It’s no secret that florists emanate creativity and passion for their craft, often designing floral masterpieces the average person couldn’t even dream of. If you’re a floral retailer, you’re likely nodding your head in agreement. While administrative tasks aren't what you went into business to do, it's important to harness some of that energy and apply it to essentials, like learning how to protect the business you're passionate about with appropriate insurance coverage. Fortunately, we're passionate about the business you're in, too, so we can help.
Retail florist insurance plays a major role in helping support the financial well-being of your business, whether you’re an independent shop or part of a larger floral operation. From liability coverage and workers’ compensation to commercial property and auto insurance, there are a variety of coverages to consider. But which are appropriate for your business?
We’ve created this comprehensive insurance guide specifically for retail florists like you to help explain how your business can benefit from certain coverages. We hope to help you understand the important role of insurance—types and amounts of coverages for bottom line protection—in your short- and long-term business plan. Use this guide as a tool to review with your insurance provider, or you can contact us.
Common risks for retail florists
Customers browse your shop as you actively work on floral orders, deliveries come in and go out, and workers stock inventory. These are commonplace activities in a floral business, and so are the risks that surround them.
Ever-present risks in today’s retail floral businesses:
Order delay or damage
Inventory loss
Delivery accidents
Customer injury
Employee injury
Cyber attacks
Theft
You deal with exposure to chemicals, knives, thorns, and potentially allergic reactions. Stems can be coated in a variety of chemicals including pesticides or herbicides, and aerosols are used daily in a typical flower shop. It’s a good idea to meet with your insurance agent to identify risk exposures at your particular business and then work together to select the types and amounts of coverages that align with those exposures.
We have a Safety Services team that can help you identify hazards, manage your risks, and create a safety plan to help you keep your business and your employees safe.
Key insurance for your floral business
Retail florist insurance is designed to help protect your business and employees no matter if the majority of your sales are from wire services or walk-in customers, you own your building or rent, have multiple designers, or are a one-person shop.
Make sure to review your state requirements for business insurance. Not all states require the same insurance coverages. And even optional coverages can be beneficial for your business.
Here’s a breakdown of key coverages to consider:
Commercial property
From your delicate floral inventory to the building itself, there’s a lot of opportunity for loss at your business—whether it’s equipment breakdowns, storm damage, theft, or fire. If your cooling equipment breaks down, it can mean weeks of lost inventory and productivity. You can easily customize your commercial property insurance based on your building, equipment, inventory, business income, and other exposures.
General liability
Displays, hanging baskets, and cluttered or slippery floors are common injury hazards. So is the sick pet who ate the wrong plant, or a customer’s allergic reaction to the leaf shine spray used on a delivery. General liability coverage can help you protect your business if someone is injured at your shop, or if you sell a product that causes injury or damage. General liability can also include cyber liability coverage to help protect customer data and financial records—especially as online business continues to grow.
Commercial auto
Floral deliveries and event transports are typical activities for retail florist businesses. As a business owner, you’re responsible for the actions of your employees on the road—and an accident can be devastating. Commercial auto insurance can help cover accidents that happen when you’re using a vehicle for your business. It can also help cover your business if you or an employee use a personal vehicle on behalf of the business.
Workers’ compensation
Protecting your employees after an on-the-job injury is important. So is protecting your business from litigation. Workers’ compensation coverage can help pay for medical and related expenses for employees injured while working. It also reimburses them for a portion of lost wages while they’re unable to work.
Umbrella liability
This is optional coverage that picks up where your standard liability policy coverage ends. Umbrella liability coverage provides an extra layer of coverage that can help protect your floral business in the event of a catastrophic liability loss or a large judgment against you or your company.
Insurance solutions for retail florists
An important consideration in securing appropriate insurance for your retail floral business is knowledgeably selecting an appropriate insurance provider. Rather than price shopping for the lowest premiums, weed out the standardized insurance companies and focus on one that specializes in your industry and understands your business and risks.
Hortica® is a brand of Sentry insurance Group. Hortica property and casualty coverages are underwritten, and loss control services are provided, by Florists’ Mutual Insurance Company, Florists’ Insurance Company, and Florists’ Insurance Service, Inc. Tailored coverages, like floral holiday seasonal increases, are provided specifically for businesses like yours within the horticultural industry.
Our goal is to provide you the proper business insurance coverage and risk management you’re looking for. We’ll also work with you to reduce losses, operate a safe business, and provide prompt claim settlements.
If you have any questions about insuring your business or would like to review your current policy, contact us today or complete this simple form to request a quote.
Related links:
Understand the steps and what to expect during a safety visit from your insurance provider.
Learn more about the risk management solutions and loss control programs to help protect your employees, customers, inventory, and bottom line.
Protect your business from liability exposures. Here are five common claim scenarios that illustrate the value of your liability policy.
The information in this article is for informational or entertainment purposes only. View our disclaimer by going to terms and conditions and clicking on Learning Center disclaimer in the table of contents.