Liquor Liability Insurance
We provide liquor liability insurance solutions to businesses in upstate New York and throughout Pennsylvania
What is liquor liability insurance?
All businesses that sell alcohol can be exposed to risks that other businesses don’t face. For these risks, there’s liquor liability insurance.
Liquor liability insurance provides specialized protections against many of the risks that come with selling alcohol. It may cover a variety of situations where other policies don’t offer protection.
What businesses need to carry liquor liability coverage?
Liquor liability coverage isn’t always a requirement for obtaining a liquor license. Coverage is something that’s strongly recommended for businesses selling alcohol retail, though. Not carrying coverage could leave businesses entirely exposed if something happens.
Examples of businesses that sell alcohol retail, and thus probably should have a policy, include:
- Bars, pubs and nightclubs
- Restaurants serving alcohol
- Wineries, breweries and meaderies
- Liquor stores
- Vendors serving alcohol at events
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
Get a Quote
What kinds of incidents are covered by liquor liability policies?
Liquor liability policies may offer protection in a variety of incidents where alcohol is involved. Some potential examples include:
- Common accident (e.g. slip and fall) where an intoxicated customer is injured
- Assault (e.g. fights) involving an intoxicated customer
- Sexual harassment and sexual assault perpetrated by an intoxicated customer
- DUI after an intoxicated customer leaves the establishment
- Alcohol poisoning of an intoxicated customer
Although it might seem like the intoxicated customer should be held responsible in many of these scenarios, it’s common for the business that serves the customer to also be sued. Claimants may try to say that the business overserved the customer, and businesses often have more assets than individuals do.
An insurance agent who specializes in liquor liability can help explain what kinds of incidents a particular liquor liability policy would likely cover.
Are accidents involving intoxicated customers covered by general liability?
One of the most notable risks that general liability usually protects against are commonplace accidents, such as slips and falls, where a customer or other third party is injured.
Most general liability policies exclude these accidents when the customer is intoxicated, however. Thus, liquor liability is normally needed in order to cover such accidents when someone isn’t sober.
Liquor liability and general liability coverages can usually be bundled together in a single policy, along with many other coverages.
Does liquor liability cover claims involving underage customers?
Liquor liability often doesn’t cover incidents when the person involved is an underage customer. Businesses are normally responsible for training employees to check individual IDs, and to know how to identify potential fakes.
Can event sponsors get liquor liability for their events?
Short-term liquor liability coverage is readily available for organizations that host special events. This coverage is a common part of event insurance policies.
An agent who assists with liquor liability should also be able to help with event insurance.
How much do businesses pay for liquor liability coverage?
The cost of liquor liability varies, being affected by many factors. Some of what impacts cost include:
- How much annual revenue is
- What percent of sales come from alcohol
- What types of alcohol are sold
- Whether there are any recent liability claims
An independent insurance agent can help businesses find out how much their coverage will cost. Independent agents are able to compare policies from among several insurers.
How can businesses selling alcohol get liquor liability insurance?
If you need help finding liquor liability insurance for a business in upstate New York or Pennsyvlania, contact the independent insurance agents at Tri-Town Insurance. Our agents have worked with many restaurants, bars and retailers, and we’re ready to help you find the liquor liability coverage your business should have.
Get in Touch With Our Team!
Corporate Office
Afton: 607-639-2255
Bainbridge: 607-967-2241
Elmira Heights: 607-734-1633
Endicott: 607-785-1300
Nichols: 607-699-3081
Owego: 607-687-1381
Waverly: 607-565-2808
Whitney Point: 607-692-3350
FAX: 607-687-5338
Corporate Address
192 Front St.
PO Box 417
Owego, NY 13827
Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am – 4:30pm
Evenings & Weekends by appointment
Request a Quote Here!