Bartending is a demanding profession that needs you to have excellent hospitality skills. In your role as a bartender, you prepare and serve drinks at various events. You can also be hired as a private bartender for corporate events or weddings.
While you might have everything in order, you can’t have total control over the event — chances of making mistakes are always there. In case of any errors or accidents, you could be held liable for damages. This is why you need bartender insurance that protects you from such claims.
To better understand bartender insurance, we will discuss the various forms of this policy and what it covers. We will also discuss the cost of bartender insurance and the best companies you can buy this policy.
Bartender Insurance for Wedding
As a skilled and experienced bartender, you could be hired to serve at high-end weddings. While this means you will make money, it could also mean you risk losing it. Weddings are busy events with lots of people, and the risk of causing damage is very high. When working in such an environment, any damage you cause could result in claims against you. For instance, you accidentally spill drinks on a VIP guest that damage their luxury watch. Infuriated, the victim decides to file a lawsuit against you and your bartending services.
If you don’t have insurance for bartenders, you risk losing a lot of money on settlements. This is why you should get bartender insurance for the wedding. As a professional whose business entails making and serving alcohol, you could also be held liable by state dram shop laws to take responsibility for damages and accidents caused by those you served at the wedding. It is important to note that liquor liability claims can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, significantly hurting your finances and business reputation.
This insurance policy will protect you against such claims and help you provide your bartending services with peace of mind. This is important because you can’t predict what will happen at a busy and extravagant wedding event. If you have a bartending company with a team of bartenders, you need to insure them as well. When one of your bartenders causes damages while working at a wedding event, your business will face lawsuits.
Bartender Liability Insurance
Bartender liability insurance is an insurance plan designed to protect your bartending business from all forms of liability claims. As professionals, bartenders face a unique set of risks that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage claims. Purchasing bartender liability insurance is important because it will protect you against such lawsuits. It would help if you also considered getting comprehensive coverage that reduces or removes the cost of these liability claims. Understanding the unique risks bartenders face regularly is vital in motivating you to purchase this insurance policy.
There are several claims that bartender liability insurance helps solve. For example, when you serve drinks to a visibly intoxicated person and they end causing an accident or damages, you will face a lawsuit. The cost could be high, especially if the person caused severe damage. For instance, when they run into a parked luxury car or cause serious injury to others, the lawsuit will cost you a lot of money. With bartender liability insurance, you mitigate the cost of such claims, saving a lot of money.
Liquor Liability Insurance for Bartenders
According to most state laws, you are liable for damages or accidents caused by individuals you served alcoholic drinks. This is especially when those you serve are visibly intoxicated or minors. With liquor liability insurance, you can eliminate or mitigate the out-of-pocket cost of these claims. Remember that the average cost of liquor-related claims against bartenders is $85,000.
Having liquor liability insurance goes beyond protecting you against the risks related to your profession. This insurance policy is mandatory for businesses that serve or sell alcohol. Depending on the location of your bartending business, you will need this insurance policy to obtain your business license. Liquor liability insurance is very important, especially in states with dram shop laws. These states hold businesses and individuals accountable for the actions of intoxicated people.
Bartender Insurance Companies
Here are some of the top insurance companies offering bartender insurance and their policies.
1. Food Liquor Liability Program (FLIP)
FLIP is a reputable insurance company specialized in providing insurance to those in the beverage and food industry. FLIP offers estimates depending on what you will pay for a policy. The prices of most policies vary from state to state; however, they are affordable.
FLIP Policy Details
This company offers comprehensive and flexible bartender insurance options that cover a wide of claims. Furthermore, you will enjoy liquor liability insurance accessible to a wide range of businesses in the bartending industry. Whether you are a wholesale distributor or a private club, FLIP has a policy tailored just for you.
Pros
- No cap on alcohol sales
- Coverage offered for all types of retail bar establishments
- Battery and assault charges are available
Cons
- Not offered in all states
Average cost: $295
Best for: Established bartender businesses
2. biBERK Insurance
biBERK is a developed insurance company founded in 2015. It provides insurance to business owners in different industries. biBERK has grown rapidly over the last few years, spreading its services to most parts of the country.
biBERK Policy Details
biBERK has a comprehensive insurance cover for bartenders and those in the bartending business. Being a Berkshire Hathaway company, biBERK has robust policies that include a long list of coverage options. This offers you tailored insurance cover that protects you against a wide range of claims.
Pros:
- You can get a quote online
- Policies are offered directly
- Fast claim responsiveness
Cons
- You cannot have standalone liquor liability insurance.
Average cost: $310
Best for: small businesses
