Focus On the Flavor. We’ll Cover the Rest.
Protecting food service operations, employees, and customer safety
Restaurants face constant exposure to customer injuries, food-related claims, equipment breakdown, employee incidents, and liquor liability. From small cafés to large dining establishments, daily operations involve the public, cooking equipment, alcohol service, and employees working in fast-paced environments. Even a single accident, fire, or lawsuit can interrupt operations and create significant financial loss.
Properly structured insurance helps protect your property, staff, reputation, and the long-term success of your restaurant.
Key Risks in Restaurant Operations
Restaurant owners face exposure related to:
Customer slip-and-fall or injury claims
Foodborne illness allegations
Fire or kitchen equipment damage
Liquor liability incidents
Employee injuries
Property damage or theft
Business interruption after a loss
Losses can occur even in well-managed restaurants.
Core Coverages for Restaurants
Restaurant insurance programs typically include:
General Liability — Protects against bodily injury and property damage claims involving customers, vendors, or visitors.
Commercial Property — Covers the building, kitchen equipment, furniture, and inventory against covered physical loss.
Business Owners Policy (BOP)Combines liability and property coverage into one policy for qualifying restaurant operations.
Liquor Liability — Protects against claims involving injuries or damage caused by intoxicated patrons.
Workers’ Compensation — Provides coverage for employee injuries as required by law.
Equipment Breakdown — Covers mechanical or electrical failure of cooking, refrigeration, and kitchen equipment.
Business Income / Business Interruption — Protects lost income if the restaurant must close due to a covered loss.
Umbrella / Excess Liability — Provides additional limits for severe liability claims.
What’s Commonly Overlooked
Restaurant insurance programs are often weakened by:
Underinsured kitchen equipment
Missing liquor liability coverage
No business income protection
Inadequate liability limits
Failure to cover delivery exposure
Gaps between property and equipment coverage
These issues often appear only after a claim occurs.
Real-World Claim Examples
A customer slips on a wet floor
A kitchen fire damages the restaurant
A patron files a food poisoning claim
Alcohol service leads to a liability lawsuit
Equipment failure forces temporary closure
Even one incident can stop operations.
Why Proper Placement Matters
Restaurant coverage varies significantly based on:
Type of food service
Alcohol sales exposure
Hours of operation
Number of employees
Cooking equipment used
Lease or landlord requirements
Improper placement can result in uncovered losses or denied claims.
Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we structure restaurant insurance programs based on how your operation actually runs — including kitchen exposure, alcohol service, employee count, and property values. We coordinate liability, property, income, and liquor coverage to ensure your restaurant is protected from the risks that come with serving the public every day.
Successful restaurants require strong protection.
Not sure your coverage is complete? Run the Restaurant Coverage Self-Review Checklist — tick what you can confirm, and walk into your next policy review informed.
Download the fillable Restaurant, Bar & Tavern Supplemental to start your submission, or browse all applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get restaurant business insurance through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We start with a short conversation about your operations, analyze your exposures, then negotiate restaurant business insurance across multiple carriers that compete for your account and present options with the trade-offs explained. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
How are restaurant business insurance premiums priced?
There is no flat rate. The cost of restaurant business insurance reflects your industry, your size (payroll and revenue), your claims history, and the limits and deductibles you choose. We market your account to multiple carriers, compare the real quotes side by side, and explain what is driving each number so you can weigh coverage against price with confidence.
Is restaurant business insurance mandatory?
Whether restaurant business insurance is strictly required depends on your state, your contracts, and your lenders or clients. Even where it is not mandatory, going without it can leave serious financial gaps. We assess your exposure and any contractual requirements, then structure coverage that meets both.
What if another agency has already declined or non-renewed my coverage?
Difficult, specialty, and previously-declined placements are a core part of our work. We access excess & surplus (E&S) and specialty markets that many generalist agencies cannot, and we explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Available in all 50 states. See how requirements differ in California, Texas, Florida, New York, or choose your state.