Does Pharmacy Insurance Cover Break-ins And Damage To My Store?

You’re aware that pharmacy insurance will cover any mistakes you make when dispensing medicine – but will it cover you if your pharmacy is broken into?

Yes – this will be covered under the shop or retail section of your policy. It will cover the damage caused to your doors, shutters or windows during the actual break-in as well as any stolen items.

In this article, we’ll cover the following questions:

• What does pharmacy insurance cover?
• What do I do if my pharmacy is broken into?
• How do I prevent a pharmacy break-in?

Pharmacies are high risk businesses for theft. You should protect your business from break ins, as well as making sure you have comprehensive insurance in place.

What does pharmacy insurance cover?

Pharmacy insurance is made up of protections which are tailored to the specific risks you face in your line of work, such as liability cover with property damage, legal assistance and more, depending on your needs.

Pharmacy insurance is a specialist type of policy, tailored to businesses in this sector. When you operate a pharmacy, you have access to specialist products such as chemist insurance and dispensary insurance.

Pharmacists are trained professionals who often operate in retail premises. This makes your pharmacy different from the other shops around you, and your business costs will be higher, especially for business interruption.

It’s important to be clear about what pharmacy insurance you need, so that you avoid being overinsured or underinsured. If you’re not sure about pharmacy insurance, give us a call and we’ll be happy to talk to you about it.

What do I do if my pharmacy is broken into?

First of all, phone the Gardai immediately. If the robbery is in progress, do not attempt to intervene, for any reason. It’s not worth the risk to your safety – your insurance and the authorities are much better equipped to handle the situation.

Once the Gardai have been out to inspect the premises and have given you a crime number, your next call should be to your insurance provider. They will walk you through the next steps in the process.

The President of the Irish Pharmacy Union stated not long ago that pharmacists are seen as easy targets by criminals. A survey by the IPU found that 4 out of 5 pharmacies in Ireland had been targeted within 2018, and reports suggest those figures haven’t improved much.

Not all robberies are targeting the prescription drugs found in pharmacies. Many are typical retail crimes, such as stealing money from the till or other products. High-end perfumes and electrical personal care appliances also contribute to pharmacies’ status as ideal targets.

How do I prevent a pharmacy break-in?

In order to keep your pharmacy safe, you should install a top of the line alarm system which automatically informs law enforcement if something goes wrong. Test it regularly, and conduct drills with your staff for what to do if this alarm is ever triggered.

Proper lighting both inside and outside the store is also crucial. Advertisements on the windows should be used sparingly, as they block the view of people walking by who may spot a crime in progress.

Pharmacy owners also need to do everything they can to make the rear of their pharmacy uninviting for would-be burglars. Add good lighting, reinforce doors and locks, and keep back alleys and passageways clear of boxes and clutter.

Remember that it is highly likely that the burglars will come into the store sometime during business hours to scope out the premises. If suspicious persons are noted, or seemingly inappropriate questions are asked about the store, pharmacy employees should note their physical description and discreetly obtain any vehicle license plate number, if possible, and pass on these details to the Gardai.

In many cases, the local Gardai will be happy to come round to your pharmacy and give you a free security appraisal. They’ll inform you of your retail premises’ strengths and weaknesses, and let you know what you need to do in an emergency.

Wondering which pharmacy insurance is right for you? Give us a call today, and our insurance experts can help.