Supermarkets

What Does GL Code 18501 Cover?

ISO GL class code 18501 covers supermarkets, which are retail establishments primarily engaged in selling a wide variety of food products, including fresh produce, meats, dairy, and packaged goods, along with household items. This code classifies operations involving customer foot traffic, product handling, and potential slip-and-fall hazards inherent in a grocery store environment.

Who Uses This Class Code?

This code applies to large-scale grocery stores, independent supermarkets, specialty food markets with broad product offerings, and hypermarkets that dedicate significant space to grocery sales. Businesses like Publix, Winn-Dixie, Whole Foods Market, and local family-owned grocery stores would typically fall under this classification.

Common GL Claims for This Class

Common claims for supermarkets include customer slip-and-fall incidents due to spills or wet floors, foodborne illness claims from contaminated products, and property damage caused by shopping carts or falling merchandise.

Coverage Tips for Code 18501

• Ensure your policy includes adequate coverage for "products-completed operations" to address claims arising from contaminated food or defective products sold.
• Implement robust slip-and-fall prevention measures, as these are frequent claims in high-traffic areas like produce sections and refrigerated aisles, and verify your policy covers such incidents.
• Regularly review your gross receipts reporting for accurate premium audits, as this is the basis for your GL premium, to avoid unexpected audit charges.
• Verify that your general liability policy includes coverage for property damage to others' property while on your premises, such as damage to vehicles in the parking lot or customer belongings inside the store.