Convenience Stores & Markets Coverage Guide
C-stores face high slip-and-fall frequency (spills, ice on entries), armed-robbery exposure (clerk injuries are WC), and tobacco/alcohol/lottery licensing risks. Many also have gas pumps — that adds pollution exposure.
Critical Coverage
General Liability
Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims
What it covers
Slip/fall (top loss type), robbery-related injuries to customers, advertising injury.
Common misconception
C-stores have one of the highest slip/fall claim frequencies in retail due to entry spills, ice, and rain runoff.
What it does NOT cover
Liquor (separate). Auto. Employment.
The gap — what happens without it
Customer slips on ice at entry — $42K medical claim. GL pays.
What drives your premium
Square footage, hours (24-hour higher), location, claims
Endorsements to ask about
Liquor liability if you sell beer/wine. Assault & battery sub-limit.
Workers' Compensation
Covers employee injuries and illnesses on the job
What it covers
Robbery-related injuries (PTSD, assault), slip/fall, repetitive motion at register.
Common misconception
Late-night clerks face armed-robbery exposure — workplace-violence WC claims are real.
What it does NOT cover
Owner exemption.
The gap — what happens without it
Clerk held at gunpoint files PTSD claim — $30K. WC pays.
What drives your premium
Payroll, hours, location, claims
Endorsements to ask about
Workplace violence/PTSD.
Commercial Property
Covers your building, equipment, and inventory
What it covers
Building, fixtures, inventory. Lottery and tobacco licenses are sometimes scheduled.
Common misconception
Inventory turnover is high — schedule actual values not historical.
What it does NOT cover
Flood. Earthquake. Spoilage.
The gap — what happens without it
Walk-in cooler failure spoils $4K of food. Spoilage coverage pays.
What drives your premium
Building, inventory, fire suppression
Endorsements to ask about
Spoilage. Equipment breakdown. Robbery/burglary.
Important Coverage
Liquor Liability
Covers claims arising from serving alcohol
What it covers
Dram-shop claims for off-premises alcohol sales (rare but possible in some states).
Common misconception
C-stores think only on-premises consumption creates dram-shop exposure. Some states extend liability for sales to obviously-intoxicated buyers.
What it does NOT cover
Service to minors.
The gap — what happens without it
Sale to a visibly intoxicated customer who causes fatal accident — $250K dram-shop suit. Liquor liability pays.
What drives your premium
Alcohol revenue, state law
Endorsements to ask about
Off-premises dram-shop coverage.
Business Interruption
Covers lost income when operations are disrupted
What it covers
Lost income from closure.
Common misconception
C-stores have low margins; closures are catastrophic.
What it does NOT cover
Pandemic.
The gap — what happens without it
Fire closes store 8 weeks — $90K lost income. BI pays.
What drives your premium
Revenue, restoration
Endorsements to ask about
Extended period.
Situational Coverage
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)
Covers wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment claims
What it covers
Employment claims; high turnover increases frequency.
Common misconception
Hourly workers file EEOC charges regularly.
What it does NOT cover
Wage/hour.
The gap — what happens without it
Terminated clerk files harassment charge — $25K. EPLI pays.
What drives your premium
Employees, state
Endorsements to ask about
Wage/hour.
Not sure what you need?
Text us your trade and state — we'll tell you exactly what coverages apply to your business and shop the market for the best rate.