouse Legal Liability (when applicable) — Covers damage to goods stored on behalf of others.
Workers’ Compensation — Provides coverage for employee injuries as required by law.
Commercial Auto — Covers vehicles used for delivery, transport, or business use.
Umbrella / Excess Liability — Provides additional limits for severe claims.
What’s Commonly Overlooked
Wholesale insurance programs are often weakened by:
Underinsured inventory values
Missing cargo or transit coverage
No warehouse liability protection
Inadequate product liability limits
Gaps between property and inland marine
Failure to update coverage as inventory grows
These issues often appear only after a major loss.
Real-World Claim Examples
Inventory is damaged in a warehouse fire
A shipment is lost during transit
A forklift accident injures a visitor
A product causes injury to a customer
A storm damages stored goods
Even one loss can interrupt the entire supply chain.
Why Proper Placement Matters
Wholesale and distribution coverage varies based on:
Type of products handled
Inventory value and storage methods
Shipping and delivery exposure
Warehouse size and location
Contract requirements
Use of third-party carriers
Improper placement can lead to uncovered losses or contract disputes.
Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we structure wholesale and distribution insurance programs based on how your products move, where they are stored, and the contracts you operate under. We coordinate property, cargo, liability, and warehouse coverage to ensure your protection follows the entire supply chain.
When your business depends on movement, your insurance must move with it.
Not sure your coverage is complete? Run the Wholesale & Distribution Coverage Self-Review Checklist — tick what you can confirm, and walk into your next policy review informed.
Download the fillable Distributors, Wholesalers & Products Supplemental to start your submission, or browse all applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get wholesale and distribution insurance through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We start with a short conversation about your operations, analyze your exposures, then negotiate wholesale and distribution insurance across multiple carriers that compete for your account and present options with the trade-offs explained. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
What drives the cost of wholesale and distribution insurance?
There is no flat rate. The cost of wholesale and distribution insurance reflects your industry, your size (payroll and revenue), your claims history, and the limits and deductibles you choose. We market your account to multiple carriers, compare the real quotes side by side, and explain what is driving each number so you can weigh coverage against price with confidence.
Do I need wholesale and distribution insurance?
It depends on your situation. Some coverage is required by law; more often, wholesale and distribution insurance is required by a contract, lease, lender, or client before they will do business with you — and even when it is not mandated, it guards against exposures that can be severe. We review your operations and obligations and tell you plainly what you need and why.
What if another agency has already declined or non-renewed my coverage?
Difficult, specialty, and previously-declined placements are a core part of our work. We access excess & surplus (E&S) and specialty markets that many generalist agencies cannot, and we explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Available in all 50 states. See how requirements differ in California, Texas, Florida, New York, or choose your state.