Every ride starts at your shop.
Product and repair liability, coverage for customer bikes in your care, inventory including e-bikes and batteries, rental and tour liability, and workers' comp for bicycle shops.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Repairs, batteries and rentals
A bike shop's work rides away on public streets. A brake job, a loose stem or a badly installed e-bike conversion can lead to a serious injury claim long after the customer leaves. E-bikes add lithium batteries that can catch fire while charging or stored in the shop.
California sorts e-bikes into three classes by speed and motor type, and customers rely on you to sell and set them up right. I cover the shop, the stock and customer bikes, and add rental or tour liability if you rent bikes out.
- Product and completed workClaims tied to bikes you sell or repair.
- InventoryBikes, e-bikes, batteries and parts.
- Customer bikesBikes in for service, when added.
- Rental liabilityRentals and guided rides, when disclosed.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Shop: address and square footage.
- Sales mix: bikes, e-bikes, parts and service by share.
- Batteries: how e-bike batteries are stored and charged.
- Rentals: number of rental bikes, waivers and tours.
- Revenue and payroll: annual figures.
- History: current policies and claims.
Bike shop insurance, answered
Is a battery fire in my shop covered?
Fire damage to your property is usually covered, subject to the policy. Some markets ask how batteries are stored and charged before they quote, so I gather that up front.
Does my policy cover rentals?
Not automatically. Rentals and guided rides need to be disclosed, and some markets want signed waivers and helmet rules.
What about customer bikes stolen from my shop?
Customer property in your care needs its own coverage line. I can add it, subject to the policy's terms and limits.
Do e-bike conversions change my coverage?
Yes. Installing motors and batteries on bikes not built for them is a bigger risk, and many markets ask about it directly.
Do you offer bike shop insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Official sources
Insure your bike shop
Tell me about your sales, repairs, e-bikes and rentals. I'll find markets that write bike shops and explain what each one covers.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
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Takes about 30 seconds. Your application link comes by email right away, and you get an update at every step until your quotes are ready.
(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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