Do You Serve Alcohol? What Every Restaurant Should Know About Liquor Liability

Quick Insurance
May 28
2 min read

Serving Port Jervis and Newburgh, NY

If your restaurant, bar, or catering service serves alcohol, you may already know that liquor comes with more than just a markup—it comes with serious legal responsibility.

Without proper liquor liability coverage, one incident could put your entire business at risk.

What Is Liquor Liability Insurance?

Liquor liability insurance protects your business if you're held legally responsible for someone’s actions after being served alcohol at your establishment. This could include property damage, personal injury, or accidents caused by an intoxicated customer.

In New York, liquor liability isn’t automatically included in general business insurance policies—and if you serve alcohol in any capacity, it’s a coverage you can’t afford to overlook.

Real Risks Restaurants Face

A customer gets into a car accident after leaving your bar.
A fight breaks out between patrons after last call.
An intoxicated guest causes damage to nearby property.

Even if you did everything by the book, you could still be named in a lawsuit—and without liquor liability insurance, you’d be footing the legal bill and potential damages.

What Liquor Liability Covers

Legal defense costs
Settlements or court judgments
Property damage or bodily injury caused by an intoxicated patron
Coverage for employees serving alcohol

Do You Need It?

If you:

Serve, sell, or furnish alcohol
Host private events with alcohol
Offer BYOB or provide alcohol at no cost

...then yes—you need liquor liability insurance. That includes full-service restaurants, bars, breweries, caterers, and even small venues.

What to Look For in a Policy

Sufficient coverage limits for your exposure
Options for assault and battery coverage (common exclusions)
A reputable carrier with restaurant-specific experience
Help navigating NY State Liquor Authority compliance

Let Quick Insurance Help You Serve with Confidence

As independent brokers, Quick Insurance finds the right liquor liability policy for your specific business—whether you’re running a cozy wine bar or a fast-paced catering operation. We serve Port Jervis, Newburgh, and all of Orange County with tailored solutions and experienced guidance.