Restaurants Insurance
Protect your restaurant from customer injury claims, food safety incidents and property damage with cover designed for the hospitality sector.
Get in touchWhat is restaurants insurance?
Restaurants insurance is a specialist policy that protects restaurants 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 restaurant 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 restaurant business faces.
Public Liability
Covers claims from diners and visitors for injury or property damage at your restaurant.
Employers Liability
Required by law if you employ anyone, covering employee injury or illness claims.
Buildings and Contents
Covers your restaurant premises, kitchen equipment, furniture and fixtures.
Products Liability
Covers claims arising from food you prepare and serve to customers.
Who needs restaurants insurance?
Independent restaurants
Operating a single restaurant with a full kitchen
Restaurant chains
Running multiple restaurant locations
Fine dining establishments
Serving high-end cuisine in premium settings
Fast casual restaurants
Offering counter-service dining with fresh-prepared food
Pop-up restaurants
Operating temporary restaurant ventures at different locations
Licensing and regulatory requirements for restaurants
Restaurants require a Premises Licence from the local authority before serving food and alcohol. The licence includes conditions requiring proof of public liability insurance. Environmental Health registration and Food Hygiene Rating from your local Food Standards Authority are also mandatory. Restaurants must comply with food safety regulations (Food Safety Act 1990 and Food Standards Agency requirements), including allergen labelling, food handling practices, and temperature controls.
Health and safety legislation requires all restaurants to conduct risk assessments and maintain safe working conditions in the kitchen and dining areas. Public liability insurance is a standard condition of premises licenses and is routinely requested by landlords. Most policies cover food poisoning claims and allergen incidents, though this must be confirmed with your insurer.
Alcohol service is heavily regulated under the Licensing Act 2003. Premises serving alcohol must have a designated Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and must comply with strict trading hours and customer conduct rules. Your insurer must be informed of all licensed activities, as alcohol service affects your premium and the scope of cover.
Employers liability insurance is legally required if you employ anyone, including kitchen staff and front-of-house workers. Most restaurants employ multiple staff and must hold a minimum of £5m cover. Food preparation areas are subject to additional health and safety requirements, including temperature controls and segregation of raw and cooked foods.
How much does restaurants insurance cost?
£350 – £800 per year for a small independent restaurant; larger establishments with full kitchens may pay £900 – £1,500
Real claims: what restaurants insurance covers
A customer at a restaurant suffered a severe allergic reaction after eating a meal containing peanuts, despite the menu stating the dish was peanut-free. The customer was hospitalised and required emergency treatment.
Products liability covered the customer's hospital treatment costs, medication, follow-up medical appointments, and compensation for pain and suffering, including lost earnings during recovery.
£28,500 total — £18,000 hospital and medical costs, £7,500 compensation for injury and lost income, £3,000 legal representation and settlement negotiation
A member of the restaurant's kitchen staff slipped on a wet floor and fractured their ankle, requiring surgery, physiotherapy, and six weeks off work during recovery.
Employers liability covered the employee's full compensation for the injury, surgical costs, physiotherapy, lost wages during recovery, and statutory sick pay obligations.
£34,000 total — £22,000 compensation and lost wages, £9,000 surgical and physiotherapy costs, £3,000 legal and administrative fees
A customer spilled hot soup on themselves while reaching across a table, suffering second-degree burns to their arm and hand. They required specialist burn treatment and grafting.
Public liability covered the customer's hospital treatment, specialist burn clinic appointments, dressing changes, cosmetic scar revision, and compensation for pain and suffering.
£21,000 total — £14,000 hospital and burn specialist treatment, £5,000 compensation for injury and scarring, £2,000 legal and claims administration
WHY CECIL
Built differently.
Food safety cover
Restaurants face food poisoning and allergen claims regularly. Cecil finds insurers who cover food-related incidents without restrictive exclusions.
Kitchen equipment protected
Commercial kitchen equipment is expensive to replace. Cecil ensures your policy covers ovens, fridges, extraction systems and other kitchen assets.
Business interruption available
If a fire or flood forces your restaurant to close, business interruption cover replaces your lost income. Cecil includes this where needed.
Competitive hospitality quotes
Get options from specialist insurers to find restaurant insurance from hospitality sector specialists. Relevant cover, fair prices, no generic commercial policies.
Common questions about restaurants insurance
Do restaurants need public liability insurance?
Public liability is essential for restaurants. Customers can slip on wet floors, be burned by hot dishes, or suffer allergic reactions. The potential cost of claims makes it a practical necessity.
Does restaurant insurance cover food poisoning claims?
Yes, products liability covers claims arising from food you prepare and serve that causes illness. Public liability also covers related incidents on your premises.
Do restaurants need buildings insurance?
If you own your restaurant premises, buildings insurance is essential. If you lease, your landlord may insure the building, but you will need contents cover for your fit-out and equipment.
What level of public liability do restaurants need?
Most restaurants carry between £2m and £5m of public liability cover. Landlords and licensing authorities may specify minimum levels.
Does restaurant insurance cover alcohol service?
Yes, but your insurer needs to know you serve alcohol. Liquor liability risks are factored into your premium.
What level of public liability insurance do restaurants typically need?
Most restaurants carry between £2m and £5m of public liability cover. Landlords often specify minimum cover in lease agreements, and licensing authorities expect substantial protection. Higher-turnover restaurants with larger dining areas typically require £5m to cover the potential scale of claims.
Does restaurant insurance cover food poisoning claims?
Yes, products liability covers claims if food you prepare causes food poisoning or allergic reactions. The policy typically covers the customer's medical costs, compensation, and your legal defence. However, ensure your policy explicitly covers allergen claims, as some exclude them.
Are restaurants required to have employers liability insurance?
Yes, it is a legal requirement if you employ any staff, including part-time kitchen workers and waiting staff. You must display a certificate of employers liability insurance at your premises and provide proof to your local authority.
Does restaurant insurance cover alcohol-related incidents?
Your insurer must be made aware of all alcohol service, as it affects your premium and the scope of cover. Products liability covers claims arising from food and drinks you serve. Some insurers may exclude or limit cover for claims related to customer intoxication.
What happens if Environmental Health issues a food hygiene notice against my restaurant?
If a food hygiene notice is issued, your insurance does not cover fines or enforcement action, but professional indemnity insurance can help cover costs of remedial work and lost income. Immediately notify your insurer and take steps to remedy the issues within the specified timeframe.
Interested in Restaurants insurance?
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