Running a restaurant in Florida can be a lucrative business venture, but it also comes with certain risks. To protect your business from potential losses, having the right insurance coverage is essential.

On this page, we’ll take a look at what types of insurance are necessary for restaurants in the state of Florida. We’ll discuss common coverages such as property and liability insurance as well as specialized coverages like liquor liability and food contamination coverage that may be available to you.

With the right information and advice from an experienced insurance provider, you can make sure your restaurant has all the protection it needs to succeed in today's competitive market.

Risks Common to Florida Restaurant Owners

The risks associated with owning a restaurant in Florida are similar to those faced by restaurant owners in other parts of the country. These include:

a) Food Safety Concerns

Since restaurants prepare and serve food to their customers, it is important for owners to ensure that all foods are properly stored, prepared, and served according to health standards. This includes ensuring proper temperatures for refrigerated items, using fresh ingredients from reputable sources, and using approved cleaning solutions for utensils and dishes.

b) Natural Disasters

Florida is known for its warm weather and sunny days—but it’s also no stranger to natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and fires. If a natural disaster were to occur in your area, it could result in significant damage to your restaurant.

c) Equipment Malfunctions

Restaurant owners depend on their equipment—from kitchen appliances and ovens to refrigerators and dishwashers—to keep operations running smoothly. Without properly functioning equipment, your business could suffer significant losses.

d) Criminal Activity

Criminal activity can unfortunately occur in any type of business, including restaurants. In order to protect your restaurant and your employees, it is important to invest in security systems and other measures that can help deter criminal activity.

Types of Insurance for Restaurants in Florida

1) Property Insurance

Property insurance will cover your restaurant’s physical assets, such as buildings and equipment if they are damaged or destroyed by a covered event such as fire, theft, or vandalism. It can also help cover the cost of necessary repairs and replacements.

2) Liability Insurance

Liability insurance will provide coverage for legal liability in case your restaurant is sued due to property damage or injury caused by your negligence. This type of insurance will protect your business from expensive legal fees, court costs, and judgments. It can also help cover medical expenses for injured parties.

3) Liquor Liability Insurance

If your restaurant serves alcohol, you may want to consider liquor liability insurance. This type of coverage will protect your business from claims arising out of the sale or service of alcoholic beverages.

4) Food Contamination Insurance

If you offer catering or delivery services, it’s important to have food contamination coverage in place. This type of insurance will help protect your business from losses due to contaminated food that results in customer illness or injury.

5) Worker's Compensation Insurance

Hotels and restaurants in Florida are required to carry worker's compensation insurance. This type of coverage will provide financial protection for workers if they experience an injury or illness while on the job. Worker's compensation insurance will cover medical expenses and lost wages due to missed work.

6) Business Interruption Insurance

Business interruption insurance will help protect your restaurant’s income if a covered event such as a hurricane, flood, or fire causes it to close for an extended period of time. This type of coverage can provide financial assistance during the rebuilding process and can help you keep your business afloat.

7) Cyber Liability Insurance

Cyber liability insurance is becoming increasingly important for restaurants, especially those that accept online orders or payments. This type of coverage will help protect your business from financial losses due to data breaches, cyber-attacks, and other similar incidents.

8) Vehicle Insurance

If your restaurant uses vehicles for catering or delivery, you should invest in vehicle insurance. This type of coverage will provide protection from losses due to accidents, theft, vandalism, and other similar events.

9) Employee Practices Liability Insurance

Employee practices liability insurance will provide coverage for lawsuits filed by employees due to discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other employment-related issues. This type of insurance can help protect your business from costly legal fees and judgments.

10) Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, will help protect your business from lawsuits arising out of negligence or failure to provide adequate services. This type of coverage can be especially important for restaurants that offer catering or event planning services.

11) Crime Insurance

Crime insurance provides protection from losses due to theft, burglary, robbery, fraud and other criminal activities. This type of coverage can help your restaurant recover from any losses incurred due to criminal activity.

12) Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance provides additional liability protection beyond what is provided by other types of insurance. This type of coverage will provide added financial security in the event of a major claim or lawsuit and can help protect your business from financial ruin.

13) Product Liability Insurance

If your restaurant sells food-related products, such as sauces or spices, it’s important to have product liability coverage in place. This type of insurance will provide protection from losses due to a defective product that results in injury or illness to a customer.

14) Builder’s Risk Insurance

If you are renovating or expanding your restaurant, builder’s risk insurance can help protect your business from financial losses due to damage to the building during construction. This type of coverage will provide protection from losses resulting from fire, wind, hail and other similar events.

15) Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability Insurance

Hired and non-owned auto liability insurance provides protection from losses due to accidents involving vehicles that are leased, rented, or borrowed by your business. This type of coverage can help protect your restaurant from financial losses in the event of an accident.

Finding the Right Restaurant Insurance in Florida

Choosing the right insurance policy is essential for any business—especially for restaurants. Whether you are just opening a new restaurant or managing an established business, it’s important to make sure that all of your insurance needs are met. Here are some tips for finding the right restaurant insurance in Florida:

Research different types of coverage and compare policies. Make sure that you have a clear understanding of your restaurant’s risk profile and what types of coverage are available.
Get quotes from several providers and compare them side by side. Make sure to read over each policy carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand something.
Look for discounts, such as those offered to restaurants that use safety measures or preventative maintenance programs.
Ask your business associates and colleagues which insurance companies they are using, as well as any advice or tips they can provide.
Meet with a qualified insurance agent who can help you find the best policy for your restaurant.

Most importantly, make sure you are getting the coverage that’s right for your restaurant. An experienced insurance agent can help you find the best policy for your business and provide valuable advice on how to protect it from potential risks.

How Much Does Florida Restaurant Insurance Cost?

The exact cost of restaurant insurance in Florida will depend on a variety of factors, including your business type and size, the types of coverage you need, and any additional risk management services you have. Generally speaking, however, most restaurants can expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 per year for their restaurant insurance.

One of the best ways to save money on restaurant insurance is to take advantage of discounts and incentives. Many insurance providers offer discounted rates if you have certain types of safety measures in place, such as fire extinguishers or burglar alarms, so make sure to ask your provider about any available discounts. Additionally, some companies may also offer incentives for businesses that practice preventative maintenance or use safety equipment such as fire extinguishers.

How Do I Claim Restaurant Insurance in Florida?

If you need to make a claim for your restaurant insurance in Florida, the first step is to contact your provider and notify them of the damage or incident. Your provider will then provide instructions on how to proceed with the claims process. In most cases, you’ll need to provide documentation such as receipts or photographs of the damage. The claims process may take some time, so it’s important to be patient and follow your provider’s instructions closely.

Once your claim is approved, you will receive a check for the specified amount of coverage, minus any applicable deductibles or fees. Make sure to keep all documents related to the incident and claim in case of any future questions or disputes.

Compare Restaurant Insurance Quotes in Florida

Bellken Insurance Group can help you find the right restaurant insurance in Florida. We work with a variety of providers to get you the best rates and coverage for your business. To get started, simply fill out our online form or give us a call at 954-233-0733 and one of our experienced agents will be happy to assist you.