Resoled, restitched and insured.
Coverage for customers' shoes, bags and jackets in your care, your finishing machines and stock, and liability and workers' comp for repair shops.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Other people's shoes on your shelves
Most of what sits in a shoe repair shop belongs to customers: designer heels, work boots, handbags, leather jackets. A fire, a burst pipe or a break-in can hit dozens of customers at once, and a standard policy may cover little of it.
Shops also run finishing machines, stitchers and grinders and use solvent glues and dyes that need ventilation and safe storage. I place property with coverage for customers' goods, liability and workers' comp.
- Bailee coverageCustomers' items in your care, damaged or stolen.
- Business personal propertyFinishing machines, stitchers and stock.
- General liabilityCustomer injuries in the shop.
- Workers' compMachine injuries and fume exposure.
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, size and alarm.
- Customer goods: typical and peak value on hand.
- Equipment: machines and their values.
- Chemicals: glues, dyes and how they're stored.
- Revenue and payroll: annual figures.
- History: current policies and any past claims.
Shoe repair insurance, answered
Are customers' shoes covered if my shop burns?
Only if the policy covers property of others in your care. I add a limit that fits your busiest week.
What if I ruin an expensive bag during repair?
Damage from the work itself is often excluded. Bailee and property-of-others wording varies, so I check it.
Do I need workers' comp for one helper?
Yes. California requires it once you have an employee.
Is my shoeshine stand at an airport covered?
Each location should be listed. Airports and hotels often require higher limits and additional insured status.
Do you offer shoe repair 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.
Send your shop details. I'll shop it.
Address, equipment and customer goods on hand are enough to start.
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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(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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