Bar Insurance in Tennessee

Common risks for bars

• Claims from serving an intoxicated customer
• Fights and assault claims
• Slips and falls in crowded areas
• Damage during live music or events
• Theft and property damage after hours

Coverages bars often consider

• Liquor liability Usually the most important coverage for a bar. Limits and terms vary widely.
• General liability Ask about assault and battery coverage, which some policies exclude.
• Commercial property Covers your building (if you own it), equipment, furniture, and inventory after covered losses like fire or theft.
• Business income Can replace lost income and pay ongoing bills if a covered loss forces you to close for a while.
• Workers’ compensation Pays medical bills and lost wages if an employee is hurt on the job, and includes employer’s liability.
• Crime and employee dishonesty Covers theft of money or property by employees, and in some forms, fraud by outsiders.

Not every business needs every coverage. The right mix depends on your work, your contracts, and your budget. All coverage is subject to underwriting and the terms of the policy.

What a claim could look like

For example, imagine a patron leaves your bar, drives, and causes a crash. The injured driver claims your staff kept serving the patron. A claim like that may fall under liquor liability, depending on the facts and policy terms.

This is a hypothetical example for education only. Whether any claim is covered depends on the facts and your policy terms.

Tennessee rules to know

Alcohol sales. If you sell or serve alcohol, you’ll need the right state and local permits. Landlords, event venues, and some permits may also expect proof of liquor liability coverage, so ask before you sign.

Workers’ comp. Most Tennessee employers outside construction and coal mining must carry workers’ compensation once they have five or more employees, full- or part-time, per the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Even below that number, many owners choose to carry it.

We can review your requirements and help you shop workers’ compensation and the other coverages above with carriers that write bars, subject to underwriting.

Certificates of insurance

Landlords and event promoters commonly require bars to show liquor liability and general liability.

A certificate of insurance shows your coverage on the day it’s issued. If a contract asks for additional insured status or a waiver of subrogation, the policy usually needs an endorsement, not just a line on the certificate. Our certificate of insurance checklist walks through what to check.

What affects the cost

• The type of work you do and how it’s classified
• Annual revenue and payroll
• Number of employees and any subcontractors
• Where you work and the value of your equipment or property
• The limits and deductibles you choose
• Your claims history and years in business

We can’t promise a price ahead of time, but we can compare options and explain the trade-offs in plain English.

How Eric can help bars

Restaurants, trucks, and caterers serving Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Mt. Juliet often need certificates for festivals, venues, and landlords. As an independent agent affiliated with Hutsenpiller Insurance, Eric can review what you have, read your contract requirements with you, and help you shop options with more than one carrier. See how an independent agent works for you.

Related guides

• Food and Beverage Business Insurance in Tennessee
• All business types we can help
• Business insurance in Middle Tennessee
• General liability insurance
• Certificates and additional insureds explained
• Business interruption insurance
• Small business insurance checklist (PDF)
• Certificate of insurance checklist (PDF)