Overview

Why You Need
Liquor Liability Insurance

In today's world, businesses can be held liable for practically anything. That's especially true in the hospitality industry, where businesses may be named in lawsuits for incidents that occurred off premises or were only remotely connected to the establishment.

Offer yourself the assurance and peace of mind that come from knowing your business is protected from unexpected claims.

Why else should liquor licensees be interested in purchasing commercial property, general liability, liquor liability and excess liability insurance? One verdict in Boston topped $40 million, while two awards in Worcester, MA each topped $20 million.

Coverage is Affordable

The cost of liquor liability insurance is relatively low. Today, many businesses can get liquor liability protection for less per day than the cost of a single alcoholic drink. Yet the cost of not having liquor liability coverage can be enormous. Premiums for general liability and excess coverage are also reasonable.

Coverage

Comprehensive Coverage

Hospitality Insurance Group offers comprehensive coverage — up to $1 million per person / $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate for liquor liability. Excess coverage can provide up to $3 million in additional coverage, increasing your total limit to $4 million.

The truth is, there's no excuse for not having the proper coverage.

*Discount availability and requirements vary by state.

Hospitality Insurance Group also offers:

Commercial property coverage for buildings, personal property, inventory and loss of income

Property enhancement endorsement

Comprehensive general liability coverage with limits of $1 million per occurrence; $2 million aggregate, with no deductibles

Liquor liability coverage of up to $1 million per person; $1 million per occurrence; $2 million aggregate with no deductibles

Excess coverage, providing an additional $3 million in limits over liquor and general liability coverage

Expanded property damage coverage

Assault and battery coverage for liquor and non-liquor-related incidents

A 10% discount for clients if 100% of managers and 75% of servers participate in an approved alcohol-training program.

A 50% discount for assault and battery coverage if 100% of managers and 75% of servers participate in an approved security training program.*

A 10% discount for establishments that close by 8 P.M.

A 20% discount for establishments that are members of their state restaurant association*

eligibility

How We Evaluate Your Risk

Our experienced underwriters look closely at every risk and evaluate them on a case-by-case basis. Quotes are issued subject to the underwriter’s review after all questions have been answered.

Many factors are considered during the underwriting process, some of which include:

Loss history

Liquor to food ratio

Building age and structure

Updates and maintenance

Scope of coverage

Financials

Kitchen requirements

Training programs

Ownership/management experience

*Factors vary based on the type of coverage being requested. Not all apply to all policies.

Preferred Rates & Discounts

Preferred liquor rates are also available to those who qualify. These rates feature substantially reduced premiums with the opportunity for additional savings for those who purchase package policies and/or general liability and liquor liability coverage. Discounts are also available for use of approved training programs and other qualifications.

THE COST OF GOING UNINSURED

What Happens If You
Don't Insure Your Business?

Many liquor license owners do not have liquor liability insurance, even though they risk losing their business — or more — by being uninsured. So why do they do it? Here are some of the most common excuses we hear:

All of the assets are in my wife's name.

It is still a common practice for a bar owner (bar owners are predominantly men) to put ownership of his assets in his wife's name. This used to be sufficient to protect your business. Today, you could be charged with fraudulent conveyance and still lose all of your property.

We don't serve anyone who is drunk.

How can you tell whether someone is drunk? In court, it could be your word against someone else's whether your patron showed signs of intoxication. Many people don't show signs of intoxication until they reach levels of 0.15 percent — nearly twice the legal standard.

I can't afford it.

Liquor liability coverage costs less than ever, especially if the insured qualifies for our preferred liquor rates. In some cases, you can buy coverage for as little as a few hundred dollars a year.

I don't need it.

Your business is your livelihood. What would you do without it? You insure your home, so why wouldn't you insure your business?

We're a neighborhood bar.

Just because most of your patrons live near your bar, it doesn't mean you're immune from liability. Anyone can sue anyone today.

My bartenders know when to stop serving.

If bartenders knew when to stop serving, bar owners would never be sued. How often do your bartenders turn away patrons who have had too much to drink?

My customers would never sue me.

Your customers would have to like you an awful lot to pass up the opportunity to make hundreds of thousands of dollars — or even millions — from a lawsuit. Want to find out how much your customers really like you? Wait until someone gets hurt.

My business isn't worth insuring.

The business you operate may be worth more than you think. A liquor license alone could be worth six figures. There's nothing to prevent someone from going after your personal assets as well.

My customers can hold their liquor.

Patrons who can "hold their liquor" are typically heavy drinkers — and are most likely to be involved in a major accident.

I'm protected by the corporate veil.

The "corporate veil" is being pierced with increased frequency. If someone who is intoxicated or who is a minor injures someone or is injured after being in your bar, you could lose everything you own.

I've always been lucky.

If you're lucky enough to survive without insurance, you don't need to operate a bar. Play the lottery. There are easier ways to make a living.

get started

Getting Covered Is Simple

Hospitality Insurance Group works with a network of more than 300 independent insurance agencies across the region, giving you access to agents who already understand hospitality and liquor liability coverage.

If you don't currently have an agent, Hospitality Insurance Group can help connect you with a local representative — or you can reach out to us directly to get started.

Get a Quote or Learn More

To learn more, obtain a quote, or request a call, email, or office visit from a local representative, please contact us today.

call

877-366-1140

(toll-free)

Policyholders

Do You Have the Right Coverage?

Why You Need
Liquor Liability Insurance

Coverage is Affordable

Comprehensive Coverage

Hospitality Insurance Group also offers:

How We Evaluate Your Risk

Preferred Rates & Discounts

What Happens If You
Don't Insure Your Business?

Getting Covered Is Simple

Policyholders

Do You Have the Right Coverage?

Why You Need Liquor Liability Insurance

Coverage is Affordable

Comprehensive Coverage

Hospitality Insurance Group also offers:

How We Evaluate Your Risk

Preferred Rates & Discounts

What Happens If You Don't Insure Your Business?

Getting Covered Is Simple

Why You Need
Liquor Liability Insurance

What Happens If You
Don't Insure Your Business?