Restaurant Insurance

Fork and knife icon

Restaurant Insurance for the Food & Beverage Industry

I want to get a quote:

Continue previous quote.

Or call (800) 841-1621.

Manage Your Food & Beverage Insurance

Manage your policy online or call (800) 841-1621

Need a restaurant insurance quote?

Existing policyholder?

Access your policy

What is restaurant insurance?

Fork and knife large icon

Restaurant insurance can help cover unexpected costs and help you stay open if things go wrong. Having insurance for restaurant owners is crucial. Whether it is slip-and-fall accidents involving customers, employee injuries, or property damage, being prepared for these risks can save you from significant financial burdens. Restaurant insurance can cover various scenarios, from replacing spoiled food due to a broken fridge to handling lawsuits from customers who get sick from contaminated food.

You face specific challenges related to being in the food business. The good news is that we can help you find the right restaurant coverage for you. So, whether you own a restaurant, bakery, coffee shop, or ice cream shop, we're here for you.

What insurance coverage is available for restaurants under a business owners policy?

Restaurant insurance is a type of business owners policy (BOP). These policies generally provide protection for:

  • Bodily injuries caused to a person on your property
  • Defense costs for covered liability
  • Protection for business furniture and equipment (ex., ovens, refrigerators, tables, and chairs)

What types of businesses need restaurant insurance?

Any business in the restaurant industry needs restaurant insurance to protect them from unforeseen incidents that could cause disruptions or financial loss:

  • Coffee shops and cafés
  • Cafeterias
  • Pizza restaurants
  • Fine dining restaurants
  • Bistros
  • Buffets
  • Carryout providers
  • Caterers
  • Concession stands/snack bars
  • Diners
  • Delis
  • Food delivery services
  • Food trucks
  • Family restaurants
  • Fast food establishments
  • Juice bars
  • Restaurant franchises
  • Restaurant suppliers
  • Sandwich shops

What does restaurant insurance cover for food and beverage businesses?

We know each business is unique. We'll help break down the coverages so you can decide which coverages you need. Please note, some coverages are subject to deductibles and limits.

Standard BOP Policy Coverages

  • You Can't Open Your Business

    Your business is damaged due to a fire and you cannot operate until repairs are made.

    • Business Income And Extra Expense Coverage: Helps with loss of income and fixed expenses. This could include things like rent or payroll, while your business is temporarily closed for repairs. This provides coverage for up to 12 months.
  • Building or Property Damage

    Your business' building or property is destroyed due to a covered loss, like a fire or theft.

    • Business Building and Personal Property Coverage: Can help pay to repair or replace an owned building. It can help replace destroyed personal business property, up to the limits you pick.
  • Computer Virus Attack

    You get an email from a client, but you open it to discover that it contains a virus.

    • Electronic Data Coverage: Helps pay for repairing and restoring data due to harmful code that damages or destroys any part of your company's computer system. This coverage is included in a basic BOP, but you can increase your coverage limits.
  • Billing Records Are Destroyed

    There is a fire and your company's billing records are destroyed. This makes it difficult for you to collect payments from customers.

    • Accounts Receivable Protection: Helps pay for increased cost of collecting payments and the expense of reestablishing the records of accounts receivable.
  • Injured Employees

    One of your employees sprains their ankle on the job and is unable to work.

    • Worker's Compensation Insurance: Helps pay the medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of an employee's lost wages while they recover from a work-related injury or illness.
  • Auto Accidents

    Your driver was making a delivery on a snowy day and collided with another car, causing minor injuries to the other driver and damage to your vehicle.

    • Commercial Auto Insurance: Protects businesses from financial loss due to accidents, collisions, or damage involving company-owned vehicles by covering repair costs, medical expenses, and liability claims arising from the use of these vehicles for work-related tasks.

BOP Policy Add-On Coverages

  • Employee Dishonesty

    Your business receives checks, credit card payments and sometimes cash for work that you do. When reviewing the monthly receipts, you notice that the deposits were lower than usual.

    • Employee Dishonesty Coverage: Helps pay for a loss if an employee steals money or property from your business. This may be an optional coverage.
  • Oven Breaks Down in Your Shop

    The oven at your business breaks due to a power surge, now, you can't prepare food and you lose your entire inventory due to spoilage.

    • Equipment Breakdown Coverage: Helps pay for expenses caused by a sudden breakdown of machinery or other equipment.
  • Power Outage

    A transformer blows and you lose power to your business.

    • Spoilage Coverage: Helps pay for perishable items that spoil due to a power outage.
  • Stolen Cash

    Your business is broken into and money is stolen.

    • Money and Securities Coverage: Helps protect your business against loss of money or securities due to theft, disappearance or destruction. This optional coverage may provide reimbursement whether the loss occurred on or off your business premises.
  • Contaminated Food

    A health department inspection finds food contamination and shuts your business down.

    • Food Contamination: Helps pay to clean equipment and replace contaminated food if your business is shut down by the health department. It may also reimburse you for lost business income and other expenses while your company is shut down.
  • Workplace Harassment

    You receive a letter from an employee's lawyer informing you of a line cook's inappropriate behavior towards your hostess while on the clock.

    • Employment Practices Liability Coverage: Provides employers with protection in cases of workplace harassment or discrimination claims brought against them by employees. This coverage pays for legal expenses related to these claims, mitigating financial risks.

Other Business Insurance Related Products

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Most states have requirements about workers compensation coverage. It can help provide financial protection for job-related accidents and illnesses.

Commercial Auto

A personal auto policy may not cover vehicles used for business. Commercial auto insurance:

  • Offer liability coverage to protect you
  • Include cars, pickup trucks, box trucks, and more

Umbrella Insurance

An umbrella insurance policy may provide additional coverage over and above other applicable insurance policies.

Cyber Liability

Businesses may need protection from computer-related attacks, such as malware, phishing, ransomware, or if laptop with confidential information on it is stolen. A cyber liability insurance policy can help protect your business.

Restaurant Insurance FAQs

  • Why is restaurant insurance important?
    Restaurant insurance is important because it provides comprehensive protection against potential risks that can significantly impact a restaurant's reputation and financial stability. This coverage helps mitigate the financial burden of unexpected events, such as fires, theft, liability claims, or employee injuries, ensuring that the business can recover and continue operating smoothly. Without restaurant insurance, owners may face substantial out-of-pocket expenses and legal liabilities that could threaten the viability of their establishment.
  • How does a business owners policy (BOP) protect my restaurant or food business?
    A Business Owners Policy (BOP) protects your restaurant or food business by combining essential insurance coverages into a single, cost-effective package. It typically includes property insurance to safeguard your physical assets like equipment and furnishings, liability insurance to cover potential lawsuits, and business interruption coverage to help with income losses during disruptions. A BOP is tailored to the specific needs of your industry, making it a smart choice for restaurant and food business owners seeking comprehensive risk management.
  • What do I need to get a restaurant insurance quote?
    To get a restaurant insurance quote, you need to provide basic information about your establishment, such as its location, size, and the type of cuisine served. Additionally, insurers may request details on your restaurant's annual revenue, the number of employees, and any previous insurance history. Providing accurate information helps insurers assess the specific risks associated with your business, allowing them to offer you a tailored insurance quote that meets your needs and budget.

Explore Small Business Insurance Related Articles

Benefits of owning a small business

Starting a small business is a lot of work, but it can be extremely rewarding. Here's why you might want to take the plunge.

6 smart tips for starting a small business

Whether you're thinking about a business of one person or 100, these suggestions could help.

Is your small business properly insured?

Checkout some helpful information on what types of business insurance you need to consider for your small business.

Updating your insurance: What You'll Need

Whether you are looking to update your business or personal insurance, our checklist can help make sure you are ready for the process.

Please note:

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.

For online quotes:

GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. has partnered with Hiscox Insurance to provide business insurance products. When you click on "Start Quote", "business owner's insurance quote", or "business owner's policy quote" you will be taken to the Hiscox website, which is not owned or controlled by GEICO.

GEICO has no control over the privacy practices of Hiscox and assumes no responsibility in connection with your use of their website. Any information that you directly provide to Hiscox is subject to the privacy policy posted on their website. All business products offered are written on an admitted basis (Hiscox Insurance Co., Inc.) with A.M. Best credit rating of 'A' (Excellent) and financial size XI.

Commercial auto coverage is underwritten by Government Employees Insurance Company. In some cases commercial auto coverage is provided through GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc., either under an arrangement with National Indemnity Company (NICO), a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, or with non-affiliated insurers.

Other business insurance coverages are written through either Berkshire Hathaway affiliated or non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. We can help you secure business insurance in all states except Hawaii.

The information you provide will be shared with our business partners so that they can return a quote.