Wholesaler & Distributor

If you are a wholesaler or distributor, there is no question that you have particular insurance needs. Depending on your operation and the type of goods you sell or distribute, binding the right coverage and adding the proper endorsements can be the difference between flourishing and filing for bankruptcy. For over 20 years, Meslee insurance has been a leader in providing custom crafted policies for the wholesale and distribution industry. We understand that providing insurance solutions is not about simply binding a policy but more about designing a customized program to manage and minimize the specific exposures faced by your business. Our relationships with multiple carriers allows us to seek out the most comprehensive yet cost effective solutions in the marketplace. Our licensed and educated staff has helped hundreds attain the proper coverage and it would be our privilege to do the same for you. Time and time again we are approached by business owners who mistakenly bought inadequate policies and only discover this after dealing with an uncovered loss. Do not make the same mistake and instead make certain that the future of your organization is protected. Give us a call today to have one of our representatives consult you to make sure you have the proper protection.

Basic Coverages to be considered when obtaining a Wholesaler or Distributor BOP include

I: Business Property Insurance:

• Building Property Coverage: Coverage to help you quickly repair or rebuild damages to the structure of the store. (Can be covered at Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value)

• Business Personal Property Coverage: Coverage to help you replace the contents in your store such as computers, desks, phones and more. (Can be covered at Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value)

• Business Income Coverage: Also known as Business Interruption Coverage, Business Income Coverage will allow you to continue to receive income while your store is being repaired or rebuilt. Not only does it cover costs for payroll and operating expenses but will also help by replacing lost revenue.

• Outdoor Signs Coverage: Covers costs to replace outdoor signs, plants and shrubs, fences and more.

• Ordinance or Law Insurance: Ordinance or law insurance covers the costs associated with having to demolish and rebuild to code when your building has been partially destroyed.

• Other: As you know, different wholesalers & distributors have different exposures. Meslee Insurance can help you find particular coverage endorsements that fit your operation. Additional endorsements available include but are not limited to: Own Brand & Label Coverage, Product Recall Expenses, Transportation (Transit) Coverage, Earthquake Coverage (where available), Spoilage Endorsement and additional insured endorsements for co-owners, managers or lessors of equipment and vendors.

II: Business Liability Insurance:

• Premises & Operations Liability: Coverage that protects you from liability for injury or damages arising out of your premises or your business operations. For example, if a customer slips in your warehouse and decides to sue you for injuries, premises and operations liability will cover injury and defense costs.

• Products and Completed Operations: Coverage that protects you from liability arising out of your products or business operations conducted away from your premises once those operations have been completed or abandoned. For example, you are in the business of wholesaling electronics and someone gets hurt while trying your product. Should the case go to court, products and completed operations coverage will help handle the defense costs and legal damages that come with service of suit.

• Personal & Advertising Injury Liability: Insurance that covers liability for a group of specifically named offenses not related to property damage or bodily injury but are common exposures to most organizations. Examples of this are false arrest, wrongful eviction, malicious prosecution, libel, slander, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement and more.

• Employment Practices Liability: Coverage that protects you from wrongful acts arising from the employment process such as wrongful termination, discrimination and sexual harassment. EPLI coverage is also offered as a standalone policy and more information can be found by visiting the EPLI section of our website.

• Other: Just like with Business Property Insurance, there are many endorsements that can be found to protect your particular situation. Examples of this could be Liquor Liability Insurance or Employer’s Liability (Stop Gap) Insurance.

III: Business Crime Insurance:

• Employee Dishonest Coverage: Coverage that protects you from situations where your employee or group of employees are stealing inventory or acting dishonestly in various ways.

• Money & Securities: Coverage that protects you from theft of money or other property stolen from your premise or from an employee performing tasks like going to the bank for a deposit.

• Money Orders & Counterfeit Paper Currency Coverage: Coverage that protects you should you discover that customers have been using counterfeit currency to purchase your products or services

• Forgery & Alteration Coverage: Coverage that protects you from outside accountants or bookkeepers that are acting dishonestly. An example of this could be a bookkeeper that is writing themselves checks payable by you!

Some Wholesale Operations that we commonly work with:

• Beverage Distributors

• Motor Vehicle Supplies

• Fruits & Vegetable Distributors

• Office Equipment Dealers

• Stationery & Office Supplies Distributors

• Hardware Wholesalers

• Photographic Equipment Suppliers

• Personal Goods Suppliers

• Poultry & Meat Products

• Electronics Wholesalers

• Non Durable Goods

• Fabric Wholesalers

• Dairy Product Distributors

• Packaged & Frozen Foods Distributors

• Clothing Wholesalers

• Building Service Equipment

• Heating & Air Conditioning Parts

• And much more

Other information

• The coverages listed above are general coverages that you will find on most Wholesaler & Distributor BOP policies. Additional and more specific coverage options are available based on the type of business.

• Please visit our insurance glossary tab for a full list of insurance terms and definitions.

• There are many discounts available to help reduce your premium. Please visit our learning insurance discounts page to find out more information on how to maximize your savings.

This page contains only a general description of coverages and is not a contract. Details of coverage or limits may vary in some states and by carrier. All coverages are subject to the terms, provisions, exclusions, and conditions in the policy itself and in any endorsements.