If you own a business you need to have a comprehensive insurance portfolio to cover a plethora of different claims that can arise during the course of owning a business. While you never want to experience a loss, some losses simply cannot be avoided no matter how proactive you are. The entire purpose of buying insurance to recover financially from an unintentional loss so you do not have to pay out-of-pocket. If you are not sure what type of commercial insurance you need to carry in Florida, make sure you review the various types of business insurance that are available. Surprisingly, there may be a number of different policies that you need that you are not currently carrying.
Owning a Restaurant
If you operate a restaurant, it’s important to ensure that your business is properly protected by insurance. Most restaurants obtain commercial property and liability coverages by purchasing a business owners policy (BOP) or a standard package policy.
General Liability
A restaurant needs general liability insurance to cover bodily injury or property damage claims that result from accidents, like slips and falls. A general liability policy also covers product liability, which protects your restaurant from claims arising from food-borne illnesses, which is imperative.
Food that customers consume on the premises may not qualify as a ‘product’ under your policy unless an endorsement called Product/Completed Operations Hazard Redefined is attached. This endorsement ensures that claims arising out of the food you sell will be covered under products/completed operations coverage, whether it is eaten on or off your premises.
Buildings that have restaurants are also prone to fire hazards. And many restaurant owners lease the building in which they operate. If there happens to be an accidental fire that damages a building you rent, your landlord might sue you for property damage.
This is where a liability policy comes in. A liability policy automatically includes a coverage called Damage To Premises Rented To You. This coverage is usually subject to a sublimit, such as $100,000. Make sure your limit is adequate. Some insurers will provide $300,000 or more. Some will include this coverage without a sublimit.
If your restaurant provides valet parking and you accidentally damage a customer’s vehicle while parking, this will not be covered. This is due to the care, custody or control exclusion. Fortunately, you can insure your business against such damage by purchasing garage keepers liability coverage.
If your business provides health insurance, dental coverage or other benefits to workers, you should consider buying employee benefits liability insurance. This coverage will protect you against lawsuits arising from clerical errors or administrative mistakes you make while handling employee benefits.
Other Restaurant Liability Coverages
Below are some other liability coverages a restaurant may need.
Liquor Liability: General liability policies exclude claims for bodily injury or property damage for which you may be held liable if you caused or contributed to someone’s intoxication through the sale or service of liquor. If your restaurant sells or serves alcoholic beverages, you’ll need to purchase liquor liability insurance.
Employment Practices Liability: Employees may sue restaurants for discrimination, harassment, and other workplace torts. Such torts aren’t covered by general liability insurance. To protect your business, you’ll need to purchase employment practices liability coverage.
Umbrella: A commercial umbrella affords extra limits over those provided by your general liability and commercial auto policies. It also covers some claims that aren’t covered by those policies.
Who Needs Food Insurance?
- Cafes/Coffee Shops
- Fast Food Restaurants
- Ice Cream Shops
- Fine Dining Facilities
- Full Service Restaurants
- Caterers
- Cafeterias
- Pizza Shops
Why Is a Quality Commercial Insurance Policy So Important?
People who own and operate restaurants understand how important it is to protect something they have worked so hard to build. No matter how hard you try to make sure everything is perfect, problems happen. And Mid Florida Insurance is here when they do. With us, you know you have an insurance company that always has your back. In fact, because we know that all business owners have unique needs, we’ve put together coverage options specifically made for restaurant owners with our food insurance and restaurant insurance.
We know you have a lot to handle on a daily basis, but with the right coverage, we’re here to help take some of the stress away, by helping protect your small business with restaurant insurance that works as hard as you do to protect against the unexpected.
For current rates and ways to save money on commercial insurance, Tampa Bay area business owners should call Mid Florida Insurance Professionals at (813) 962-3082 for a quick quote and excellent rates on all commercial insurance plans.