Coffee Shop & Café Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a coffee shop & café 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 coffee shops and cafes. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against drive-thru and delivery volume.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial General Liability (incl. Products) | Covers hot-beverage burns and food claims — the core coverage. | Core | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds limits for a severe burn verdict. | Prevalent | |
| Commercial Property & Business Income | Covers the shop, equipment, and lost income after a fire or closure. | Core | |
| Equipment Breakdown & Spoilage | Covers refrigeration failures and spoiled stock. | Prevalent | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed exposure for this class is burn severity. In March 2025, a jury awarded $50 million to a delivery driver burned when a barista didn't secure a hot tea in a carrier at a drive-thru. Hot drinks handed to drivers and customers are a constant source of claims. Shops should write and train a handoff procedure, use carriers for multi-drink orders, test lid fit, and consider umbrella limits.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your coffee shop & café coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Coffee Shop & Café Insurance · Coffee Shop & Café Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a coffee shop & café business need?
The core coverages for a coffee shop & café business are Commercial General Liability (incl. Products), 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 coffee shop & café 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.