Bar & Tavern Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a bar & tavern business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for bars, taverns, and pubs. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against entertainment and security.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquor Liability | Covers dram-shop claims from overserved or underage patrons — the core coverage. | Core | |
| Assault & Battery | Covers fights and security force — often excluded from GL and liquor forms. | Core | |
| Commercial General Liability | Covers patron injuries not tied to alcohol. | Core | |
| Commercial Property & Business Income | Covers the bar and lost income after a fire. | Core | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds limits for a fatal drunk-driving crash. | Prevalent | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states; burns, cuts, and slips drive claims. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is assault and battery coverage. Fights and security force are among the most frequent bar claims, and many liquor and GL policies exclude or sublimit them — while a Texas jury returned $60 million after a bar's guard struck a patron. Bars should confirm A&B coverage, screen and train security, and keep video of the door and bar.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your bar & tavern coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Bar & Tavern Insurance · Bar & Tavern Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a bar & tavern business need?
The core coverages for a bar & tavern business are Liquor Liability, Assault & Battery, Commercial General Liability, Commercial Property & Business Income, Workers' Compensation. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my bar & tavern coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.