If you are finally fulfilling your wish of opening your first restaurant or bar, you know you’ll need insurance to offset the unique risks of the food and alcohol service industry. Simply investing in your property brings the potential for financial loss, as does opening your doors to patrons and employees on a daily basis. Why put your dream in jeopardy when the right commercial insurance coverage could safeguard your business income and assets against loss?
At Giuffre Insurance, we understand the risks of the food industry are different than those of other small businesses. Furthermore, your pub likely has different coverage needs than the pizza parlor next door. That is why we offer customized restaurant and tavern insurance with quotes from multiple Wisconsin insurers all competing with insurance solutions for your business.
Coverage is available for most small to mid-size restaurant and tavern businesses, including:
- Pubs
- Sports bars
- Taverns
- Diners
- Cafes
- Pizza parlors
- Sub shops
- Coffee shops
- Bakeries
- Fast-casual restaurants
- Full-service restaurants
Restaurant and Tavern Risks and Coverage
When it comes to purchasing or starting a new business, there are the obvious, general risks like fire, theft, and workplace injuries; but have you considered the other financial snares that could be lurking as a result of running a restaurant? For example, could you afford the legal damages, penalties, and victim settlements if your restaurant accidentally serves contaminated food to patrons? What about the cost to replace your catering and delivery vehicle if it is damaged in an accident?
There are seemingly endless scenarios that could lead to major financial challenges for your business, and potentially even insolvency. By working with an independent agent here at Giuffre Insurance, you can address potential vulnerabilities with coverage that works well for your needs and budget. We want you to open your doors confidently each day knowing you are well-protected against the potential risks you’ll face as the owner of your restaurant or tavern.
Your restaurant or tavern insurance coverage may include protection for:
General Liability
Your general liability insurance, or GL, is designed to protect your business against a broad range of potential liabilities, including those related to accidental injuries on your premises, third-party property damages, advertising injury, and more. It can help you cover the medical bills of injured individuals, pay for legal defense if you are sued, and even cover penalties and judgments if you are found negligent or in some way responsible for a third-party’s damages.
Workers Compensation
All Wisconsin employers should purchase workers compensation insurance. This coverage is required for the protection of your business, as well as your employees. It generally pays benefits regardless of fault when a worker is injured on the job. This typically includes the cost of medical expenses, rehabilitation, and even lost wages while the employee recovers from the injury.
Property Insurance
If a fire destroys your kitchen or vandals break the windows in your business and carve obscenities in all of your wood-topped tables, it could cost tens of thousands of dollars to pay for the damages. Property insurance is designed to protect the structure of your restaurant, your signage, the contents of your restaurant, and more against certain types of perils like lightning, fire, wind, theft, and more.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance
Many restaurants have vehicles they use for catering or delivery purposes. Commercial auto insurance helps protect your investment in your vehicle(s), as well as protect your restaurant against accident-related liability up to the limits of your coverage.
Food Spoilage Coverage
No restaurant can open its doors without an inventory of food ready to be prepared. Since fresh ingredients are highly perishable, a power outage or equipment breakdown could quickly lead to a major financial loss.
Food Contamination Liability
One of the worst nightmares of a restaurant owner is the possibility of serving contaminated food to customers. Whether you accidentally serve recalled romaine lettuce in your salads or a kitchen worker undercooks a patron’s salmonella-contaminated poultry, be sure your business is protected against potential liability and the possibility of a lawsuit.
Liquor Liability
All bars and many restaurants need liquor liability insurance to help cover the responsibilities associated with serving alcohol and hosting potentially intoxicated guests. If an assault or some type of third-party property damage occurs after your business serves alcohol to an at-fault party, your business could share some liability.
Equipment Breakdown Coverage
You rely on a working oven, commercial range, dishwasher, freezer, and refrigeration station to keep your restaurant or bar running smoothly. If one of these units breaks down due to user error, a power surge, or some other covered event, it could put a halt to your cash flow and cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace. With equipment breakdown coverage, you can relax knowing you are covered against financial losses when your kitchen equipment stops working unexpectedly.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
Umbrella insurance is back up insurance for your primary insurance. It essentially supplements your commercial liability coverage with millions of dollars in extended protection limits. This is important when a major lawsuit results in judgments, settlements, penalties, and legal fees that total more than the maximum available coverage in your general liability or other qualifying liability insurance coverage.
Restaurant and Tavern Insurance Quotes in Wisconsin
Whether you are just starting your restaurant or have owned the same bar for decades, we here at Giuffre Insurance can help you assess your coverage needs and explore options for affordable protection. To find out more about restaurant insurance and how an independent agent can help you save, contact our office today.