If you have a dream of owning a restaurant, bar or nightclub, restaurant insurance is probably one of the last things you want to think about. It isn’t as exciting as creating a menu or choosing the right linens, but having the right restaurant insurance has saved many establishment owners money, headaches, and - at times - even their business.
The right insurance can protect you from all types of disasters, from a small equipment breakdown to a devastating liability lawsuit. Depending on where you’re opening your restaurant, there may be certain types of insurance that are required: many banks demand certain insurance in order to procure a loan or mortgage.
So, like it or not, it’s in your best interest to learn what you can about insurance for your restaurant, bar or club.
Types of insurance you may need as a restaurant, bar or club owner
Property Insurance
Property insurance protects your property if it sustains damage. It typically covers damage caused by fire, smoke, wind, hail, the weight of ice and snow, lightning, theft and more. It may not include natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes. If you have a mortgage on your business, property insurance is a must.
Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL)
Commercial General Liability Insurance protects you against liability claims for property damage and bodily injury. For example, if a customer is injured by a fall in your restaurant and sues you, CGL helps pay legal costs and any damages you are required to pay the plaintiff. In today’s litigious society, CGL is a must for almost any business owner.
Liquor Liability Insurance
If you have a liquor license, most states require that you have this insurance, and again your bank may also insist on it. Liquor Liability Insurance helps protect you if a customer drinks too much while at your establishment and hurts himself or someone else, or causes property damage.
Your CGL may cover you in some cases, but not all. “Dram Shop” laws exist in forty-three states, including Pennsylvania. Under this law, any business that gives alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person is responsible for any damage that person causes. This makes it much easier for people to sue the restaurant or bar where they have been served.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Workers’ Compensation Insurance is mandatory in most states, including Pennsylvania (with a few exceptions). Typically, workers’ compensation insurance pays lost wages and medical expenses incurred as a result of a work-related injury. Plus it protects the employer against accident-related lawsuits.
Life Insurance
Life insurance coverage is another form of protection that may be required by your bank if you have a mortgage or loan with them. It is also a good idea to have life insurance if your death would cause a financial hardship for your family. There are two types of life insurance: term and permanent. A good insurance agent can help you determine the best one for your situation.
Business Interruption Insurance
If you sustain damage to your restaurant that requires you to suspend operations for a period of time, Business Interruption Insurance covers your loss of income (the profits you would have made had your restaurant been open) while the damage is repaired.
Food Contamination Insurance
No matter how careful you are, there is always a possibility that your food could become contaminated, cause food poisoning, or transmit a communicable disease. Typically, Food Contamination Insurance helps pay for lost income if the business is shut down by a government authority, clean-up expenses, food replacement, and additional advertising expenses required to restore your restaurant’s reputation.
Get to Know Your Restaurant Insurance Options - Contact Us Today!
You may need some or all of these types of insurance, so it’s smart to understand your options. Our qualified independent insurance agents understand the local and state laws pertaining to the types and amounts of insurance you’re required to carry. They can help you determine if additional insurance is right for you.
Ask the independent agents at American Insuring Group about obtaining reliable protection at a great price. We've been helping businesses like yours for decades. So call (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or contact us online to get affordable insurance for your restaurant, club, bar, coffee shop, food truck, or catering service.
