“Liability insurance” for a restaurant is really three coverages working together — general liability for the dining room, product liability for the food, and liquor liability for the bar. Here’s what each one does, what it costs, and which ones your lease and liquor license actually require. Get multiple quotes within minutes.
General liability: the dining room
Covers third-party injuries and property damage — the slip on a wet floor, the chair that breaks, the coat ruined by a spilled tray. Standard limits are $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate, and nearly every commercial lease requires it with your landlord named as additional insured.Your real number depends on payroll, operations, and carrier appetite — comparing several quotes side by side is the only way to see it.
Product liability: the food
Included within most GL policies, this responds to foodborne illness and contamination claims — the exposure unique to serving food. It’s why restaurant GL is priced differently than retail GL, and why documentation of food-safety practices helps your rate.
Liquor liability: the bar
General liability excludes alcohol-related claims. If you sell or serve alcohol, liquor liability picks up where GL stops — including dram shop claims where an over-served guest injures someone after leaving. Many state liquor authorities and most landlords require it; cost scales with your alcohol sales percentage. See it in action state by state: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Kansas, California, Indiana.
What about delivery?
Liability follows your food out the door — but not your drivers’ cars. If staff deliver in their own vehicles, add hired & non-owned auto; if you run delivery vehicles, you need commercial auto. Third-party delivery platforms typically require proof before activating your account.
Frequently asked questions
What liability limits do landlords require?
Almost universally $1M/$2M general liability with the landlord as additional insured — the endorsement is inexpensive and your certificate of insurance proves it.
Is liquor liability included in general liability?
No — GL excludes alcohol claims for businesses that sell or serve it. Liquor liability is a separate coverage, and skipping it is the most common serious gap we see in restaurant policies.
Ready for your number? Get multiple quotes within minutes from an independent agency that shops top carriers for your restaurant.
Related guides: the restaurant BOP, certificates of insurance, restaurant insurance requirements, and the best restaurant insurance companies compared.