Why do upholstery shops need insurance?
If a fire damages your upholstery shop, business insurance can cover your losses. It provides vital protection for your inventory and your customers' furniture, and helps pay for lawsuits, accidents, and data breaches.

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With Insureon, upholstery shop owners can compare insurance quotes from top-rated providers to find affordable options.
Fill out our easy online application to compare quotes from top-rated providers.
What types of insurance do upholstery shops need?
These insurance policies cover the most common risks at upholstery shops.
Business owner's policy
A business owner's policy, or BOP, is a cost-effective way for upholstery store owners to buy general liability coverage and commercial property insurance together.
- Customer bodily injuries
- Damaged or stolen furniture
- Business interruption insurance
General liability insurance
General liability insurance covers common third-party risks, such as a customer who slips on an icy front step at your upholstery shop and files a lawsuit over their injury.
- Customer slip-and-fall accidents
- Damaged customer property
- Product liability insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for upholstery businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Legal costs from workplace injuries
Cyber insurance
This policy helps upholstery stores recover financially from data breaches and cyberattacks. It's recommended for any business that handles personal information.
- Customer notification expenses
- Fraud monitoring services
- Cyber extortion demands
Commercial umbrella insurance
Commercial umbrella insurance boosts coverage on your upholstery shop's general liability, employer’s liability, or commercial auto insurance once the policy limit is reached.
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Auto accident lawsuits
- Workplace injury lawsuits
Commercial auto insurance
This policy covers accidents involving your upholstery shop's truck, van, or other vehicle. It's typically required for vehicles owned by a business.
- Damage to another vehicle
- Injuries caused to another person
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
How much does business insurance cost for retail stores?

A small upholstery shop with only a few employees won't have to pay a lot for business insurance.
Factors that affect your upholstery shop insurance cost include:
- Products you sell, such as furniture, antiques, or fabrics
- Services you offer, such as carpet and upholstery cleaning or repair
- Whether you own a storefront or work in clients’ homes
- Value of your business property
- Where your business is located
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Coverage options
- Claims history
How do I get upholsterer insurance?
It's easy to get insurance for upholstery services if you have your business information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your company, such as type of business and number of employees.
You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance quotes and choose a policy.
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right insurance coverage for your upholstery business, whether you work independently or hire employees.
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FAQs about upholstery insurance
Review answers to frequently asked questions about upholsterer insurance.
Do upholstery shops need product liability insurance?
Yes, your upholstery store should carry product liability insurance. This coverage is usually included in general liability insurance, or you can buy it as a standalone policy.
Any business that handles products can be held liable for defects that cause an injury or damage someone's property. That could means thousands of dollars in legal fees and medical bills.
Though an upholstery shop is less likely to sell a defective product, a piece of repaired furniture could still cause harm. For instance, a reupholstered chair could break when a customer sits on it, and they might blame your shop.
It's also important to reduce your product liability risks to avoid these types of claims. Examine your work carefully to make sure there aren't any defects. Claims are costly—and they can also make your insurance rates go up.
Does upholsterer insurance protect against theft?
Protection against theft is a must-have when you store valuable furniture, including items that belong to your customers.
Commercial property insurance, included in a business owner's policy, covers costs in the event of a burglary at your shop. It also covers property damage from fires and storms.
However, property insurance only protects items that you own. You must add bailee coverage, a form of inland marine insurance, to insure your customers’ furniture and other client property while it is being left in your possession.
To guard against dishonest employees, you might also consider commercial crime insurance. This policy will cover costs if an employee forges your signature or makes off with a valuable item. You can typically add it to your property policy or BOP.
In addition to insurance, it's important to invest in security cameras to prevent theft. This can also lower your premium, but you'll have to check with your insurance company to see which security measures qualify you for a discount.
What other types of insurance should upholstery shop owners consider?
Upholsterers should consider the following types of coverage, in addition to those mentioned above:
- Business income insurance helps cover rent, lost profits, and day-to-day expenses when your upholstery store is forced to close because of damage from a fire, storm, or other covered property claim. It's also called business interruption insurance.
- Equipment breakdown insurance covers equipment that fails unexpectedly, such as a sudden malfunction of your point of sale devices.
- Electronic data processing insurance protects against financial losses related to data loss on computers, backup drives, and other electronic devices.
If you have questions or need help finding the right coverage for your risks, chat with a licensed agent.
