Originally published in May 2023. Updated November 2025.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore affiliates manage extensive amounts of inventory, and with inventory comes the risk for inventory damage or injury to employees, volunteers or customers.

In managing your ReStore inventory, it is important to follow safe storage best practices and to protect your inventory with insurance.

Storing and Protecting ReStore Inventory

To avoid inventory loss or claims at your affiliate, we recommend the following best practices:

Avoid storing inventory outside
While there may be times when you get a big donation and have to temporarily keep excess inventory outside, try to avoid storing inventory outdoors for extended periods of time. If you must store inventory outside, ensure it can withstand a wind or rainstorm.

Implement a good system for indoor inventory storage

  • Do not store large, heavy items on a high shelf.
  • Store heavy items such as doors, windows and countertops in book-end fashion so that they do not fall on a browsing customer.
  • Keep the ReStore clean and clean up spills immediately.
  • Do not overcrowd your aisles and shelves.
  • Be mindful of flammables or other items that require special handling or should not be accepted.

To keep these practices top of mind, download and print our Safe Inventory Storage poster >

Manage ReStore donation drop off location
Have clearly marked signs where ReStore donations should be dropped off. Do not let customers shop in loading docks or other areas and do not let them purchase inventory until you have a chance to look at the items and put them out for sale.

Insuring ReStore Inventory

Affiliates should determine if they want to insure their inventory.

Some affiliates prefer to not insure their inventory and instead rely on Business Income Interruption coverage. Business Income Interruption coverage helps cover the loss of sales and other income that your business usually generates after a covered loss. If your business cannot operate because of a covered loss, the deductible for this coverage is a 48-hour waiting period.

However, there is an option to more fully insure inventory. To do so, affiliates must determine the actual cash value of the inventory and let their insurer know the limit they want to purchase. It is critical to review your property schedule often and understand the coverage you have prior to a claim occurring, as Affiliates will need to verify the inventory at the time of loss. It is recommended to keep a log or take pictures or videos to confirm inventory you have.

Manage Affiliate Inventory Risk with Help from Lockton Affinity

Properly managing and storing ReStore inventory is essential for minimizing risk and ensuring a safe environment for employees, volunteers and customers. Best practices include avoiding outdoor storage when possible, organizing heavy items safely, and maintaining a clean, clutter-free space.

Affiliates should also evaluate whether to insure their inventory and understand their property and business income coverage options.

Should you have questions about insuring your Restore inventory, contact Lockton Affinity, administrator of the Habitat for Humanity Affiliate Insurance Program.