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Petrol Station Insurance FAQs

Straight answers to the questions we're asked most often by petrol station and forecourt owners, commission operators and landlords. If you can't find what you're looking for here, get in touch and we'll talk it through directly.

What is petrol station insurance?

Petrol station insurance is a specialist commercial policy designed for forecourt and fuel retail businesses. It typically combines property cover for the forecourt, shop and equipment, public and employers' liability, business interruption, stock and cash cover, and environmental liability for fuel-related risks such as leaks or contamination. Because forecourts carry risks that standard commercial policies don't cover, most petrol station owners need a policy arranged by a broker who understands the sector.

Is petrol station insurance a legal requirement?

Employers' Liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK for any petrol station with staff, including part-time or casual workers, with a minimum of £5 million cover. Public liability isn't legally required but is considered essential given the volume of public footfall on a forecourt. Fuel suppliers, landlords and lenders will also often require evidence of adequate property and liability cover as a condition of their agreement.

What does petrol station insurance typically cover?

A typical policy includes:

• Public liability - injury or damage to customers or third parties

• Employers' liability - required by law where you have staff

• Property and forecourt buildings cover

• Business contents and equipment

• Business interruption if the site has to close after an insured event

• Stock cover for both fuel and shop stock

• Cash and money cover

• Environmental liability for pollution or contamination risks such as fuel leaks

Cover can be tailored depending on whether you're an owner-operator, a commission operator, or a landlord.

What's the biggest cause of claims at petrol stations?

While fire and fuel-related incidents get the most attention, slips, trips and falls are among the most common causes of injury and public liability claims on a forecourt. This is largely down to how busy forecourts are and the potential for spilled fuel, oil or water to create slippery surfaces. Regular site maintenance and clear signage can help reduce this risk, alongside adequate public liability cover.

How much does petrol station insurance cost?

Cost varies significantly based on factors including site size, fuel throughput, whether you operate a shop or food-to-go alongside fuel sales, claims history, number of employees, and the level of environmental and business interruption cover required. Because every forecourt's risk profile is different, the most accurate way to get a figure is a tailored quote rather than a generic estimate - as an independent broker we compare across our panel of insurers to find competitive terms for your specific site.

Can I get insurance for a multi-site petrol station business?

Yes, multi-site operators can arrange a single combined policy covering all their forecourts, which is often more efficient and can be more cost-effective than insuring each site separately. This also gives a consistent level of cover and a single point of contact for claims across the whole portfolio, which matters when a claims event affects business interruption calculations across multiple sites.

How do I make a claim on my petrol station insurance?

You should contact your broker or insurer as soon as possible after an incident, providing details of what happened, any photos or evidence, and details of anyone involved. Forecourt claims often involve multiple parties (fuel suppliers, loss adjusters, regulators) and are rarely straightforward, so working with a broker who understands the sector and can manage the claims process on your behalf, rather than leaving you to deal directly with a loss adjuster, makes a material difference to the outcome.

Why use a specialist broker instead of a general commercial insurer?

Forecourt risks - fuel storage, environmental liability, high public footfall, complex operator arrangements - fall outside what most general commercial insurers are set up to underwrite well. A specialist broker understands which insurers have genuine appetite for forecourt risk, how policies should be worded to avoid gaps in cover, and how to manage a claim when something goes wrong. This typically results in more appropriate cover and a smoother claims process than a generic commercial policy.