RESTAURANT

Restaurant Insurance

Protecting food service operations, staff, and guests

Restaurants operate in fast-paced environments with constant public interaction, employee turnover, and operational pressure. From customer injuries and food-related claims to property damage and employment disputes, restaurant risk is continuous and multifaceted.

A properly structured insurance program helps protect revenue, reputation, and day-to-day operations.

Key Risks in Restaurant Operations

Restaurants face exposure related to:

• Slip-and-fall and premises liability claims

• Foodborne illness and contamination allegations

• Kitchen fires and property damage

• Employee injuries and high turnover

• Liquor-related liability (when applicable)

• Business interruption from covered losses

Even minor incidents can escalate quickly in a public setting.

Core Coverages for Restaurants

Restaurant insurance programs typically include:

General Liability
Protects against bodily injury and property damage claims involving customers and visitors.

Commercial Property
Covers buildings (if owned), kitchen equipment, furniture, and inventory against covered losses.

Workers’ Compensation
Provides statutory benefits for employees injured on the job and protects employers from workplace injury claims.

Liquor Liability (when applicable)
Covers claims arising from the sale or service of alcohol.

Business Income Coverage
Helps replace lost revenue if operations are interrupted due to a covered property loss.

What’s Commonly Overlooked

Restaurant insurance programs are often weakened by:

• Underinsured kitchen equipment

• Missing or inadequate liquor liability limits

• Inadequate business income coverage

• Failure to account for delivery or off-premises exposure

• Gaps between landlord and tenant responsibilities

These gaps often surface after a claim disrupts operations.

Real-World Claim Examples

• A customer slips on a wet floor

• A kitchen fire damages cooking equipment

• An employee is injured while working in the kitchen

• An alcohol-related incident results in a lawsuit

Without proper coverage, these losses can threaten business survival.

Why Proper Placement Matters

Restaurant coverage varies significantly based on:

• Type of food service operation

• Alcohol service and licensing

• Location and foot traffic

• Lease agreements and landlord requirements

Improper placement can leave restaurants exposed to high-severity claims.

Our Approach

At Cory Washington & Co., we structure restaurant insurance programs around real-world operations — from kitchen layouts to staffing models and alcohol exposure. Our focus is protection that supports continuity, not just minimum compliance.

Successful restaurants depend on uninterrupted operations.