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Why Liquor Liability Can Make or Break Your Restaurant

Owning a restaurant is no small feat. From managing daily operations to delighting customers with amazing food, you’ve got a full plate. But, if your establishment serves alcohol, there’s one more crucial piece to the puzzle: liquor liability insurance. This coverage can be a true lifesaver, protecting your restaurant from potential legal and financial fallout if a customer who drank at your place causes an accident or gets into legal trouble. Let’s talk about why liquor liability insurance is crucial and what it can do for your business.

Why Do Restaurants Need Liquor Liability Insurance?

When it comes to serving alcohol, a lot is at stake. Despite your team’s best efforts to serve responsibly, things can go sideways. Liquor liability insurance steps in to cover damages if a patron overindulges and, as a result, causes harm to others or property. In many cases, restaurants can be held liable for what happens after a customer leaves the premises under what’s called “dram shop laws.” These laws allow injured parties to sue businesses that provided alcohol to someone who caused harm, which can lead to costly lawsuits.

Imagine this: A guest enjoys a few too many cocktails at your restaurant, decides to drive home, and gets into an accident. The victim could hold your restaurant partially responsible, even if you had no way of knowing your customer’s full intentions. Liquor liability insurance provides coverage to handle legal fees, settlements, and potential damages, protecting your restaurant’s bottom line and reputation.

What Does Liquor Liability Insurance Cover?

Liquor liability insurance goes beyond just covering damages; it’s designed to provide comprehensive protection in situations involving intoxicated patrons. Here’s what it generally covers:

  1. Third-Party Bodily Injury – This coverage protects you if a patron who consumed
    alcohol at your restaurant injures someone. This can include coverage for medical
    expenses, legal fees, and settlements.
  2. Property Damage – If an intoxicated patron damages someone else’s property, like a
    vehicle or another business, your policy could cover repair or replacement costs.
  3. Legal Fees – Lawsuits are expensive. Liquor liability insurance can take care of legal
    defense costs if your restaurant is taken to court.
  4. Assault and Battery – Some liquor liability policies cover incidents of assault and battery
    if they’re linked to alcohol service. This could include fights that break out on or near
    your premises.

Ready to Protect Your Business?

Liquor liability insurance isn’t just another policy; it’s a necessary layer of protection for any restaurant serving alcohol. With the right coverage in place, you can rest a little easier knowing you’re prepared for unexpected situations. At Avalue Insurance, we understand the unique risks restaurants face and are here to help you choose a policy that fits your needs.

Get in touch with Avalue Insurance today to learn more about liquor liability insurance and how we can help protect your restaurant! You can give us a call at 303-773-3332, email us at info@avalueinsurance.com, or request a consultation right here online!

Simplifying Restaurant Insurance: CommonQuestions and Answers

If you’re in the restaurant business, you know that running a successful establishment involves more than just serving up delicious dishes. It’s also about ensuring that your business is adequately protected with the right insurance coverage. But if you’re like most restaurant owners, then you probably have plenty of questions. So, let’s answer some of the most common questions about restaurant insurance so you can feel more confident about your insurance decisions. 

1). What exactly is restaurant insurance?


Restaurant insurance is a specialized type of coverage designed to protect your establishment from various risks and liabilities. It typically includes several types of coverage tailored specifically to the unique needs of restaurants, such as general liability, property damage, liquor liability, workers’ compensation, and more.

2). Why do I need restaurant insurance?


Running a restaurant comes with inherent risks, from slip-and-fall accidents to food-borne illnesses and property damage. Without proper insurance coverage, you could be exposing your business to significant financial losses. Restaurant insurance provides peace of mind by safeguarding your investment and helping you recover from unexpected setbacks.

3). What does restaurant insurance cover?


Restaurant insurance policies can vary depending on your specific needs and the insurance provider you choose. However, most policies typically include coverage for property damage, liability claims, equipment breakdown, food spoilage, employee injuries, and legal expenses arising from lawsuits.

4). How much does restaurant insurance cost?


The cost of restaurant insurance can vary depending on factors such as the size of your establishment, the type of coverage you need, your location, and your claims history. Generally, premiums are calculated based on your level of risk exposure and the likelihood of potential claims.

5). How can I get restaurant insurance?

To ensure that you have the right coverage for your restaurant, it’s important to work with an experienced insurance agent who understands the unique challenges of the foodservice industry. That’s where we come in. At Avalue Insurance, we specialize in restaurant insurance and can help you get the right coverage for your restaurant.


Ready to protect your restaurant? Don’t wait until disaster strikes to think about insurance. Protect your restaurant and your hard-earned investment with comprehensive restaurant insurance from Avalue Insurance. Contact us today to learn more and to request a free consultation!

15 Types of Restaurant Insurance that Every Eatery Needs

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Here are 15 crucial kinds of restaurant insurance:

  1. Restaurant Liability Insurance
  2. Liquor Liability Insurance
  3. Property Insurance
  4. Business Interruption Insurance
  5. Foodborne Illness Coverage
  6. Workers’ Compensation Insurance
  7. Valet Parking/Garagekeeper Liability
  8. Company Auto Insurance
  9. Employee Benefit Plans
  10. Employment Practices Liability
  11. Crime/Fidelity Policies
  12. Electronic Instrument Policies
  13. Bonds
  14. Cyber Insurance
  15. Hired and Non-Owned Auto Coverage

Restaurant Insurance: It Matters More than You Think

Running a restaurant is no piece of cake. From managing staff to ensuring quality ingredients, there’s a lot on a restaurant owner’s plate. But one thing that should never be overlooked is restaurant insurance

A customer slips on a wet floor, a kitchen fire breaks out, a disgruntled employee files a lawsuit — without proper coverage, these scenarios could burn a massive hole in your pocket. From liability coverage for slip-ups to property insurance for kitchen calamities, restaurant insurance is your safety net in the unpredictable world of food service. So, let’s talk about some must-have policies for restaurants. 

The Top 15 Types of Restaurant Insurance 

1). Restaurant Liability Insurance: Covering the Unexpected

Accidents happen, and when they do, restaurant liability insurance has your back. Whether a customer slips on a wet floor or gets sick from food poisoning, this coverage protects your business from costly lawsuits and medical expenses.

2). Liquor Liability Insurance: Serving Responsibly

If your restaurant serves alcohol, liquor liability insurance is a must. It shields you from liability in case a patron causes harm to themselves or others after consuming alcohol on your premises.

3). Property Insurance: Safeguarding Your Assets

Your restaurant’s physical assets, like the building, equipment, and inventory, are valuable investments. Property insurance ensures you’re covered if they’re damaged or destroyed by fire, theft, or other covered perils.

4). Business Interruption Insurance: Keeping Your Business Afloat

When unexpected events, like natural disasters or equipment breakdowns, force your restaurant to temporarily close its doors, business interruption insurance steps in to cover lost income and ongoing expenses.

5). Foodborne Illness Coverage: Maintaining Your Reputation

Food safety is paramount in the restaurant industry. Foodborne illness coverage protects your business if a customer falls ill due to contaminated food, helping you manage the fallout and preserve your reputation.

6). Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Supporting Your Crew

Your employees are the backbone of your restaurant. Workers’ compensation insurance provides financial protection for your staff in case they’re injured or become ill on the job, covering medical expenses and lost wages.

7). Valet Parking/Garagekeeper Liability: Parking with Peace of Mind

If your restaurant offers valet parking services, valet parking/garagekeeper liability insurance shields you from liability if a customer’s vehicle is damaged or stolen while in your care.

8). Company Auto Insurance: Driving Safely

If your restaurant owns vehicles for deliveries or catering services, company auto insurance provides coverage in case of accidents or damage to your vehicles.

9). Employee Benefit Plans: Caring for Your Team

Offering employee benefit plans, like health insurance and retirement benefits, demonstrates your commitment to your team’s well-being and helps attract and retain top talent.

10). Employment Practices Liability: Navigating HR Challenges

Employment practices liability insurance protects your restaurant from claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, or other employment-related issues.

11). Crime/Fidelity Policies: Guarding Against Theft

Unfortunately, theft can occur in any business. Crime/fidelity policies provide coverage for losses resulting from employee dishonesty, theft, or fraud.

12). Electronic Instrument Policies: Protecting Your Tech

If your restaurant relies on electronic equipment like POS systems or kitchen appliances, electronic instrument policies cover repair or replacement costs in case of damage or breakdown.

13). Bonds: Building Trust

Surety bonds, like performance bonds or license and permit bonds, provide assurance to customers and regulatory agencies that your restaurant will fulfill its obligations and comply with industry standards.

14). Hired and Non-Owned Auto Coverage

Hired and non-owned auto coverage extends your auto liability coverage to vehicles that aren’t owned by your business, but are used for your business tasks. This type of coverage can be especially helpful if you deliver food in any capacity.

It includes two different types of coverage:

  • Hired coverage: Offers coverage for when you or your employees drive a rented, leased or borrowed vehicle for the business.
  • Non-owned auto coverage: Offers coverage for employees who use their own vehicles for business. It provides extra coverage over the employee’s personal auto coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability.

15). Cyber Insurance

Restaurants now heavily rely on digital platforms for order-placing and payments, embracing
QR code menus and providing Wi-Fi access to customers. Although necessary for survival, these
digital adoptions have left many restaurants more susceptible to cyber threats. Cyber insurance offers coverage in the event that your restaurant suffers a costly data breach or cyber attack.

Get a Quote on Restaurant Insurance Today

Don’t leave your restaurant unprotected. Contact Avalue Insurance to learn more about restaurant insurance and ensure your business is properly protected. From liability coverage to employee benefits, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us today to start comparing quotes!

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