At the Alexander Agency of St Charles, we know that theft can be a major setback for any business. That’s why having the right coverage in place is essential. With commercial property insurance, you can recover from financial losses caused by stolen property—helping you get back to business as quickly as possible.

The Growing Threat of Business Theft

Your business property—whether it’s office equipment, inventory, or tools—can be a prime target for thieves. According to Forbes Advisor, 90% of small business retailers across the U.S. have experienced theft. And it’s not just retailers at risk—NEXT reports that employee theft alone is responsible for 30% of business failures, costing businesses a staggering $50 billion annually.

The more assets your business owns, the higher the risk of being targeted. That’s why it’s critical to ensure you have the right insurance coverage to protect against theft and financial loss.

What Types of Theft Does Business Insurance Cover?

Theft comes in many forms, including:

• Break-ins: Criminals may steal computers, tools, or inventory from your business.
• Employee theft: Company property like laptops or cash can be taken by staff.
• Shoplifting: Products can disappear right off your store’s shelves.
• Cybercrime: Payroll scams, fraudulent wire transfers, and data breaches can drain your finances.

Without insurance, these crimes could leave your business struggling to recover. That’s why reviewing your policy to understand what’s covered is crucial.

Sarah owns a small boutique specializing in handmade jewelry. One morning, she arrived at her shop to find the front door pried open—thieves had broken in overnight, stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of inventory and damaging the cash register. Devastated, Sarah initially panicked, wondering how she would recover from the loss.

Thankfully, she had a comprehensive commercial property insurance policy in place. After filing a police report and submitting a claim, her insurance covered the stolen inventory and repair costs for the damaged entrance. Without this coverage, Sarah would have faced a significant financial setback that could have jeopardized her business.

This experience reinforced the importance of business insurance, not just for break-ins but also for other risks like employee theft, shoplifting, and cybercrime. Now, Sarah regularly reviews her policy to ensure her boutique is fully protected.

Does Business Insurance Cover Property Damage and Vandalism from Theft?

If a break-in causes property damage—like broken doors or smashed windows—your commercial property insurance may help pay for repairs or replacements.

Vandalism is another concern for business owners, often resulting in costly damage. Examples include:

• Graffiti on walls or storefronts
• Broken windows from forced entry
• Destroyed inventory from looting or malicious intent
• Tampering with equipment, such as damaging computers or security systems

Commercial property insurance can help cover these repair costs, allowing your business to resume normal operations. And if you need to close temporarily for repairs, business income insurance can help replace lost revenue.

James runs a small coffee shop in a bustling downtown area. One morning, he arrived to find graffiti covering the front windows, the door handle broken, and his outdoor seating area completely vandalized. Chairs were overturned, a few tables were missing, and the café’s sign had been defaced.

Frustrated but prepared, James immediately contacted his insurance provider. His commercial property insurance covered the costs of replacing the broken door, repainting the storefront, and repairing the damaged seating area. Since he had to close for a few days to make repairs, his business income insurance helped cover the lost revenue, ensuring his employees were still paid.

Without the right coverage, these unexpected expenses could have been a major financial burden. Now, James feels more secure knowing his business is protected against future vandalism or property damage.

What Types of Insurance Protect Against Theft?

Several types of business insurance can help safeguard your company against different forms of theft:

• Commercial Property Insurance – Covers physical business assets like equipment, inventory, and furniture in case of theft. However, it typically doesn’t cover employee theft or stolen cash.
• Commercial Crime Insurance – Provides coverage for losses related to employee theft, forgery, embezzlement, and other financial crimes.
• Cyber Insurance – Protects your business from cyber threats, including hacking, wire fraud, ransomware, and data breaches.

A combination of these policies ensures you’re covered from all angles—whether it’s a stolen laptop, shoplifting, or cyber fraud.

Jessica owns a boutique marketing agency that relies on high-end computers and software to serve clients. One morning, she arrived at the office to find the door pried open and several laptops missing. The stolen equipment contained sensitive client data, making the situation even more concerning.

Thankfully, Jessica had commercial property insurance, which covered the cost of replacing the stolen laptops and office furniture that had been damaged during the break-in. However, because she also handled financial transactions for clients, she had Cyber Insurance in place, which helped her respond to potential data breaches by covering forensic investigations and security upgrades.

A year earlier, Jessica had also dealt with an unfortunate case of employee theft, where a trusted team member had embezzled company funds. Because she had commercial crime Insurance, she was able to recover some of the lost money and implement stronger financial controls.

By having a combination of these policies, Jessica ensured her business was protected from various threats—whether it was a break-in, financial fraud, or cybercrime—allowing her to focus on growth instead of setbacks.

6 Steps to Take Immediately After a Theft or Robbery

If your business experiences a break-in or robbery, follow these steps to protect your assets and file a claim effectively:

1. Call the police right away. They’ll document the crime, gather evidence, and file a report—which your insurance provider may need.
2. Take notes on what happened. Try to recall details about the incident, including descriptions of any suspects and the timeline of events.
3. Ask witnesses to stay. If customers or employees saw what happened, they might have crucial details for the police.
4. Leave the scene undisturbed. Don’t clean up or move anything until law enforcement has completed their investigation.
5. Be mindful of what you share. Avoid discussing the crime publicly, posting about it online, or disclosing financial losses, as this could attract more criminals.
6. File an insurance claim as soon as possible. Once the police report is filed, contact your insurer to begin the claims process.

Stay Protected with the Right Coverage

At Alexander Insurance Agency of St. Charles, we understand that theft, vandalism, and cybercrime can put your business at serious financial risk. That’s why having the right insurance coverage is essential. Whether it’s Commercial Property Insurance to cover stolen inventory and property damage, Commercial Crime Insurance to safeguard against employee theft, or Cyber Insurance to protect your digital assets, we can help you build a customized plan to keep your business secure.

Don’t wait until disaster strikes—protect your livelihood today. Contact Alexander Insurance Agency of St. Charles to review your policy and ensure you’re covered from every angle. Let’s safeguard your business together!