Hospitality Insurance Guide
Hospitality Insurance Guide — guidance and information from Ipswich Insurance Brokers, a Steadfast and CBN member broker.
What is hospitality insurance?
Hospitality insurance is a business insurance program designed for food and beverage venues — restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, function centres and takeaway businesses. It typically combines commercial property, public and products liability (including liquor liability where relevant), business interruption, glass, money and commercial motor.
What this cover may include
Cover availability and terms vary between insurers and depend on individual circumstances. Subject to acceptance, a policy may include:
- Commercial property — building (if owned), contents, equipment and stock
- Public and products liability — third-party injury, property damage and products claims
- Liquor liability (where applicable) — for licensed premises
- Business interruption — lost income following insured damage
- Glass — shopfronts and internal fixtures
Common exclusions to be aware of
The following are commonly excluded under standard policy wordings. Specific exclusions vary between insurers — always review the Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing.
- Food safety liability (public health actions — conditions and specialist cover may apply)
- Workers compensation (separate statutory product)
- Professional advice claims
- Intentional damage or assault by staff
- Revenue loss from trading conditions unrelated to insured physical damage
How to arrange hospitality insurance through Ipswich Insurance Brokers
- Submit a quote request or contact us directly to discuss your requirements
- We collect relevant information and approach appropriate markets
- We compare policy terms and conditions across insurers and present options
- We arrange binding and issue documentation once you confirm instructions
As a Steadfast and CBN member broker, Ipswich Insurance Brokers has access to a broad panel of approved insurers. We act on your behalf — not on behalf of any insurer. Our remuneration is disclosed in our Financial Services Guide.
General guidance — not personal advice
The information on this page is general guidance only. It does not constitute personal advice and does not take into account your individual circumstances. Before arranging any insurance, you should consider your specific needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. Our Disclaimer applies to all content on this site.
Frequently asked questions
Does hospitality insurance cover liquor liability?
Liquor liability — claims arising from the service of alcohol — is a specific consideration for licensed venues. Some hospitality policies include liquor liability within the public liability section; others treat it as a separate item or exclude it. Dram shop liability (serving alcohol to an intoxicated person who then causes harm) is a significant exposure for bars and clubs. We confirm liquor liability inclusion during placement.
What about food safety and contamination claims?
Claims arising from food contamination or food safety incidents are typically addressed under public liability (third-party claims) and may also involve business interruption (forced closure during investigation). Specialist product contamination cover is available for food businesses with higher exposure. We discuss this during placement based on your operation type.
Is business interruption important for hospitality businesses?
Very much so. A hospitality business that cannot trade due to fire, storm damage or equipment failure has limited ability to recover revenue. Business interruption insurance, linked to the property section, covers lost gross profit during the indemnity period. The indemnity period should realistically reflect how long a rebuild and re-establishment would take.
What to look for when comparing hospitality insurance policies
When reviewing options, the following points are worth considering. This is general guidance — the right approach depends on your specific situation.
Review the liquor liability position for licensed venues. Confirm that business interruption cover and the indemnity period are appropriate for the size and type of operation. Check glass cover — shopfronts and internal glass in hospitality venues are frequently damaged. Review the money cover — cash handling in hospitality creates specific exposure. Confirm that all trading activities are declared, including any outdoor areas, events or functions held on or off-site.
For more detailed information, see our Hospitality Insurance page.
About Ipswich Insurance Brokers
Ipswich Insurance Brokers is a Steadfast and CBN member broker operating under an Australian Financial Services Licence. We act on your behalf — not on behalf of any insurer. We compare options across a broad panel of approved insurers, arrange cover, provide documentation and support claims. We are remunerated by commission from the insurer, disclosed in our Financial Services Guide. All information on this page is general guidance only — see our Disclaimer.
Hospitality businesses can face claims from multiple directions — a guest injury, a food incident, a fire that closes the venue. A well-structured hospitality insurance program addresses all of these exposures in a coordinated way. We work with insurers who have genuine appetite for hospitality risks across restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs and function centres. Contact us via quote request to discuss your operation.