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Whether you're a restaurant, bar, or entertainment venue, there are risks when selling or serving alcohol. Purchasing liquor liability insurance protects your business from lawsuits related to alcohol sales and service.
With lawsuit verdicts reaching millions of dollars, having insurance can mean the difference between staying in business or shutting down. Here are the best liquor liability insurance companies to consider for your business.
Best Liquor Liability Insurance
- Best Overall: Westchester
- Best for Bars: Admiral Insurance Group
- Best for Caterers: Food Liability Insurance Program
- Best for Liquor Stores: PAK Insurance Programs
- Best for Restaurants: Founders Insurance Company
Best Overall : Westchester
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Westchester
Why We Chose It: Westchester offers monoline liquor liability policies for businesses that serve and sell alcohol. Policy coverage limits are available up to $2 million for a variety of both licensed and unlicensed operations.
No cap on alcohol sales
Liquor license holder automatically included as an additional insured
Coverage available for both licensed and unlicensed locations
Coverage not available in all 50 states
Certain business types are restricted
Some businesses have lower sub-limits than others
Westchester is a division of Chubb, the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer, with operations in 54 countries. Additionally, it is one of the largest commercial insurers in the United States. The company is rated A++ (Superior) by AM Best. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index shows a lower than the average number of complaints by policyholders over the last three years.
Westchester's liquor liability policies are standalone (a.k.a. monoline) and cover businesses that serve and sell alcohol. Coverage of up to $2 million is available, and there is no cap on alcohol sales. Applications can be submitted online.
This coverage offers protection against claims of negligent sale or service. Plus, assault and battery coverage is either included or available for an additional premium, depending on your policy type. If there is a claim, the defense costs are outside the limit, and the liquor license holder is automatically included as an additional insured. Westchester policies are available in 42 states.
Best for Bars : Admiral Insurance Group
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Admiral Insurance Group
Why We Chose It: Admiral offers liquor liability insurance as a standalone policy or as part of general liability coverage. Its policies are sold through wholesale brokers for a variety of liquor-related businesses, with few exclusions.
Coverage available as standalone or a part of a general liability policy
Limited excluded classes of business
Liability limits up to $1 million
Not available in all 50 states
Policies must be purchased through a broker
Admiral will not speak to customers directly
Admiral Insurance Group is a division of the publicly traded W. R. Berkley Corporation. It has been in operation since 1974 and provides excess and surplus line coverage for businesses with moderate-to-high degrees of hazard. W. R. Berkley is rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best and, as of August 2021, had a lower-than-average number of complaints in the last three years, according to the NAIC Index.
Customers can purchase liquor liability coverage as a monoline policy or add-on to their general liability insurance. Policies are available up to $1 million in scope and sold through its wholesale broker network. You may not buy insurance directly through this carrier.
Admiral covers a wide variety of liquor-related businesses, excluding concert venues, gentleman's clubs, mosh pits, and under 21 nights. Policies are available in 47 states, except Alabama, Alaska, and Iowa, along with Washington, D.C.
Best for Caterers : Food Liability Insurance Program
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Food Liability Insurance Program
Why We Chose It: Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) specializes in caterers and other short-term liquor liability needs. Policies are available for as little as one day and can be purchased online for immediate coverage.
Specializes in food trucks, caterers, and similar businesses
Buy insurance online and download policy immediately
Coverage available for as little as one day
General liability insurance required
Products and completed operations are specifically excluded in short-term policies
Assault and battery only available with annual policies
FLIP is a specialty insurance program that is underwritten by the Great American Insurance Company (GAIC). GAIC is rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best, and it has lower-than-average claims for the last three years, according to the NAIC Claims Index.
Coverage is available up to $2 million in the aggregate and $300,000 for damage to rented premises. Liquor liability insurance can be conveniently purchased online, with one- to three-day coverage starting at just $99 for a standalone policy.
Notice that liquor liability policies from FLIP are available in only 40 states, excluding Vermont, Kentucky, Iowa, and others. FLIP has a few exclusions, including situations where the insured is sponsoring or promoting entertainment, scenarios where employees consume alcohol, or operations that run past 2 a.m.
Best for Liquor Stores : PAK Insurance Programs
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PAK Insurance Programs
Why We Chose It: Liquor PAK is a leading insurer of specialty wine and liquor stores that covers all types of retail liquor businesses. It offers all lines of coverage and is underwritten by Great American Insurance Company.
Covers all types of retail liquor businesses
Offers training for the responsible serving of alcohol
Dedicated claims team in place since 2000
Only sold through licensed insurance agents and brokers
Not available in all 50 states
Cannot receive a quote online
Liquor PAK began in 1996 as a specialty wine and liquor insurance program. It has since expanded into other specialty markets, such as breweries and distilleries. Policies are underwritten by Great American Insurance Companies (GAIC), which is rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best. As of August 2021, the NAIC Claims Index shows lower-than-average claims filed over the last three years.
Customers can apply for all lines of insurance coverage from Liquor PAK, including liquor liability insurance. Policies are available exclusively through licensed agents and brokers, so you cannot apply directly online or over the phone. Coverage is only available in 42 states.
Best for Restaurants : Founders Insurance Company
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Founders Insurance Company
Why We Chose It: Founders Insurance Company has been writing liquor liability coverage since the late 1950s. It offers liquor liability coverage to any business with a liquor license and for special events of up to five days in length.
Covers a wide array of liquor-related businesses
Offers special event policies of one to five days for up to 5,000 people
Experience dealing with liquor liability insurance since the late 1950s
Coverage only available in 18 states
Must purchase insurance through a licensed agent or broker
Quotes not available online
Founders Insurance Company began in 1901 and has grown to over $100 million in underwritings. Although it is a relatively small company, it has earned an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best. However, its complaint history has been higher than average for the last three years, according to the NAIC Claims Index.
Clients have been getting their liquor liability insurance policies from Founders since 1959. It serves several eligible liquor-related businesses, including restaurants, adult entertainment clubs, bars, banquet halls, and entertainment venues. Policy limits are available up to $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in aggregate (except in Alabama). There is no deductible, and defense costs are covered in addition to your policy limits.
Policies are not available directly from Founders. Instead, clients must work with a licensed agent or broker to receive a quote and purchase a policy.
Final Verdict
If your business sells or serves alcohol, purchasing liquor liability insurance is critical to protecting yourself against lawsuits. This insurance protects your business against claims by both patrons and employees and is specifically excluded in most general liability policies. Mitigate your risks by purchasing a standalone policy or adding coverage through your existing policy.
Compare the Best Liquor Liability Insurance Providers
Policy From | # of States | Online Quote | Underwritten By / Parent Company |
---|---|---|---|
Westchester Best Overall | 42 | Yes | Chubb (parent) |
Admiral Insurance Group Best Overall | 47 | No | W. R. Berkley Corporation (parent) |
Food Liability Insurance Program Best for Caterers | 40 | Yes | Great American Insurance Company (u/w) |
Founders Insurance Company Best for Restaurants | 18 | No | Founders Insurance Company (self) |
PAK Insurance Programs Best for Liquor Stores | 42 | No | Great American Insurance Company (u/w) |
FAQs
Does General Liability Insurance Cover Liquor-Related Incidents?
General liability insurance policies cover liquor-related claims when there is incidental exposure to alcohol. In other words, your policy will cover you if selling or serving alcohol is not part of your normal business operations and it is not a regular scenario. For example, if something happens during the company's annual holiday party, your policy should cover you.
However, if you sell or serve alcohol as part of your primary business—think restaurants, bars, and caterers—then liquor liability is excluded from your general liability policy. You'll need to buy a standalone liquor liability policy or add coverage to your general liability policy.
What Is a "Dram Shop Law," and Does It Apply to My Business?
"Dram shop laws" hold your business liable if you serve alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated and who injures another person. In those states, you may have to pay legal fees, medical bills, and settlements to resolve the claims. Even if your business is not at fault, the legal bills to defend yourself could be very costly.
Most states have dram shop laws, but there are six that do not: Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada, South Dakota, and Virginia. Even if your state does not require this insurance, your bank or landlord might. Liquor liability insurance is also known as dram shop insurance, so you'll be covered against these laws with your policy.
What Does Liquor Liability Insurance Cover?
If your business is sued for an alcohol-related event, liquor liability insurance protects you against accidental injury, property damage, assault and battery, and on-the-job drinking. This insurance covers both customers and employees.
Does Liquor Liability Insurance Cover Underage Drinking?
These policies generally do not cover underage patrons who are drinking. Because of this, underage drinkers are a massive risk to your business. It is crucial that you enforce the laws and prevent underage drinking to avoid exposure that is not covered by insurance.
How Are Premiums Determined for Liquor Liability Insurance?
The basic factors that determine your annual premiums are:
- Percent of sales
- Industry
- Location
- Claims history
- Coverage limits
- Deductibles
- Insurance carrier discounts
Can I Add Liquor Liability Coverage to My Existing General Liability Policy?
Businesses can purchase liquor liability insurance as a standalone policy or as an add-on to an existing business owner's policy or general liability policy. Compare your coverage options and premiums to determine which option is best for your business.
How We Chose the Best Liquor Liability Insurance
We researched liquor liability insurance policies from numerous insurance carriers to search for and compare coverage options for businesses involved in the sale and supply of liquor. Our review focused on the coverages available, their financial ratings, and which niches they serve. We then compared the available policies to determine the best liquor liability insurance carriers for each category.