Learn how to choose the insurance coverages that will protect your kitchen, employees, and customers while mitigating risk.

Running a restaurant can be a rewarding and lucrative endeavor, but it also comes with significant risk. From accidents in the kitchen to customer injuries, there are many liabilities that restaurant owners need to consider. The proper insurance coverage can provide protection against the financial aspects of damaged property, food contamination, bodily injury liability and other hazards.

Understand the legal and contractual requirements.

Depending on the state and local laws, you may be required to carry certain types of coverage, such as workers compensation or liability insurance. Some municipalities or landlords may also require restaurant owners to carry a specific dollar amount of coverage, so make sure you're familiar with the requirements that might apply to you.

Conduct a thorough risk assessment & mitigate risks.

Identify potential liabilities in your restaurant and consider the following when choosing an insurance policy:

• Kitchen hazards: Hot surfaces, sharp knives, and boiling liquids are just a few of the hazards that can lead to accidents in the kitchen.
• Customer injuries: Slips, falls, and food poisoning are a few examples of injuries that customers may sustain in your restaurant.
• Property damage: Whether it's damage caused by a fire, natural disaster, or other events, property damage can be costly for restaurant owners.

Once you've identified potential risks, take steps to mitigate them. For example, implement safety protocols in your kitchen, train your employees on food handling procedures, and make sure your restaurant meets or exceeds local health and safety regulations. This can save you money by opening up premium discounts while preventing costly claims.

Select insurance coverage tailored to your needs.

Here are a few forms of insurance coverage common to the restaurant industry:

• Business Owners Policy (BOP): A BOP combines liability and property insurance coverages into one convenient policy. This is a great option for restaurateurs that own or rent a physical location visited by patrons. 
• General Liability Insurance: This coverage protects your restaurant’s legal responsibility for claims related to injuries or property damage that occur on your premises. Think classic slip-and-fall accidents.
• Property Insurance: This coverage can protect your restaurant’s buildings, as well as the property within those buildings, from damage caused by fires, natural disasters, theft, vandalism, or other events.
• Liquor Liability Insurance: This coverage protects businesses that manufacture, sell or serve alcohol in the case that an intoxicated patron causes injuries or property damage after drinking at their establishment. It can help cover legal fees, settlements, and other costs associated with alcohol-related incidents.
• Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI): This policy provides coverage for defense costs and damages related to various employment-related claims such as discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation and other employment-related issues.
• Tenant’s Liability Insurance: This coverage protects restaurants that rent their property and covers the cost of damage that the business and their customers may cause to the facility.
• Cyber Liability Insurance: This insurance provides coverage for liability and expenses as a result of data breaches and other cybersecurity incidents.
• Business Interruption Insurance: If your restaurant is unable to operate due to a covered event, such as a fire or natural disaster, business interruption will replace lost income and additional expenses incurred during the downtime.
• Food Spoilage and Contamination Insurance: This coverage helps businesses recoup losses caused by spoilage or contamination of perishable goods due to power outages, mechanical breakdowns, or refrigeration failures.
• Equipment breakdown Insurance: This coverage provides protection for mechanical or electrical breakdown of equipment, including cooking equipment, refrigerators and air conditioning units.
• Utility Service Interruption: This coverage protects a business for loss due to interruption of utility services, such as electricity, gas or water.
• Workers Compensation Insurance: If an employee is injured on the job, work comp covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and lost wages. It can also protect restaurants from lawsuits related to employee injuries.

Consult with a professional.

Identifying the correct type and amount of insurance coverage can be complex, so always consult with a professional agent. Rainbow agents can help you identify potential risks, analyze your obligations, and provide competitive coverage options for your restaurant.

Keep your policy up to date.

As your restaurant grows and operations evolve, your insurance needs may change. For example, if you add new equipment or expand your restaurant, you may need to update your policy to ensure you have adequate coverage. Make sure to review your policy regularly and consult your agent to make any necessary updates to protect your restaurant, equipment, and employees.

At Rainbow, we specialize in providing comprehensive insurance solutions for restaurants and other food service businesses. Contact a Rainbow agent today to get a quote, and learn more about how we can provide the right coverage to meet your specific needs and budget. Visit userainbow.com/for-restaurants today.