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Bar / Tavern Insurance - Let us find your best coverage - coverage built for bars and taverns
Bars are underwritten mostly on liquor exposure – percent of alcohol sales, closing time, security and how fights and over-service are handled. Send us a few details and we will shop 50+ carriers for your best rate – no cost, no obligation. Prefer to talk? Call 800-616-3490.
Bar / Tavern Quote Request
Applicant Information:
Have these handy
- Alcohol vs. food sales split
- Capacity and closing time
- Security staffing details
- Liquor license number
- Five years of loss runs
Related coverage
Coverage details
What Bar / Tavern coverage includes
Bars, taverns and restaurants face risks most businesses never see: liquor liability under state dram shop laws, assault and battery claims, kitchen fires and spoilage. Many standard carriers avoid alcohol-heavy venues, so we work with specialty hospitality markets to build a package that fits your liquor sales, hours and entertainment.
- Liquor liability - Claims from injuries caused by an intoxicated patron.
- Assault and battery - Fights and altercations on or near your premises.
- General liability - Patron slips, falls and premises injuries.
- Property - Building, bar fixtures, coolers and liquor stock.
- Business income - Lost income after a fire or other covered loss.
- Spoilage - Food and beverage stock lost when coolers fail or power goes out.
- Employment practices - Harassment and wrongful termination claims from staff.
- Workers compensation - Kitchen burns, cuts and slip injuries to your employees.
Good to know: ID scanning, trained door staff and a closing time before 2 am noticeably improve the number of markets willing to quote. Your liquor sales as a percentage of total sales drives much of the price.
Not covered: assault and battery on many base policies unless added back, employee injuries, and serving minors in some states.
Insurance Application:
Bar / Tavern
Required forms
Liquor Liability Supplemental Application (PDF)
Restaurant Supplemental Application (PDF)
Hospitality supplements (add any that apply)
Diner / Family Restaurant (PDF)
Download, complete and email to info@societiesinsurance.com, or attach them with your quote request. More options are listed below.
Contact details
Prefer to talk?
- Toll-Free: 800-616-3490
- East Coast: 706-550-4418
- West Coast: 206-755-0101
- info@societiesinsurance.com
- Mon-Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm, Sat 9:00am - 12:00pm
Hospitality insurance explained
How bar and restaurant insurance works
Most hospitality venues need a package that combines property, general liability and liquor liability, plus workers comp and umbrella coverage.
Liquor liability
Claims when an intoxicated patron you served injures someone, as allowed under your state's dram shop law.
Assault and battery
Fights involving patrons, security staff or bystanders, often excluded unless added back.
General liability
Slips, falls, food illness and other premises injuries.
Property and equipment
Building, kitchen equipment, bar fixtures, furniture and stock.
Business income
Lost profits and payroll while you rebuild after a fire or other covered loss.
Umbrella
Extra limits above your general liability, liquor liability and auto, often required by landlords.
Check your liquor limits and defense. Some policies include legal defense costs inside the limit, which shrinks the money available to pay a claim. Ask us to compare defense outside the limits and confirm assault and battery is covered at full limits.
Pricing
What affects your bar or restaurant rate
Rating factors
- Annual liquor sales and the percentage of sales from alcohol
- Hours of operation and closing time
- Live music, DJs, dancing, pool tables or games
- Seating capacity and square footage
- Security staff, cameras and ID scanning
- Kitchen fire suppression system and hood cleaning schedule
- Prior claims and years of experience
Ways to lower your risk and premium
- Server training such as TIPS or ServSafe for all bartenders and servers
- Written policies for refusing service and handling disputes
- UL 300 fire suppression with semi-annual hood cleaning
- Incident logs and video retention
- Lighting and security for parking areas
- Clear contracts with any outside security company
Hosting events or adding entertainment? Tell us before you add live bands, karaoke, trivia leagues or private parties. Some policies limit or exclude entertainment, and an unreported change can lead to a denied claim.
Hospitality options
Find the right hospitality coverage
Start with the liquor liability and restaurant applications, then add any supplement that fits your venue.
Venues
Diner / Family Restaurant
Family restaurants and diners with limited alcohol.
Get a quote Supplemental application (PDF)Bowling Alley / Bar
Bowling alleys and entertainment centers with bars.
Get a quote Supplemental application (PDF)Food service on the move
Liability and employees
Employment Practices Liability
Claims from employees and applicants.
Get a quote Supplemental application (PDF)Excess / Umbrella (Commercial)
Higher limits above your primary policies.
Get a quote Supplemental application (PDF)This is a general overview. Coverage, availability and pricing vary by state, carrier and policy, and the policy itself controls. Questions? Call 800-616-3490.