Sporting Goods Store Insurance

male business owner protected by sporting goods store insurance

Gear Up and Get Covered With Sporting Goods Store Insurance

You outfit your customers with the high-performance gear and specialty apparel they need to succeed. But your sporting goods shop could run into challenges any day of the week. The right insurance can help protect you from financial setbacks, so you’re properly equipped to stay in the game.
 
Quote Today
male business owner protected by sporting goods store insurance

What Is Sporting Goods Store Insurance?

Sports store insurance is made up of different types of business insurance coverages designed to help protect you from the risks you could face every day. Whether you’re fitting a customer for new gear, testing equipment or managing inventory, the right insurance can give you peace of mind, knowing you’re better prepared to handle risks like:
 
  • Customer injuries
  • Personal injuries
  • Property damage
  • Stolen equipment

Why Might You Need Sporting Goods Store Insurance?

You help customers find the right gear to push their limits, whether they’re hitting the trails, the slopes or the gym. But with specialty equipment and a lot of foot traffic, risks are always in play. Without insurance, an unexpected claim could hurt your business. Insurance coverage can help protect you from the financial and legal impacts of common challenges you might face while running a sporting goods store.
female and male small business owners know who may need sporting goods store insurance

Who May Need Sporting Goods Store Insurance?

The Hartford designed its business insurance coverage with sporting goods retailers in mind. Our coverage can help protect:
 
  • Outdoor and adventure gear shops
  • Athletic and fitness equipment stores
  • Golf pro shops and driving range stores
  • Ski and snowboard shops
  • Team sports and uniform retailers
  • Water sports and dive equipment stores
  • Specialty footwear and apparel stores

What Type of Insurance Do I Need for a Sporting Goods Business?

Many sporting goods stores 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 various types of claims.

A BOP includes: 
 
General liability insurance to help protect your sporting goods store from claims that it caused bodily injury or property damage to others, like if a customer trips over a misplaced item and gets hurt.
 
Commercial property insurance to help protect your owned or rented building, as well as the tools, equipment, inventory and supplies you use to run your sporting goods store. These can include:
 
  • Display racks and shelving units
  • Workbenches and gear repair tools
  • Security alarms and cameras
  • Point-of-sale (POS) systems
  • Packaging materials
Business income insurance to help replace lost income if you can’t operate your store temporarily because of property damage caused by fire, theft or wind.
 
At The Hartford, we know that no two businesses have the same needs or face the same risks. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to add other types of insurance to your BOP for well-rounded protection, including: 
 
Protect Your Business Like a Pro
Get the coverage you need to help safeguard your business against retail risks, so you can focus on serving your customers.
Start Quote

How Much Does Sporting Goods Store Insurance Cost?

Sporting goods store insurance costs vary because every business is unique. Some of the average costs The Hartford’s small business customers in this industry pay for common types of coverage are:**
 
  • BOP: $1,325 a year, or about $110 a month
  • Stand-alone general liability insurance: $424 a year, or about $35 a month
  • Workers’ compensation insurance: $982 a year, or about $82 a month
It’s important to remember that the cost of your retail store’s insurance may be different than the average. That’s because every business owner has specific 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.
female small business owner happy to easily get COI for sporting goods store

Proof of Insurance 24/7 

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

Covering Your Operations

Whether you’re helping customers or scouting new products to add to your lineup, you have to stay at the top of your game. But what if an accident happens, like a customer falling in your store? The right policy helps cover liabilities and disruptions, so you can get back to business quickly. 
Slips and falls were the third most common type of claim small business owners faced in 2025.1
general liability for sporting goods stores

General Liability Insurance

“My sales associate finished mopping the floor when a customer slipped and fell. They hurt their back, and we had to call an ambulance.”
 
General liability insurance helps cover claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage to someone else.
cyber liability insurance for sporting goods stores

Business Income Insurance

“A fire broke out in our storage room. Between the smoke damage and cleanup, we had to shut down for nearly two weeks.”
 
Business income insurance can help you continue paying ongoing expenses like rent, payroll and utilities when your business is unable to operate temporarily due to covered property loss.

Taking Care of Your Team

Your employees are the heart of your sporting goods store. They help customers, manage inventory and keep everything on track. But workplace injuries or unexpected incidents can happen at any time. The right insurance can help support your team by covering medical expenses, lost wages and other workplace risks.
There were over 2.3 million work-related injury cases opened in 2023. Over 946,000 cases involved days away from work.2
workers compensation for sporting goods stores

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

“One of our bike mechanics got a deep gash on her hand while fixing a customer’s bike. She had to go to urgent care for stitches and missed a few days of work.”
 
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. With The Hartford, your employees also have access to a network of over 1 million providers and 65,000 pharmacies.
EPLI for sporting goods stores

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

“My store manager was named in a lawsuit from a former employee who alleged she was terminated based on age discrimination.”
 
Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) helps protect your business from employment-related claims, like wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment. With The Hartford, you can add coverage to help cover claims made by third parties.

Protecting Your Property

Your sporting goods store is full of valuable inventory and equipment. If your business experiences a fire, theft or an unforeseen accident, insurance can help you repair or replace what’s damaged.
91% of small business owners said extreme weather is a top concern.3
commercial property insurance for sporting goods stores

Commercial Property Insurance

“A storm brought heavy winds that destroyed our outdoor display racks and damaged a few windows.”
 
Commercial property insurance helps protect your business' equipment, furniture and inventory from loss or damage caused by events like storms, fires or vandalism.
commercial auto insurance for sporting goods stores

Commercial Auto Insurance

“I was on my way to a big trade show when I lost control of our store truck and crashed into a parked car.”
 
Commercial auto insurance can help cover property damage and bodily injury claims if you or an employee gets into an accident while driving a business-owned vehicle for work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sporting Goods Store Insurance

The right type of insurance can help cover a variety of risks your retail business may face. If a customer gets injured while testing out a set of golf clubs, general liability insurance can help pay their medical bills. Commercial property insurance can help cover your building, team and company-owned vehicles when accidents happen. Plus, business income coverage can help you recoup lost revenue if you have to close temporarily due to a covered event.
Insurance is crucial because it protects you from the financial impact of injuries, property damage and accidents that could occur every day. Whether it’s stolen merchandise or a slip-and-fall claim involving an icy walkway, the costs from a single lawsuit can quickly add up. Insurance can help you pay medical bills, legal fees, damages and settlement costs from claims made against your business.
The best way to get sporting goods store insurance is to get a quote from The Hartford. We make it easy for you to get a fast and free insurance quote online. In just a few minutes, you can find customized insurance solutions that fit the needs of your sporting goods business.
male business owners happily work after getting sporting goods store insurance quote

Cover Your Bases With Sporting Goods Store Insurance

Get the coverage you need to keep your sporting goods store running smoothly.
 
Start Quote

Related Articles

 
 
Last Updated: February 23, 2026
 
1 The Hartford, “Water and Freezing Damage, Burglary Lead The Hartford’s Top Five Small-Business Claims,” viewed January 2026.
 
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2023," viewed January 2026.
 
3 Risk & Insurance, “Business Owners Cite Top Worries, Including Uninsured Risks,” viewed January 2026.
** 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.
This page outlines in general terms the coverages that may be afforded under a policy from The Hartford. All policies must be examined carefully to determine suitability for your needs and to identify any exclusions, limitations or any other terms and conditions that may specifically affect coverage. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the policy prevail.
 
All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. In Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Texas, and Washington by Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, Twin City Fire Insurance Company, Pacific Insurance Company, Limited, Sentinel Insurance Company, LTD (CA license #8701), Hartford Lloyd's Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of Illinois, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, Trumbull Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast, and Property & Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford and its property and casualty insurance company affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155.
 
Additional disclosures below.
The Hartford shall not be liable for any damages in connection with the use of any information provided on this page. Please consult with your insurance agent/broker or insurance company to determine specific coverage needs as this information is intended to be educational in nature.
 
The information contained on this page should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, or insurance advice and is not a guarantee of coverage. In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation.
 
Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. listed in the Legal Notice.
 
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, CT. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s Legal Notice.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.
Get a Business Insurance Quote