Distillery Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a distillery 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 distilleries. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against aging inventory and visitor operations.
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 Property (incl. | Aging Inventory / Stock) Covers stills, buildings, and barrels — confirm the inventory valuation basis. | Core | |
| Business Income | Covers lost income after a still-house or rickhouse fire. | Core | |
| Pollution Liability | Covers spirits spilled into waterways after a fire — excluded from GL. | Prevalent | |
| Liquor Liability | Covers tasting-room and event service. | Core | |
| Commercial General Liability (incl. Products) | Covers visitors and products sold. | Core | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states; burns, cuts, and slips drive claims. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gaps for this class are inventory valuation and runoff pollution. A 2019 Jim Beam warehouse fire destroyed about 45,000 barrels and sent burning bourbon into a river, and property policies need a clear basis for valuing aging stock — especially as barrel prices fall. Distilleries should confirm how barrels are valued, carry pollution coverage for spills, and keep rickhouses separated and contained.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your distillery coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Distillery Insurance · Distillery Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a distillery business need?
The core coverages for a distillery business are Commercial Property (incl., Business Income, Liquor Liability, Commercial General Liability (incl. Products), 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 distillery 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.