Your Restaurant Insurance Experts in Agoura Hills, California

Zeyger Insurance insures many different types of restaurants.

Owning your own business is hard enough as it is right? Between the schedule managing, staff coming down with the mysterious sickness of the quarter, and especially unhappy customers.

We sadly can’t resolve the issues listed above but we can resolve an issue you might not even have thought of yet.

Liability Coverage for your Restaurant

Picture this, you have a customer who specifically lets you know of a food allergy that must be avoided. Your kitchen staff not paying attention accidentally contaminates their meal with said food allergy.

Not only does your customer suffer from the extreme allergic reaction but you are now wide open to a potential lawsuit.

See, things like this happen every day in our world. Although they might not happen every day in yours, our job is to make sure you are protected for the “what if”

Restaurant Liability Policy Components

There are multiple “components” that make up a solid Restaurant Insurance policy. Different companies may offer these as a “bundle” while with others they are a’ la carte.

Business Owners Package Insurance

General Liability Insurance

This coverage is going to protect you from a variety of potential claims. Some of these examples can be bodily injury, property damage, personal injury and others that can potentially come up if you are found negligent.

Workers Compensation Insurance?

In most states if you have employees then this isn’t even a question of do I want this? This is a must to be able to employee staff. Workers Compensation (otherwise known as workers comp) is strictly designed to ensure payment by employers for some part of cost of injuries to an employee. Some examples of this can be things like:

  • Injury at Work
  • Disease caused by work environment

In most cases an incident would need to take place while the employee is at the place of employment, however it would be best to discuss with your local independent insurance agent for more of a case by case basis.

Workers Compensation Insurance
Business Owners Insurance

Loss of Income Insurance

What happens in the event you are unable to open your restaurant due to a claim? This in most cases would cause a major hardship for you as a business owner. You wouldn’t be able to serve your customers which in turn means no income coming in.

This is where Loss of Income Insurance is imperative. This coverage would allow you to have a “back up” plan in the event you were unable to generate an income due to a covered loss.

Property Damage

This would allow you coverage for damage to your building, inventory, or equipment. Most policies would offer you a replacement cost coverage to these items so you would be able to repair or replace these items for today’s cost.

To make sure you have replacement cost coverage on property it is important to check with your independent insurance agent.

Business Owners Insurance
Business Owners Insurance

Crime and Vandalism Coverage

This would cover you in the event you had a claim due to a burglary, robbery, employee theft, or any vandalism to the property.

Here are a few examples of clients we work with and make sure their business are protected:

  • Local Restaurants
  • Food Trucks
  • Catering Companies
  • Food Delivery Restaurants
  • Ice Cream Trucks
  • Bars
  • Cafeterias
  • Local Diners

The list can go on and on.

So how do you know if a restaurant liability policy is a good fit for your business?

We always would recommend you calling a local independent insurance agent like us, and discussing your coverage options. Our agency can work with you in finding the perfect fit for your restaurant insurance needs.

Start a Restaurant Insurance Quote

Commercial Restaurant Insurance FAQ

Running a successful restaurant is a delicate dance between culinary artistry, operational efficiency, and unwavering guest satisfaction. Yet, beneath the sizzle and clatter lies a foundational necessity that often gets overlooked until disaster strikes: Comprehensive commercial restaurant insurance. Think of it as the invisible safety net beneath your high-flying gastronomic endeavors. From a rogue spilled drink leading to a slip-and-fall lawsuit to a kitchen fire that shutters your doors for months, the potential pitfalls in the restaurant industry are as diverse as your menu. Without the right coverage, a single unforeseen event can not only deplete your hard-earned profits but could quite literally extinguish your business. This guide isn’t just about understanding policies; it’s about empowering you, the restaurant owner, to make informed, strategic decisions. We’ll demystify the jargon, highlight critical coverages, and share actionable insights to help you protect your passion, people, and plate.

General Liability insurance protects your restaurant from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal or advertising injury that occur on your premises or as a result of your operations. This coverage is essential for handling common incidents like a customer slipping on a wet floor or property damage caused by an employee at a client’s location. It covers legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments up to your policy limits, providing a vital financial shield. Most landlords and business partners require proof of General Liability insurance.

Real Results: A small bistro faced a $50,000 lawsuit after a patron tripped over an uneven rug and broke her wrist. Its General Liability policy covered all legal fees and the subsequent settlement. This saved the business from significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Takeaway: Secure General Liability coverage immediately. It’s your primary defense against everyday risks involving customers and third parties.

Commercial Property insurance protects your restaurant’s physical assets, including your building (if owned), kitchen equipment, furniture, inventory, and outdoor signs, against covered perils. It steps in to cover repair or replacement costs for damage from events like fires, theft, vandalism, and certain natural disasters. Without this coverage, rebuilding or replacing essential items after a major incident would fall entirely on your shoulders, potentially leading to the permanent closure of your business. It’s the backbone of your physical investment.

Real Results: After a kitchen fire caused extensive damage to equipment and the interior structure, a family restaurant’s Commercial Property insurance paid out $200,000 for repairs and replacements, allowing it to reopen within 3 months.

Takeaway: Protect your brick-and-mortar investment and essential equipment with robust Commercial Property insurance tailored to replacement cost.

Yes, Workers’ Compensation insurance is legally mandated in most U.S. states for businesses with employees, and it’s absolutely vital for a restaurant. It provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured or made ill on the job, regardless of fault. This coverage protects your business from costly lawsuits by injured employees and ensures that your team receives the necessary care. Without it, you could face hefty fines, legal action, and be personally liable for an employee’s medical bills and lost wages.

Real Results: A line cook suffered a severe burn that required emergency treatment and 2 weeks off work. The restaurant’s Workers’ Compensation policy covered all $15,000 of his medical bills and a portion of his lost wages, preventing a direct financial hit to the business.

Takeaway: Comply with state law and protect your employees and business from work-related injury costs by securing Workers’ Compensation.

Business Interruption insurance, also known as Business Income insurance, replaces lost income and covers ongoing operating expenses if your restaurant is forced to close temporarily due to a covered peril. For instance, if a fire or flood makes your premises unusable, this policy helps you cover rent, payroll, utilities, and other fixed costs while you rebuild or repair. It’s a critical safety net that allows your business to survive unexpected shutdowns, ensuring financial stability during recovery. Many small businesses fail after a disaster without it.

Real Results: A food truck experienced a complete engine failure, sidelining it for 6 weeks. Business Interruption coverage reimbursed the owner for $12,000 in lost revenue and fixed expenses during the repair period.

Takeaway: Prioritize Business Interruption insurance; it’s essential for maintaining financial viability during unexpected operational closures.

Yes, if your restaurant serves or sells alcoholic beverages, Liquor Liability insurance is absolutely necessary, and often legally required. This coverage protects your business from claims of bodily injury or property damage caused by an intoxicated patron whom your establishment served. It addresses the unique risks associated with alcohol service, such as over-serving a customer who then causes an accident. Without it, your restaurant could face severe legal and financial consequences from a single incident.

Real Results: A bar-restaurant faced a $250,000 lawsuit when an over-served patron caused a car accident. Its Liquor Liability policy covered the significant legal defense costs and settlement, preventing catastrophic financial loss.

Takeaway: If you serve alcohol, Liquor Liability insurance is non-negotiable for protecting against patron-related incidents.