While shoplifting is normally not covered by a commercial insurance policy, theft is. Shoplifting often occurs during business hours without anyone even realizing it is taking place. Consequently, it’s hard to file a claim on that type of loss. Shoplifting is generally defined as a person taking something from a store without paying, typically for their personal use. Theft, on the other hand, may occur overnight or at a warehouse and is defined as the unauthorized taking of property, which may include large quantities of items (such as a whole pallet of goods).