Antiques Dealer Insurance

business owner protected by antiques dealer insurance

Help Protect Your Treasures With Antiques Dealer Insurance

Whether you're uncovering rare finds or helping customers locate the perfect piece for their collection, your passion is what drives your business. However, unexpected risks can disrupt your work. The right insurance can help you stay focused on sourcing inventory and delighting your clientele.
 
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business owner protected by antiques dealer insurance

What Is Antiques Dealer Insurance?

Antiques dealer insurance is a collection of several types of business insurance coverages designed to help protect you from a range of risks in the retail industry. Whether you’re transporting valuable art to a fair or selling heirloom furniture in your store, it can help cover the financial impact of claims. With antique shop insurance solutions, you can be better prepared to handle things like:
 
  • Customer injury
  • Personal injury
  • Property damage
  • Stolen equipment

Why Might You Need Antiques Dealer Insurance?

The historical items you find are truly irreplaceable, but if an accident or theft happens, are you financially prepared to deal with it? Even the most experienced dealers face risks beyond their control. From stolen items to a slip-and-fall accident, antique store insurance can help protect you from unexpected losses and legal issues.
small business owners protected by antique dealer insurance

Who May Need Antiques Dealer Insurance?

We designed our antiques dealer insurance solutions with antique sellers like you in mind. Our coverages can help protect:
 
  • Antique dealers
  • Vintage boutiques
  • Traveling antique show vendors
  • Antique furniture restorers
  • Collectors and exhibitors
  • Auction houses

What Type of Insurance Do I Need as an Antiques Dealer?

Many antique dealers have a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) as the foundation of their insurance plan for the peace of mind it can provide. It includes three types of coverage to help protect your business from claims of bodily injury or property damage.
 
A BOP includes:
 
General liability insurance to help protect your store from claims that it caused bodily injury or property damage to others. For example, if you damage a client’s flooring while delivering furniture, this coverage can help pay to replace it or cover the cost of a settlement.
 
Commercial property insurance to help protect your owned or rented building, as well as tools, equipment, inventory and supplies you use to operate your antique shop. These can include:
 
  • Display cases
  • Shelving units
  • Appraisal guides
  • Packing materials
  • Security systems
Business income insurance to help replace lost income if you can’t operate your antique shop because of a covered event, like fire damage in your store.
 
At The Hartford, we know every antiques dealer has unique needs. So, we’ve made it easy for you to add other types of insurance to your BOP for well-rounded protection. These can include: 
 
Secure Your Business
Help protect your shop from the financial impact of claims or damage, so you can keep doing the work you love.
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How Much Does Insurance for Antiques Dealers Cost? 

The cost of insurance for antiques dealers varies because every business faces different risks. The average costs The Hartford’s small business customers in this industry pay for common types of coverage are:**
 
  • BOP: $1,687 a year, or about $141 a month
  • Stand-alone general liability insurance: $810 a year, or about $68 a month
  • Workers’ compensation insurance: $1,032 a year, or $86 a month
It’s important to remember that the cost of your antiques dealer insurance may differ from the average. That’s because every business owner has unique needs, and insurers may use several factors to determine rates. The best way to find out how much you’ll pay for insurance is to get a quote.
small business owner happy to get proof of antique store insurance

Proof of Insurance on Your Time

Get your proof of insurance quickly and easily. Access your certificate online 24/7.

Covering Your Operations

Whether you’re transporting priceless antiques or storing one-of-a-kind treasures, accidents can lead to costly losses. Insurance is there to help shield you from theft, inventory damage and conflicts that could disrupt your work. 
Slips and falls are the third-most common claim small business owners faced between 2015 and 2025.1
general liability for antiques dealers

General Liability Insurance

“A customer browsing the shop tripped over a rug in one of our displays and twisted his ankle. He ended up filing a claim to cover his medical expenses.”
 
General liability helps cover claims that your antique business hurt somebody else. It can help cover their medical bills or your legal costs if you get sued.
business income insurance for antiques dealers

Business Income Insurance

“A heavy snowstorm damaged our roof, which created a safety hazard. The shop was closed for six weeks while we got it repaired.”
 
Business income insurance can help you continue paying ongoing expenses like rent, payroll and utilities if your business is unable to operate temporarily due to covered property loss.

Taking Care of Your Team

Workplace accidents and injuries can happen, whether in your shop or at an estate sale. The right insurance solutions can help cover medical expenses, lost wages and liability claims, so you can support your staff and keep your operations running smoothly.
Ergonomic injuries make up 33% of all worker injuries in the U.S.2
workers compensation for antiques dealers

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

“One of my furniture refinishers developed carpal tunnel from hours of sanding and polishing. They needed physical therapy to relieve the pain.”
 
Workers’ compensation insurance gives your team benefits to help them recover from work-related injuries or illnesses. It can help pay their medical bills and replace lost wages if they can’t work. With The Hartford, your employees also have access to a network of over 1 million providers and 65,000 pharmacies.
commercial auto liability insurance for antiques dealers

Commercial Auto Insurance

“I was on my way to a local antique show when I rear-ended another truck with the store van. It had to be towed, and the other driver was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.”
 
Commercial auto insurance can help protect you and your employees on the road when a company-owned vehicle is being used for business.

Protecting Your Property

Your antiques aren’t just merchandise, they’re history, craftsmanship and the heart of your business. But theft, damage or unexpected loss can put your valuable pieces at risk. Antique dealer insurance helps safeguard your inventory, whether it’s in your shop, at a show or in transit.
75% of water damage losses are caused by plumbing, HVAC systems and other appliances that discharge liquid accidentally.3
commercial property insurance for antiques dealers

Commercial Property Insurance

“A plumbing issue in the upstairs unit flooded part of our showroom, ruining some merchandise and costing us a fortune in ceiling repairs.”
 
Commercial property insurance helps protect your business' equipment, furniture and tools from loss or damage caused by events like storms, fires, vandalism or leaky plumbing.
EPLI for antiques dealers

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

“My store manager let an employee go after he was repeatedly late for his shifts. He ended up suing us for unfair termination.”
 
Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) hhelps protect your business from employment-related claims, like wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment. It can also help cover claims made by a third party. With The Hartford, this coverage is included in a BOP.

Antiques Dealer Insurance Made for Your Industry

With more than 200 years of insurance experience, The Hartford understands the challenges antiques dealers face. It’s why we created our insurance solutions with retailers in mind, so you focus on running your shop with confidence.
 
Find out more about other similar professions we can help protect:
 

Frequently Asked Questions About Antiques Dealer Insurance

Antiques dealer insurance is made up of different coverages to help protect your shop from various risks. For example, if a customer trips and falls in your store and hurts themselves, general liability insurance can help cover their medical bills. If an employee mishandles a fragile antique and causes significant damage, commercial property insurance can help pay to fix it. Since every antique dealer faces unique risks, you can get several types of insurance to create a more comprehensive plan.
Antiques dealer insurance helps cover risks like property damage, theft and liability claims. That means you’re not left paying out of pocket for costly losses or legal expenses for covered claims. In addition, some states also require business owners to have certain coverage, like workers’ compensation. If you don’t comply, you could face fines, fees or penalties.
The best way to get antique store insurance from The Hartford is to get a quote. We make it easy for you to get a fast and free insurance quote online. In just a few minutes, you can find insurance that meets the needs of your antique shop or vintage store.
business owner happy after getting insurance for antique dealers quote

Preserve Your Peace of Mind With Antiques Dealer Insurance 

Get the coverage you need to keep your antiques business flourishing.
 
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Related Articles

 
 
Last Updated: December 19, 2025
 
1 The Hartford, “Water And Freezing Damage, Burglary Lead The Hartford’s Top Five Small-Business Claims”
 
2 American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), "Why Ergonomics Should Be at the Forefront of Worker Safety and Well-Being"
 
3 Risk and Insurance, "Water Damage Claims Continue To Drive Non-CAT Property Losses”
** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.
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