Dram Shop Insurance: Protect Your Business and Customers

If you’re running a business that serves alcohol, you need to be aware of the potential risks involved. Serving alcohol comes with a responsibility to ensure the safety of your customers, as well as protect your business from potential lawsuits. One way to protect both your customers and your business is by having dram shop insurance. In this article, we’ll discuss what dram shop insurance is, why it’s important, and how to get it.

What is Dram Shop Insurance?

Dram shop insurance is a type of liability insurance that protects a business that sells or serves alcohol from potential lawsuits. It’s designed to cover legal fees, settlements, and other costs that may arise if a customer injures themselves or others as a result of being served alcohol by your business.

Typical claims covered by dram shop insurance may include:

Claim Type
Description
Personal Injury
Claims resulting from bodily injuries or death caused by a customer who has been served alcohol by your business
Property Damage
Claims resulting from damage to personal or public property caused by a customer who has been served alcohol by your business
Assault and Battery
Claims resulting from physical altercations in which an intoxicated customer was involved

Every policy is different, so it’s important to understand what your specific policy covers and what it doesn’t.

Why is Dram Shop Insurance Important?

As a business owner, you have a responsibility to ensure that your customers are safe while on your premises. If a customer is injured or causes harm to others, you could be held liable for damages and face a potential lawsuit. If you don’t have adequate insurance coverage, these costs could quickly become unmanageable and even bankrupt your business.

Dram shop insurance not only protects your business from financial ruin, but it also promotes responsible alcohol service. Knowing that you have insurance coverage may encourage you and your employees to monitor customers’ behavior more closely and intervene if necessary. This can help prevent accidents and incidents from occurring in the first place.

How to Get Dram Shop Insurance

The process of getting dram shop insurance is relatively straightforward. You’ll need to contact an insurance agent or broker who specializes in this type of coverage. They’ll ask you a series of questions about your business, including:

  • The type of business you operate
  • The size of your business
  • The number of employees you have
  • The types of alcohol you serve
  • Your current safety policies and procedures

Based on this information, the agent will be able to provide you with a range of insurance options and quotes. It’s important to carefully review each policy and its associated costs to ensure that you’re getting the level of coverage you need.

Dram Shop Insurance FAQ

Q: What types of businesses need dram shop insurance?

A: Any business that sells or serves alcohol, including bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and even some retail stores, may need dram shop insurance.

Q: How much does dram shop insurance cost?

A: The cost of dram shop insurance varies based on a variety of factors, including the size of your business, the types of alcohol you serve, and your location. On average, however, businesses can expect to pay a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year for this type of coverage.

Q: What happens if I don’t have dram shop insurance?

A: If you don’t have dram shop insurance and a customer injures themselves or others as a result of being served alcohol by your business, you could be held liable for damages and face a potential lawsuit. Without adequate insurance coverage, these costs could quickly become unmanageable and even bankrupt your business.

Q: Is dram shop insurance required by law?

A: The laws regarding dram shop insurance vary by state. Some states require businesses that sell or serve alcohol to carry this type of insurance, while others do not. It’s important to check with your state and local laws to determine whether dram shop insurance is required in your area.

Q: What should I look for in a dram shop insurance policy?

A: When choosing a dram shop insurance policy, you should look for coverage that includes bodily injury and property damage liability, as well as assault and battery coverage, if available. You should also look at the policy limits, deductibles, and premiums to ensure that you’re getting the level of coverage you need at a price that’s affordable.

Conclusion

Dram shop insurance is an essential type of coverage for businesses that serve alcohol. It’s designed to protect both your customers and your business from potential lawsuits and financial ruin. By understanding what dram shop insurance is, why it’s important, and how to get it, you can ensure that you have the right level of coverage to protect your business and those you serve.