Yes, serving alcohol in your establishment can be a cash cow. Many venues make most of their money from alcohol sales, but are they protected? When patrons start drinking, they may be prone to making poor decisions that could drag your business into the fracas. What do you do?
Review these options for liquor liability insurance, how they work, and what they can do to protect (or even save) your business. The law in Florida is clear, and you must protect yourself from any issues that might arise.
What is Liquor Liability Insurance?
Liquor liability insurance does just what it says it does. You’re protected from liability in cases where liquor sales are involved. Yes, you may carry traditional liability coverage, but issues concerning alcohol sales may not be covered.
What Does Liquor Liability Insurance Cover?
Yes, you’re protected when incidents involving alcohol occur, but what exactly does this coverage entail? Liquor liability insurance handles:
- Legal fees
- Settlements, judgments, or fines levied against your business
- Personal property damage
- Medical expenses for those who were injured
What else can liquor liability insurance cover? Well, if you run a busy nightclub, bar, or restaurant, you will need coverage for:
- Assault and battery—stemming from alcohol consumption
- Drunk driving—injuries or deaths caused by a drunk driver who imbibed at your establishment
- Personal property damage caused by patrons who were intoxicated
What’s Not Covered by Liquor Liability Insurance?
You purchased liquor liability insurance, but what does it not cover? Remember, no insurance policy is perfect, and you need to know about gaps in the policy, which could include:
- Libel
- Slander
- Cases of underaged drinking
- Business property damage (which should be covered by a commercial policy)
Comprehensive Fleet Coverage
Comprehensive fleet coverage is perfect for any business because it does more than pay for the repairs or liability after the accident. Your comprehensive coverage will handle items like:
- Flooding
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Fire, etc
Instead of attempting to assess your risk, you may want to purchase a comprehensive fleet plan and add on to it as you go.
Businesses That Need Liquor Liability Insurance
Does your business need liquor liability insurance? Think of the sorts of places that need this coverage—they may be more widespread than you once believed:
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Liquor stores
- Wineries
- Breweries
- Caterers
- Special events venues
What is the Florida Dram Shop Law?
Florida dram shop laws do not hold establishments liability for serving those who are visibly intoxicated, but they do hold establishments accountable when serving minors or those who are addicted.
This razor-thin distinction is an important part of protecting your business. You can’t know for sure who’s an addict and who isn’t. But, you can carry insurance that protects you irrespective of the situation.
Contact DSI for More Information on Mortgage Protection and Life Insurance
Reach out to our expert team at DSI for assistance with mortgage protection insurance and life insurance protection when you want to safeguard your family homestead and legacy. Your partner and your family can rest easy knowing that the house is secured, especially when you’ve layered these coverages properly.