Top Questions We Got From Clients This Year

Why restaurant insurance matters more than ever

Before we jump into specific questions, let’s take a second to talk about why restaurant insurance even matters.

Every single day, restaurants face risk:

Slips and falls
Foodborne illness claims
Kitchen fires
Storm and hurricane damage
Theft and vandalism
Employee injuries
Customer property damage
Contract issues
Delivery accidents

Any one of those things can disrupt operations or even threaten your entire business.

At CIS, we don’t believe insurance is just a box to check. We see it as part of your long-term strategy; something that keeps you in business when the unexpected happens.

Many of our customers come to us with insurance questions when they’re already dealing with a claim, a landlord requirement, or a compliance issue. We always tell them -and now we’ll tell you- it’s much easier, faster, and usually more affordable to prepare before something goes wrong.

If you have insurance questions, you can always start with us right here:https://usa-cis.com/

We built this guide to help you think like an informed business owner, not just an insurance buyer.

Question #1: “What type of insurance does a restaurant actually need?”

This is, hands down, the most common question we hear.

And the truth is: there isn’t just one “restaurant policy.” Instead, coverage is made up of several pieces working together.

Here are the core types we typically recommend.

General Liability Insurance

Think of this as your foundation.

General liability protects your business if someone claims:

Bodily injury
Property damage
Personal or advertising injury

For example:

A customer slips on a wet floor.
A delivery vendor trips over a mat.
Someone claims food poisoning after eating at your restaurant.

Without general liability, even one lawsuit can become overwhelming.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

A Business Owner’s Policy bundles key coverage so owners save money while staying protected. It typically combines:

General liability
Property coverage (building, furniture, kitchen equipment, décor, etc.)
Business interruption (lost income due to covered damage)

We recommend BOPs because they’re efficient, affordable, and designed specifically for small and mid-sized businesses.

Restaurant-Specific Coverages

This is where things get especially important for food businesses.

Depending on your operations, we may also recommend:

Liquor liability coverage
Workers’ compensation
Commercial auto for delivery vehicles
Equipment breakdown coverage
Cyber insurance (for POS systems and customer data)
Umbrella coverage for extra lawsuit protection

When we build Restaurant Insurance in Florida, we look at:

Size of the restaurant
Type of food service
Alcohol sales
Delivery operations
Staffing and payroll
Property ownership or lease requirements
Local regulations
Prior losses or claims

You can learn more about Restaurant Insurance in Florida clicking here:

Our job is simple: understand how you operate and design protection that grows with you.

Question #2: “Why is restaurant insurance in Florida different?”

Florida is beautiful, but it brings unique challenges.

We receive insurance questions every week about why coverage can look different here compared to other states.

Here are a few key reasons.

Weather and natural disasters

Florida businesses face risks that many states don’t:

Hurricanes
Flooding
Windstorms
Power outages
Water damage

Standard property policies may not include flood coverage and some might exclude windstorm unless added. That’s why reviewing policies carefully is critical.

High tourism and foot traffic

More visitors often mean:

Higher accident exposure
More claims
Greater liability concerns

If your restaurant is in a high-tourist area, we look closely at capacity, layout, and safety procedures.

Workers’ compensation rules

Florida has specific rules for businesses regarding when workers’ compensation is required.

We often share official guidance like this resource from the State of Florida.

Understanding state rules helps owners avoid penalties and unplanned costs.

That’s why, if you operate in Florida, it’s so important to work with a team that truly understands Restaurant Insurance in Florida, not just generic business coverage.

Question #3: “How much does restaurant insurance cost?”

This is another question we answer daily.

We wish there were a simple number, but cost depends on several important factors.

Some of the biggest include:

Location
Size of business
Annual sales
Whether you sell alcohol
Number of employees
Claims history
Property value
Type of building
Type of equipment
Safety procedures in place

Here’s an example:

A small café with 6 employees, no alcohol, and limited cooking risk may pay less than a large full-service restaurant with a bar, delivery drivers, and extended operating hours.

We don’t “guess” at premiums. Instead, we walk through your operations, answer your insurance questions, and shop policies across carriers so you get a competitive rate and strong coverage.

Our goal isn’t the cheapest policy, it’s the right policy with the best value.

If you’re curious about the price, we always recommend contacting us, that way, we can review your exact situation instead of giving generic estimates.

Question #4: “What happens if a customer sues my restaurant?”

This is one of the scariest moments for any business owner, and we’ve helped many through it.

Maybe someone fell.
Maybe they claim food poisoning.
Maybe there’s an incident involving alcohol.

Without the proper coverage, you could be responsible for:

Attorney fees
Medical bills
Court costs
Settlements or judgments
Lost income if operations are interrupted

But with proper general liability -and sometimes liquor liability- your policy may:

Pay for legal defense
Pay covered damages
Help protect your assets

We always encourage restaurant owners to document:

Incident reports
Security footage when possible
Cleaning logs
Employee training records
Safety procedures
Temperature logs for food

Those details can make a huge difference in claims handling.

We also advise using trusted government resources to stay updated on safety standards, like the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Being proactive reduces risk and gives your insurance company stronger support if something goes wrong.

Question #5: “Do I need coverage if I rent my space?”

Short answer: Yes.

Many owners think that because the landlord insures the building, they are fully protected.

Here’s what’s usually true:

The landlord’s policy protects the building structure.
It does NOT protect your business property, equipment, or liability.

If there’s a fire, for example:

The landlord may repair the building.
But your furniture, inventory, POS system, signage, décor, and revenue loss may not be covered without your own policy.

Most leases also require tenants to carry general liability and name the landlord as an additional insured.

When clients bring leases to us, we review them carefully and explain anything confusing. We want you to fully understand what’s required, what’s optional, and where gaps might exist.

Question #6: “What about employees… What coverage do I need?”

Employees are the heart of every restaurant. And because they’re constantly moving, carrying heavy items, working around heat and sharp tools, injuries can happen.

Workers’ compensation is typically required once your payroll reaches certain thresholds in Florida.

It can help pay for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Rehabilitation
Benefits required by law

We also talk frequently about employment practices liability (EPLI), which helps with claims related to:

Wrongful termination
Harassment
Discrimination
Wage disputes

Restaurants often have frequent staff turnover, so this protection can be valuable.

Safety training + proper coverage = fewer headaches and healthier teams.

Question #7: “What is a Business Owner’s Policy, and do I really need one?”

We love this question because we believe BOPs offer tremendous value.

A Business Owner’s Policy is designed for small to midsize businesses that need both liability and property protection, but don’t want to piece everything together separately.

A BOP can cover:

Building or tenant improvements
Equipment and machinery
Furniture
POS systems
Inventory
Signs
Liability claims
Loss of income from covered damage

For many restaurant owners, a BOP simplifies everything. Instead of juggling multiple policies with different renewals and terms, you have one streamlined package.

We’ll still customize it, because every restaurant operates differently.

Question #8: “What if I serve alcohol? Am I exposed to more risk?”

Yes, and this is a reality we talk about openly.

Restaurants that serve alcohol face claims that may include:

Fights or altercations
Drunk driving incidents
Property damage caused by intoxicated customers
Injuries that happen after customers leave the restaurant

Liquor liability coverage is essential if alcohol is sold, served, or even allowed on the premises.

Some states and cities also require proof before granting or renewing licenses.

We walk owners through:

Local compliance
Responsible service training
Policy limitations
Risk management tips
Claim scenarios we’ve seen firsthand

Serving alcohol can be profitable, but only when the business is protected properly.

Question #9: “Is flood damage covered automatically?”

This is where we see one of the biggest misunderstandings, especially across Florida.

In most cases:

Flood damage is NOT included in standard commercial property policies.

A flood is usually defined as rising water covering normally dry land from:

Storm surge
Heavy rainfall
Overflowing bodies of water

If your restaurant is in a flood-prone zone, ignoring this risk can be extremely costly.

We explore available flood options and evaluate elevation, maps, and local requirements so owners understand their exposure before disaster strikes.

Question #10: “Can I get help understanding my current policy?”

Absolutely! And honestly, this is one of our favorite parts of the job.

We regularly sit down (or Zoom) with clients who already have insurance but feel unsure about:

What’s covered
What’s excluded
Deductible amounts
Claim procedures
Renewal changes
Required endorsements

Many times, we uncover gaps the owner didn’t know existed,or savings they weren’t receiving.

If you’ve ever looked at your policy and felt confused, overwhelmed, or worried, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why we encourage clients to bring us their insurance questions at: https://usa-cis.com/

We believe transparency builds long-term trust.

Question #11: “How do I file a claim if something happens?”

When something goes wrong, the last thing you want is confusion.

Here’s the basic process we walk clients through.

Make sure everyone is safe first.
Call emergency services if necessary.
Prevent further damage if possible.
Document everything: photos, videos, statements.
Save receipts if you have to make temporary repairs.
Contact us as soon as possible.

We work closely with your carrier, guide you through required documentation, and help you avoid mistakes that could delay or hurt your claim.

You’re not alone and that’s one of the biggest benefits of working with our team.

Question #12: “Can insurance help if I have to close temporarily?”

Yes, when your policy includes business interruption coverage.

Business interruption helps replace lost income when a covered event forces your restaurant to shut down (or operate at reduced capacity).

It can help cover:

Lost revenue
Payroll
Operating expenses
Temporary relocation costs

This coverage can be a lifeline, especially after storms, fires, or major damage.

We review every policy carefully to see whether it includes this protection and how long it applies.

Question #13: “What if I expand, add delivery, or open another location?”

Great news! Growth means your business is moving forward!

But expansion can also change your risk profile.

Any time you:

Add delivery service
Start catering
Open a new location
Add outdoor seating
Add new equipment
Begin selling through apps
Change your concept

We encourage you to reach out.

We adjust policies so they continue protecting everything you’ve worked so hard to build. Growth shouldn’t create unnecessary exposure and we make sure of that.

Question #14: “Can insurance help with cyber threats and data breaches?”

Today’s restaurants run on technology:

POS systems
Online ordering
Loyalty programs
Stored customer information

That makes restaurants targets for cyber attacks.

Cyber liability can help with:

Data breach response
Notification requirements
Legal expenses
Credit monitoring
Ransomware incidents
System recovery

We’ve seen firsthand how disruptive cyber incidents can be. Having protection in place reduces financial damage and stress.

Why our clients trust CIS with their restaurant insurance needs

We’re more than a provider. We’re partners.

When you call us, you’re not shuffled between anonymous customer service reps. You talk to people who know your business, remember your story, and care about your success.

We’re constantly studying regulations, market changes, and industry risk trends so we can answer your insurance questions clearly and honestly. Because stronger knowledge means stronger businesses.

Staying ahead: how we think about protection, growth, and relationships

At CIS, we take a simple philosophy:

Protect today. Prepare for tomorrow. Build relationships for the long run.

We do that by:

Listening first
Asking the right questions
Explaining coverage in plain language
Reviewing policies regularly
Advocating during claims
Offering proactive risk advice
Sharing resources and education

This blog exists because we want to stay in touch, keep you informed, and continue being the insurance partner you trust.

Ready to ask your own questions?

If you’re a restaurant owner, manager, or business owner in Florida, chances are you’ve had some of the same questions our clients ask every day.

And if you’re still wondering about something we didn’t cover, we’d love to talk.

Whether you’re shopping for Restaurant Insurance in Florida, reviewing your policy, or simply want peace of mind, our team is here.

Visit us anytime: https://usa-cis.com/

Let’s protect your restaurant, your team, and the future you’re building together.

If you’d like us to review your current policy or provide a customized quote, reach out we’ll walk you through everything step-by-step.

We’re CIS. We’re here, we’re human, and we truly care about helping you protect what you’ve built.

Whenever you’re ready, start here.