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Liquor Liability Insurance - Let us find your best coverage - coverage for businesses that serve or sell alcohol
Liquor liability covers claims when a patron you served injures someone, and carriers price it on alcohol receipts, type of venue and closing time. 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.
Liquor Liability Quote Request
Applicant Information:
Have these handy
- Annual alcohol receipts
- Liquor license
- Server training certificates
- Closing time
- Five years of loss runs
Related coverage
Coverage details
What Liquor Liability coverage includes
Liquor liability protects businesses that make, sell or serve alcohol when an intoxicated customer injures someone or damages property. Under state dram shop laws, a bar, restaurant, store or event can be held responsible for over-serving. General liability policies exclude this for businesses in the alcohol trade, so a separate liquor policy or endorsement is needed, and many states and landlords require it for a liquor license or lease.
- Dram shop claims - Injuries caused by a patron you served or sold to.
- Defense costs - Attorney fees to defend a liquor lawsuit.
- Assault and battery option - Add-on for fights involving intoxicated guests.
- Additional insureds - Landlords and event hosts added as required.
- Employee serving errors - Over-service or serving minors by your staff.
Good to know: carriers rate on annual alcohol receipts, so have an honest split of liquor, beer and wine sales and proof of server training.
Not covered: intentional serving to minors in some states, assault and battery unless endorsed, and employee injuries.
Insurance Application:
Liquor Liability
Required forms
Liquor Liability Supplemental Application (PDF)
Hospitality supplements (add any that apply)
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
Liquor liability explained
How liquor liability works
Liquor liability responds when someone your business served causes injury or damage, such as a car accident after leaving your premises.
Dram shop claims
Injuries and damage caused by a patron you served.
Legal defense
Attorney fees to defend claims, ideally paid outside the limit.
Assault and battery
Optional coverage for fights involving patrons or staff.
Additional insureds
Landlords and event venues added as their contracts require.
Host liquor vs. liquor liability: businesses that occasionally serve alcohol at a company event usually need only host liquor coverage, often included in general liability. If you sell alcohol, charge for drinks or hold a liquor license, you need liquor liability.
Pricing
What affects your liquor liability rate
Rating factors
- Annual alcohol sales and the split of liquor, beer and wine
- Alcohol as a share of total sales
- Hours and closing time
- Entertainment, dancing and capacity
- State dram shop laws
- Prior claims
Ways to lower your risk
- Certify servers through TIPS, ServSafe Alcohol or a state program
- Check IDs every time and use ID scanners
- Written policies for cutting off service
- Offer food and non-alcoholic options
- Keep incident logs and video
Hosting a one-time event? See special event liability for coverage that includes host or liquor liability for a single event.
Alcohol-related coverage
Find the right coverage
Start with the liquor liability application, then choose the package that fits your business.
Businesses that serve alcohol
Events
Social Host Liquor Liability
Host liquor for private parties.
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.