Restaurant Insurance: Protect Your Culinary Business

Restaurant insurance shields your business from common risks in the food and hospitality industry — including customer injuries, food-related illnesses, property damage, theft, employee injuries, equipment breakdown, and lost income from disruptions. With the right insurance package, you protect your assets, staff, customers, and future revenue.

Why Restaurants Need Specialized Insurance

Running a restaurant involves unique risks due to:

• Constant foot traffic and high customer volume

• Food handling and preparation risks (illness, contamination, allergies)

• High-risk kitchen environment (fire, hot surfaces, sharp tools)

• Dependence on expensive equipment

• Employee injury risks

• Vulnerability to business shutdowns

• Legal exposure and liability risks

Because of these factors, restaurants require insurance designed specifically for their operational hazards.

Essential Insurance Coverages for Restaurants

General Liability Insurance

Covers:

• Customer injuries (slip-and-fall, burns, accidents)

• Damage to someone else’s property

• Food-related claims, including illness or allergic reactions

• Legal defense and settlements

Commercial Property Insurance

Protects the building, equipment, furniture, supplies, inventory, and other physical assets against fire, theft, vandalism, and other types of property damage.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Covers employee injuries or illnesses that happen on the job — including medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages.

Business Interruption Insurance

Replaces lost income if your restaurant is forced to close temporarily due to a covered event such as fire, equipment damage, or contamination.

Food or Product Liability Insurance

Protects against claims arising from foodborne illness, spoilage, contamination, or allergic reactions.

Equipment Breakdown Insurance

Covers repair or replacement of essential kitchen equipment that stops working unexpectedly — ovens, refrigerators, coolers, fryers, HVAC, and more.

Additional Recommended Coverages

• Liquor liability (restaurants serving alcohol)

• Commercial auto (delivery or catering operations)

• Cyber liability (online orders, digital payments, customer data)

• Umbrella/excess liability (high-traffic and alcohol-serving restaurants)

Who Needs Restaurant Insurance

You should consider full restaurant insurance coverage if you:

• Own a dine-in, fast-casual, fast-food, café, bar, or bistro

• Prepare and serve food on-site

• Employ staff

• Rely on specialized kitchen equipment

• Operate delivery or catering services

• Serve alcohol

• Depend on continuous business operations for revenue

Common Risks Without Proper Insurance

• Customer injuries and lawsuits

• Food poisoning or contamination claims

• Fire or equipment-related property damage

• Employee injuries and compensation claims

• Business closure and lost income

• Equipment breakdown and food spoilage

• Alcohol-related liability incidents

• Digital theft, cyberattacks, or data breaches

FAQ — Restaurant Insurance

Q: Is general liability enough for a restaurant?
A: No. Restaurants require additional protection including property, workers’ comp, food liability, and business interruption coverage.

Q: Does insurance cover food poisoning?
A: Yes — with food or product liability coverage included.

Q: Do small restaurants need business interruption insurance?
A: Absolutely. Even a short shutdown can cause severe revenue loss.

Q: What if my equipment breaks down?
A: Equipment breakdown insurance can cover repairs or replacement.

Q: Do I need liquor liability if alcohol is only a small part of sales?
A: Yes. Any alcohol service increases liability risk.

Choosing the Right Restaurant Insurance

1. Identify your operational risks.

2. Start with core coverages: Liability, Property, Workers’ Comp.

3. Add restaurant-specific protections: Food liability, Business Interruption, Equipment Breakdown.

4. Include liquor liability if alcohol is served.

5. Adjust coverage limits to match your traffic and revenue.

6. Review your insurance annually as your restaurant grows.

Secure Your Restaurant’s Success

Protect your kitchen, staff, customers, income, and equipment with a policy tailored to your unique risks.
Fill out the form below to receive a customized restaurant insurance quote.
Start today — fast, secure, and personalized coverage for your culinary business.