Liquor Liability Insurance in New Hampshire

Also providing liquor liability insurance to residents in Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, & Vermont.

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What is liquor liability insurance?

Businesses that sell alcohol in New Hampshire face potential financial liability for incidents involving their intoxicated patrons. Liquor liability insurance is a means by which these businesses can safeguard themselves against various covered lawsuits that could arise from such incidents. 

Liquor liability insurance provides tailored coverage for businesses selling adult beverages. As a liability coverage, it usually helps with legal fees and settlements when there’s a covered claim.

Which New Hampshire businesses should have liquor liability coverage?

Most New Hampshire businesses selling adult beverages should have liquor liability coverage. Without the coverage, a business would likely be unprotected against alcohol-related claims. Such claims can be expensive if legal costs are substantial, not to mention any potential settlement amount.

Do brewery and winery staff need to have their own liquor liability policy?

Employees of breweries, wineries and distilleries that serve beverages in a tasting room should make sure they’re insured against being personally sued. Purchasing their own liquor liability coverage usually isn’t needed, however.

When an employer has a liquor liability policy, its employees are normally covered under the policy. There’s likely little need for an employee to purchase their own coverage, provided that the employers is sufficient.

In the unlikely situation that an employer doesn’t have sufficient liquor liability coverage, whether they have none or only a minimal amount, an employee might consider purchasing their own policy. This is uncommon but possible.

Any employees who are concerned about their personal liability risk exposure should speak with an insurance agent who specializes in this type of insurance. A knowledgeable agent will be able to help check an employer’s policy and discuss any individual risk exposure that an employee is concerned about.

What incidents are covered by liquor liability coverage?

The specific incidents covered by a liquor liability policy depend on the policy’s terms, conditions, and exclusions. Therefore, it’s advisable for businesses to review any potential policy with an experienced insurance agent to understand the exact protections offered. Typically, many liquor liability policies cover incidents such as:

• Physical altercations involving one or more intoxicated patrons
• Sexual harassment claims involving one or more intoxicated patrons
• Slip-and-fall accidents leading to injuries of an intoxicated patron
• Drunk driving accidents caused by an intoxicated patron

Some policies might extend coverage to claims filed by bystanders who experience emotional trauma or other mal effects as a result of witnessing an incident. For example, claims filed by customers who see a physical fight or are threatened could be covered by select policies.

While a policy might provide coverage for these incidents, it normally doesn’t absolve the intoxicated individual from any legal or financial consequence. The policy generally offers the business financial assistance for covered expenses resulting from the incident.

Is checking patrons’ IDs necessary for businesses with liquor liability policies?

Holding a liquor liability policy doesn’t negate a business’s obligation to prevent underage alcohol sales. Many policies exclude incidents involving any underage patrons from their terms. 

Therefore, businesses should ensure they check patrons’ IDs, irrespective of whether they have a liquor liability policy.

How much are premiums for liquor liability policies?

Liquor liability policies vary in cost, as they’re based on many different factors. The easiest way to find out how much coverage will cost in a specific situation, businesses can compare custom quotes with an independent insurance agent. Independent agents are able to compare quotes from multiple insurers since the agents aren’t connected to any one company.

How can New Hampshire businesses acquire liquor liability insurance?

If you need assistance with getting liquor liability insurance for a New Hampshire business, contact the independent insurance agents at Insurance24. Our agents will help you assess your business’s risk exposure, and then find a liquor liability policy that’ll protect your business well. Of course, we can assist with any other insurance needs that your business has too.