Restaurant insurance guide
Restaurant insurance application checklist
Having this information ready speeds up quoting and makes quotes more accurate.
Operations
- Type of restaurant and cuisine
- Seating capacity and hours
- Annual gross sales and share from alcohol
- Delivery, catering, or events
- Entertainment or dancing
Kitchen and building
- Cooking equipment and methods, including fryers and solid fuel
- Hood suppression system and last inspection date
- Building construction, year built, and sprinklers
- Lease insurance requirements
People and history
- Number of employees and payroll by role
- Owner experience in restaurants
- Loss runs for the past three to five years
- Current policies and renewal dates
Frequently asked questions
What if I'm opening a new restaurant?
Insurers will rely on projected sales and payroll and your management experience. Have a business plan and lease ready.
Do I need loss runs?
If you have had prior coverage, insurers usually ask for three to five years of loss runs from your current insurer.
How long does quoting take?
Simple restaurants can be quoted quickly; bars, late-night operations, and multi-location groups take longer.
More coverage and guides
- General liability for restaurants
- Liquor liability insurance
- Commercial property for restaurants
- Workers' compensation for restaurants
- Business owners policy for restaurants
- Commercial auto and delivery coverage
- Catering insurance
- Food truck insurance
- Liquor liability laws by state
- What affects restaurant insurance cost
- Restaurant risk management checklist
- Food spoilage and equipment breakdown
- Restaurant insurance application checklist
Last updated October 15, 2026 · How we research