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Recommended wholesaler and distributor insurance policies
A lawsuit, worker injury, or fire could halt operations at your wholesale or distribution business. Find peace of mind with insurance coverage designed for your unique risks.
General liability insurance
This policy helps pay for legal costs from accidental property damage and injuries. Bundle it with commercial property insurance for savings in a business owner's policy (BOP).
BEST FOR
- Customer bodily injuries
- Customer property damage
- Product liability claims
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for wholesale businesses and distributors that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Lawsuits from employee injuries
Business owner’s policy
A BOP bundles commercial property insurance and general liability coverage in one plan. It's often the most cost-effective type of insurance for wholesale and distribution businesses.
BEST FOR
- Customer injuries
- Damaged business property
- Business interruption incidents
Commercial umbrella insurance
Umbrella insurance helps cover the most expensive lawsuits. It boosts coverage on a wholesaler’s general liability, commercial auto, or employer’s liability insurance policy once its limit is reached.
BEST FOR
- Customer injury lawsuits
- Customer property damage lawsuits
- Employee injury lawsuits
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance can pay for liability claims and property damage in an accident involving a business vehicle. It can also cover vehicle theft and vandalism.
BEST FOR
- Auto accident injuries
- Property damage caused by your vehicle
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Cyber insurance
A cyber liability policy helps wholesale distributors recover from data breaches and cyberattacks. It's recommended for any business that stores credit card numbers or other sensitive data.
BEST FOR
- Data breach investigations
- Customer notification costs
- Fraud monitoring services
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
Does my wholesale business need commercial auto insurance?
Wholesale businesses and distributors that purchase commercial auto insurance often:
- Have a vehicle titled to their business
- Drive to and from worksites
- Carry supplies, equipment, or products used for work
- Transport clients or employees
- Rely on delivery drivers or couriers
Check the laws in your state to see when coverage is required.
How much does insurance cost for wholesalers?
Several factors will have an impact on wholesaler and distributor insurance costs, including:
- Services and products offered
- Business equipment and property
- Business income
- Location
- Type of insurance or surety bonds purchased
- Number of employees
- Claims history
How do I get wholesale and distribution business insurance?
It’s easy to find business insurance for wholesalers and distributors. Whether your focus is beverages, jewelry, or computers, you’ll need to have some basic information about your business available.
Our application will ask you for your annual revenue and payroll, among other details. You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare free quotes and choose a policy.
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate for proof of insurance.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right insurance solutions for your wholesale business, whether you work independently or hire employees.
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Common questions about wholesaler and distributor business insurance
Do wholesalers and distributors need product liability insurance?
Yes. Any business that manufactures, sells, or distributes products should carry product liability insurance.
A wholesaler or distributor could be held liable when a product injures a customer or leads to property damage. You could face a product liability lawsuit even if the harm was caused by a defective product you weren't responsible for, improper instructions, or mislabeled packaging.
Product liability insurance is typically included with your general liability insurance or business owner's policy.
What is the difference between retail and wholesale insurance?
Retailer and reseller insurance is very similar to wholesaler and distributor insurance. For example, both types of businesses should carry:
- General liability insurance to cover legal costs if a customer sues over an accident
- Product liability insurance, as any business in the supply chain can be held liable for damage caused by a product
- Commercial property insurance, included in a BOP, to protect against incidents that damage inventory or equipment
- Workers' compensation insurance for their employees, usually mandated by state laws
- Commercial auto insurance for their delivery trucks and other business-owned vehicles, also required by most states
- Cyber insurance to recover from financial losses caused by a cyberattack or data breach
A retailer might need general liability insurance to sign a store lease, while a wholesaler might need it to sign a contract with a client. Beyond any requirements from landlords, clients, and state laws, these policies provide crucial protection that can help your business survive financially when a crisis hits.
What other insurance coverage do wholesale and distribution businesses need?
In addition to the policies mentioned above, wholesalers and distributors should consider the following coverage options:
- Surety bonds reimburse your client in the event of a delayed delivery or other breach of contract. Some clients may require you to carry a bond.
- Inland marine insurance covers items in transit and stored off-site, as opposed to property insurance which only covers items at your business location.
- Warehouse legal liability insurance provides coverage for items stored at your warehouse that belong to another business or client.
- Business income coverage, also called business interruption insurance, pays daily operating costs and related expenses when a fire or other covered loss forces your business to close.
- Crime insurance helps pay for losses when an employee steals from a client or your business.
- Equipment breakdown coverage covers the unexpected breakdown of production machinery or other equipment.
- Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O), can help pay for legal costs when a client sues over an error or oversight that caused a financial loss.
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