Liquor Liability Insurance

Owning a business that serves alcohol, whether in an established location or a special event, always involves an element of risk. Liquor liability insurance protects you against loss or damages claimed as the result of a patron of your business becoming intoxicated and injuring themselves or others.

If your business manufactures, sells, serves, or facilitates the use or purchase of alcohol, a liquor liability policy is vital to protect you from potential financial losses. Liquor liability insurance could help cover the establishment’s legal costs, court fees, and any civil or criminal damages awarded.

There has always been a great deal of confusion about the need for liquor liability, even among insurance professionals. Liquor liability laws vary greatly by state, and insurance policy coverage options are often confusing. Here are the basics:

“Dram Shop” Laws hold alcoholic beverage servers financially liable for harm that visibly intoxicated individuals cause to other people, themselves, or property. These laws are established at the state level. They can apply not only to bars, liquor stores and restaurants, but also to social clubs and private events where liquor is served. Dram shop laws also include selling liquor without a license, selling liquor after hours, and selling liquor to minors.

Liquor Legal Liability provides coverage for bodily injury or property damage for which you may become legally liable for - as the result of contributing to a person's intoxication. This coverage is provided by a separate policy and will only cover establishments in the business of manufacturing, selling, distributing, or serving alcoholic beverages for a charge. This exposure is not covered under a general liability policy.

Host Liquor Liability Insurance Policies cover special events for businesses that elect to serve alcohol to their employees, prospects, and customers. This type of liability insurance is also needed by people and businesses serving or providing alcoholic beverages to customers, guests, or employees.

A good deal of alcohol-related liability claims filed against bars, taverns, and restaurants are a result of liquor-induced fights or altercations. In fact, just escorting an unruly patron to the exit is frequently enough to trigger an assault and battery allegation. Along with coverage for these events, litigation costs, including the fees to retain an attorney and court costs may also be covered under a liquor liability policy.

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all insurance policy.

While most insurance products are similar in price and function, insurance providers are very different when it comes to structuring a policy that actually covers you.

We’re your neighbors. We protect businesses and people we know and care about, and that means we look for ways to protect you better, including carefully choosing the insurance companies we represent.

We desire to be a client-focused agency that is recognized as a trusted insurance advisor in our communities. We value long lasting relationships with our clients, built on a commitment to excellence, continual improvement and a high standard of customer service.

Contact us today and we’ll get to work finding the right fit for you. What matters to you, matters to us.