Small Manufacturing and Wholesale Insurance in Tennessee

More manufacturing and wholesale businesses

These business types share many of the same risks. Each has a short overview below.

3D printing businesses

Printed parts can fail in use, so products liability matters, plus equipment coverage for printers and cyber for design files.

Apparel and accessories makers

Clothing and accessory makers face product claims, inventory loss, and goods in transit. Products liability, property, and inland marine are common.

Electronics assembly

Assembled electronics can overheat or fail. Products liability, equipment breakdown, and property coverage are key.

Food and beverage producers

Small food and drink makers face contamination, recall, and spoilage concerns. Products liability, spoilage, and equipment breakdown are central. Ask whether recall coverage makes sense.

Home goods makers

Makers of candles, soaps, and decor face product claims like burns or reactions. Products liability and property coverage are the core.

Jewelry makers

Jewelry makers hold valuable materials and finished pieces. Coverage designed for jewelers, crime coverage, and products liability are key.

Machine shops

Machine shops run heavy equipment and make parts others rely on. Products and completed operations liability, equipment breakdown, and workers’ comp are central.

Wood furniture and woodworking shops

Woodshops face fire from dust and finishes, tool injuries, and product claims. Property, products liability, and workers’ comp are key.

Wholesale distributors (durable goods)

Distributors of equipment and hardware face product claims passed up the chain, plus warehouse and transit risks. Products liability, property, and inland marine are common.

Wholesale distributors (nondurable goods)

Distributors of food, paper, and other consumables face spoilage, product, and warehouse risks. Products liability, property, and spoilage coverage are worth reviewing.

Coverages common in manufacturing and wholesale

• General liability Helps if your business is blamed for injuring someone or damaging their property, and usually pays for a legal defense.
• Products liability Covers injury or damage caused by products you make, sell, or distribute. Usually part of general liability.
• Commercial property Covers your building (if you own it), equipment, furniture, and inventory after covered losses like fire or theft.
• Equipment breakdown Covers sudden mechanical or electrical breakdown of things like coolers, compressors, and HVAC.
• Business income Can replace lost income and pay ongoing bills if a covered loss forces you to close for a while.
• Workers’ compensation Pays medical bills and lost wages if an employee is hurt on the job, and includes employer’s liability.

All coverage is subject to underwriting and policy terms. Not every business needs every coverage.

Tennessee rules to know

Workers’ comp. Most Tennessee employers outside construction and coal mining must carry workers’ compensation once they have five or more employees, full- or part-time, per the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Even below that number, many owners choose to carry it.

We can review your requirements and help you shop workers’ compensation and other coverages, subject to underwriting.

Certificates of insurance

Landlords, clients, venues, and general contractors often ask for a certificate of insurance before you start. If they want to be an additional insured, the policy usually needs an endorsement. Our certificate of insurance checklist explains what to check.

Related guides

• All business types
• Business insurance in Middle Tennessee
• General liability insurance
• Small business insurance checklist (PDF)
• Starting a business in Tennessee