Pubs and Bars Insurance
Protect your pub or bar from customer injury claims, alcohol-related incidents and property damage with specialist hospitality cover.
Get in touchWhat is pubs and bars insurance?
Pubs and Bars insurance is a specialist policy that protects pubs and bars from the risks of serving customers, managing premises and employing staff. It typically includes public liability, employers liability and buildings and contents cover.
Running a pubs and bar business involves risks from food safety and customer injuries to property damage and staff claims. The right insurance means a single incident will not shut your doors.
Find insurers who understand the hospitality and food sector, so your cover reflects the specific risks your pubs and bar business faces.
Public Liability
Covers claims from customers and visitors for injury or property damage at your pub.
Employers Liability
Required by law if you employ anyone, covering employee injury or illness claims.
Buildings and Contents
Covers your pub premises, bar equipment, furniture, stock and cellar.
Products Liability
Covers claims arising from food and drinks you serve.
Who needs pubs and bars insurance?
Traditional pubs
Operating a community or village pub
Craft beer bars
Specialising in craft beers and ales
Wine bars
Offering an extensive wine selection and food menu
Sports bars
Showing live sport and serving food and drinks
Gastropubs
Combining high-quality food with a pub atmosphere
Licensing and regulatory requirements for pubs and bars
Pubs and bars require a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003, which sets conditions on trading hours, alcohol sales, customer conduct, and management responsibilities. A Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) must be appointed and named on the licence. The licence is issued by the local authority and requires proof of public liability insurance as a standard condition. Breaching licence conditions can result in fines, suspension, or revocation.
Health and safety legislation applies to all pubs, including food preparation areas, cellar operations, and customer areas. You must conduct regular risk assessments and implement safety procedures. If you serve food, you must also comply with food hygiene regulations and hold Environmental Health registration. Products liability insurance is essential if you serve food or prepared snacks.
Alcohol service is heavily regulated under the Licensing Act 2003. You must refuse service to intoxicated individuals, prevent underage sales, and comply with strict opening hours. Your insurer must be fully informed of all alcohol sales and the type of venue (e.g., sports bar, gastropub, nightclub). Liquor liability risks are significant and directly affect your premium.
Employers liability insurance is legally required if you employ staff, including bar staff, kitchen workers, and cleaners. Cellar operations, glassware handling, and customer intoxication create additional risks. Most pub policies include clauses around alcohol-fuelled incidents, so ensure your cover addresses the specific risks your venue faces.
How much does pubs and bars insurance cost?
£400 – £900 per year for a small village pub; larger city-centre venues with multiple bars may pay £1,000 – £1,800
Real claims: what pubs and bars insurance covers
A customer became severely intoxicated at a pub and was allowed to leave despite staff concern. They subsequently fell down stairs outside the venue, causing a spinal injury that resulted in partial paralysis.
Public liability covered the customer's emergency treatment, hospital admission, surgery, rehabilitation, ongoing physiotherapy, and substantial compensation for permanent disability.
£92,000 total — £65,000 hospital, surgery and rehabilitation, £22,000 compensation for permanent disability, £5,000 legal representation and settlement
A pub employee was injured while moving casks of beer from the cellar to the bar, trapping their leg and causing a compound fracture.
Employers liability covered the employee's emergency surgery, hospital stay, physiotherapy, lost wages during six-month recovery, and compensation for pain and suffering.
£48,600 total — £32,000 surgery, hospital and rehabilitation, £12,000 lost wages and compensation, £4,600 legal and administrative costs
A customer cut their hand on a broken glass in a pub's toilet area. The wound became infected and required hospital antibiotics and specialist wound care.
Public liability covered the customer's hospital treatment, antibiotics, specialist dressing, infection management, and compensation for pain and suffering.
£7,900 total — £4,200 hospital and specialist treatment, £2,500 compensation for injury and infection-related pain, £1,200 legal and claims handling
WHY CECIL
Built differently.
Alcohol service risks covered
Pubs face specific risks from alcohol service, including customer intoxication and related injuries. Cecil finds insurers experienced in covering licensed premises.
Cellar and stock protected
Your cellar stock, bar equipment and furniture represent significant value. Cecil ensures your contents cover reflects the full replacement cost.
Business interruption for pubs
If your pub is forced to close due to an insured event, business interruption replaces your lost income. Cecil can include this in your policy.
Competitive quotes from pub insurers
Get options from specialist insurers to find pub insurance from hospitality sector specialists who understand the unique risks of operating licensed premises.
Common questions about pubs and bars insurance
Do pubs need public liability insurance?
Yes, public liability is essential for pubs and bars. Customer injuries, alcohol-related incidents and property damage claims are all real risks for licensed premises.
Does pub insurance cover customer alcohol-related injuries?
Yes, public liability covers injuries to customers on your premises, including those related to alcohol consumption.
Do pubs need buildings insurance?
If you own the premises, buildings insurance is essential. Leaseholders need contents cover for their fit-out, equipment and stock.
What level of public liability do pubs need?
Most pubs carry between £2m and £5m of public liability cover. Brewery and landlord agreements may specify minimum levels.
Does pub insurance cover live entertainment?
Yes, but your insurer needs to know about live music, DJ nights or other entertainment. Additional terms or premiums may apply.
What level of public liability insurance do pubs need?
Most pubs carry between £2m and £10m of cover. Licensing authorities and landlords often require substantial protection due to the risks associated with alcohol service and large customer volumes. City-centre venues with late-night trading typically require £5m–£10m.
Is a Designated Premises Supervisor required to have their own insurance?
The DPS is an individual named on your Premises Licence who holds responsibility for compliance with licensing conditions. Your pub's public liability and employers liability policies cover the pub's operations, but the DPS personally holds legal responsibility for breaches.
Does pub insurance cover alcohol-related injuries?
Public liability covers claims arising from incidents at your premises. However, if you knowingly serve an intoxicated customer who then injures themselves or others, your insurer may challenge the claim on the grounds that you breached a duty of care. Always refuse service to intoxicated individuals.
Are pubs required to have employers liability insurance?
Yes, it is a legal requirement if you employ bar staff, kitchen workers, or cleaners. You must display the certificate at your premises and provide proof to your local authority.
Does pub insurance cover cellar operations and cask handling?
Employers liability covers claims arising from cellar injuries, such as muscle strains or crushing injuries from moving casks. Ensure your insurer knows about cellar operations and heavy handling work, as some policies may require additional risk assessments.
Interested in Pubs and Bars insurance?
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