Washington Liquor Liability Insurance
Do you need Liquor Liability Insurance?
Serving alcohol at a special event or owning a business that serves alcohol always involves an element of risk. Liquor liability insurance protects your company against loss or damages claimed as the result of a patron of your business becoming intoxicated and injuring themselves or others. If your business manufactures, sells, serves, or facilitates the use or purchase of alcohol, then you need Washington liquor liability insurance coverage.
WA Liquor Liability 101
There has always been a great deal of confusion about the need for liquor liability - even among insurance professionals. Liquor liability laws vary greatly by state. AAG can insure your establishment in Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, as well as Washington Insurance policy coverage and limits options are often confusing. Here is some basic information on the subject:
- “Dram Shop” Laws: - These laws hold alcoholic beverage servers financially accountable for harm that visibly intoxicated individuals cause to other people, themselves, or property. That's why people get "cut off." These laws are established at the local state level, and they can apply to not only to bars, liquor stores and restaurants, but also to social clubs and private events where liquor is served. Dram shop laws also include selling liquor without a license, selling liquor after hours, and selling liquor to minors.
- Liquor Legal Liability: provides coverage for bodily injury or property damage for which you may become legally liable as the result of contributing to a person's intoxication. This coverage is provided by a separate policy and will only cover establishments 'in the business of' manufacturing, selling, distributing, or serving alcoholic beverages for a charge. This exposure is not covered under a general liability policy.
- Host Liquor Liability Insurance Policies: cover special events for businesses that elect to serve alcohol to their employees, prospects, and customers. This type of liability insurance is also needed by people and businesses serving or providing alcoholic beverages to customers, guests, or employees.
Liquor liability insurance is essential for any restaurant, cafe, night club, or any establishment that sells alcohol. Essentially it protects your business from being sued for loss or damages claimed as a result of a client of your establishment becoming drunk and injuring themselves or others. If your business sells, manufactures, or serves alcohol, then your business might require this coverage.
In general, liquor liability in WA coverage is often sold as a separate policy, or as an add-on to an existing business insurance plan. If you choose not to purchase extra coverage, be warned that your standard liability policy most likely DOES NOT protect your business against these kind of claims.
Need a liquor liability policy? You can always drop in and talk to an AAG WA Liquor Liability Professional today, or call your local Insurance Branch.
Quick Tip -- You might need to purchase additional Assault and Battery Coverage – History dictates that the majority of claims against bars and restaurants are the results of brawls. Your liquor liability policy should include coverage for assault and battery claims. If not, the policy has a much lower real value. You should consider an insurance umbrella policy as well.
How can AAG Insurance help?
Court decisions coupled with new state statutes are holding vendors of alcoholic beverages increasingly responsible for damages under liquor liability laws. Nevertheless, liquor liability insurance continues to be a quiet - if not dwindling - market around the country. In fact, more than half the establishments in the United States choose to operate without liquor liability insurance coverage.
AAG Insurance makes your liquor liability insurance process as simple as possible. By filling out a simple free liquor liability quote form, our expert agents will shop the market for you and get the best possible coverage and competitive premiums. We pride ourselves on taking care of our clients and their interests.
Get your quote today!
What are you waiting for? Simply complete the Protection Savings Form for a free, no-obligation liquor liability insurance quote. The sooner we receive your information, the sooner we will get you the best protection for your alcohol-serving situation. So don't delay another minute - complete the form now.