Florida Restaurant Insurance
Get a complete analysis of Florida restaurant insurance costs, coverages & companies.
Written by
Christine Lacagnina has written thousands of insurance-based articles for TrustedChoice.com by authoring consumable, understandable content.
Reviewed by
Paul Martin is the Director of Education and Development for Myron Steves, one of the largest, most respected insurance wholesalers in the southern U.S.
Find the Best Restaurant Insurance Rates & Companies in Florida
You've already created the perfect menu for the restaurant you're opening in Florida. However, you also need to consider the potential risks that come along with the trade, such as customer lawsuits, commercial property damage, and more. These possible hazards make having the proper restaurant insurance critical.
Luckily, a Florida independent insurance agent can help you find the right restaurant insurance for your unique business. They'll get you matched to a policy that provides the ideal amount of coverage. First, though, here's a closer look at Florida restaurant insurance requirements, coverage options, and more.
Best Restaurant Insurance Companies in Florida
To get coverage for your Florida restaurant, you'll need to find a carrier that offers business insurance. Many carriers can customize a business insurance policy to meet the needs of your restaurant. Here are some of our top recommendations for the best Florida restaurant insurance companies.
- Liberty Mutual: This carrier sells many types of business and personal insurance. Liberty Mutual is highly rated by AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), offers many discounts, and provides 24/7 claims reporting.
- Travelers: Travelers is a longstanding carrier in the insurance industry with superior ratings from AM Best and the BBB and offers numerous discounts.
- Nationwide: Nationwide is highly rated by AM Best and the BBB, offers coverage in most states, and provides 24/7 claims reporting.
An independent insurance agent in Florida can help you find a top-rated carrier that can customize a business insurance policy to cover your unique restaurant.
What Does Restaurant Insurance Cover in Florida?
Many different aspects of business insurance are necessary for restaurant owners. In Florida, you'll likely choose from the following coverage options when building your restaurant insurance policy:
- General liability insurance: This coverage protects against lawsuit costs related to bodily injury or personal property damage to third parties like customers. Food poisoning claims would fall under this category.
- Workers' compensation insurance: If your employees get ill, injured, or die from a work-related incident, this aspect of restaurant insurance can cover the financial ramifications. Coverage is mandatory in Florida, as well as most other states.
- Commercial property insurance: This covers any damage to the physical building that houses your restaurant, as well as other equipment and inventory, in case of fire, etc. Note that restaurants with a drive-thru have additional property that needs coverage, but paved surfaces like driveways are not typically covered by general property insurance.
- Small business insurance: This package of coverages can include liability insurance, commercial property insurance, workers comp., and other types of protection your small restaurant needs together in one convenient policy.
- Business income insurance: This covers any financial loss suffered while a business is temporarily closed due to fire damage or other listed disasters.
- Ordinance and law insurance: This covers financial ramifications if your building is not up to state code. Coverage also applies if you need to rebuild your restaurant or build one from the ground up. Handicap-compliant features, fire safety equipment, and emergency exits are all factors considered in this coverage.
- Boiler and machinery insurance: This covers electric equipment in the building (e.g., AC units and boilers) that breaks down due to power surges, etc.
- Spoilage insurance: This covers the replacement costs of food that spoils due to power outages caused by storms, surges, etc.
- Communicable disease insurance: This covers costs related to any illnesses transmitted to customers due to improper hygiene of your employees.
A Florida independent insurance agent can help you build a complete restaurant insurance policy for your business.
Additional Restaurant Insurance Coverage Options in Florida
Your restaurant may need additional coverage beyond a basic policy. Here are some additional coverage options to consider for your Florida restaurant:
- Commercial auto insurance: If you run a restaurant that makes deliveries, you'll need coverage for your company vehicles against threats like lawsuits, theft, and vandalism. Food trucks also need this coverage.
- Commercial umbrella insurance: This can increase your business's liability protection to a limit of $1 million or greater. Umbrella insurance can help your restaurant recover from especially expensive lawsuits that exhaust typical coverage limits in general liability insurance, etc.
- Liquor liability insurance: Coverage can protect you against the cost of legal ramifications if your employees overserve a customer who ends up with a DUI or other alcohol-related charge.
- Signage coverage: This protects against costs related to loss or damage to restaurant signage against perils such as weather and vandalism.
- Art floater insurance: In case of fire or theft, this coverage can help pay for repairs or replacements to artwork in your restaurant.
Ask your Florida independent insurance agent about any additional types of coverage your restaurant may still need.
What's Not Covered by Florida Restaurant Insurance?
Restaurant insurance in Florida provides a lot of important coverage, but it's not without various exclusions. Be aware that your policy likely won't cover any of the following:
- Damage related to pollution
- Malicious or intentional acts against third parties
- General wear and tear damage
- Insect infestations
- Professional liability claims
Be sure to review your specific restaurant insurance policy to determine your coverage exclusions before ever filing a claim.
How Florida's Dram Shop Laws Affect Coverage Needs
In Florida, as well as in most other states, a guest who gets injured due to over-intoxication may not sue the establishment that served them. It's considered the guest's responsibility to monitor how much liquor they consume.
However, liquor liability insurance may be required if a minor is served since they're not legally allowed to drink in any state. Your independent insurance agent can set you up with the proper liquor liability coverage based on Florida's unique laws. They'll also explain the costs associated with each level of coverage.
Ready to Save On Restaurant Insurance?
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
How Much Does Restaurant Insurance Cost in Florida?
The cost of restaurant insurance in Florida can vary widely depending on the type of restaurant you own and other factors. These can include:
- The location of your restaurant
- How many employees your restaurant has
- The size of your restaurant
- Whether your restaurant serves alcohol
- Whether your restaurant makes deliveries or has a drive-thru
Restaurant insurance policies can vary from a couple hundred dollars annually to well into the thousands or even more. Working with an independent insurance agent in Florida is the best way to get set up with the most affordable coverage.
Popular Questions about Florida Restaurant Insurance
Certain aspects of business insurance may be required for your restaurant in Florida. For example, if you rent or lease business property, you'll likely be required to have coverage by your lender.
Many factors can influence the cost of restaurant insurance in Florida. Your restaurant's size, location, specific operations, and more can impact insurance rates.
We found that Liberty Mutual is the best restaurant insurance company in Florida. Liberty Mutual offers competitive rates, excellent coverage options, and quality customer service.
You may be wondering, "How do I find the best restaurant insurance in Florida?" It's simple when you enlist the help of a Florida independent insurance agent. Local independent insurance agents make it easy to find the right policy by obtaining customized coverage and quotes from multiple insurance companies in your area. Your agent can help you find affordable restaurant insurance in Orlando or wherever you reside.