What restaurant owners should know about coverage, pricing factors, and choosing a provider
Running a restaurant means managing risk every single day. Customers move through your dining room, staff handle hot food and sharp equipment, and one small mistake can turn into a costly claim. That’s why restaurant liability insurance is not optional. It’s one of the most important protections a restaurant owner can have.
The right restaurant general liability insurance policy helps cover common risks like customer injuries, property damage, and foodborne illness claims. But not all insurance companies are built with restaurants in mind. Some are better suited to fast food, while others work best for bars, food trucks, or full-service restaurants that sell alcohol.
In this buyer’s guide, I break down the best restaurant liability insurance companies for 2026. These providers were selected based on coverage flexibility, ease of buying, reputation, and how well they meet the real-world needs of restaurant owners.
Here is a quick look at the top restaurant liability insurance providers featured in this guide:
| My rating | Quote process | Instant certificate of insurance (COI) | Financial rating | |
 | 4.38 | Online, by phone, or through the app | ✔ | A+ (Superior) through partner carriers |
| Visit Thimble | ||||
 | 4.13 | Online or over the phone | ✔ | A+ (Excellent) |
| Visit ERGO | Next | ||||
 | 4.13 | Over the phone or through an agent | ✔ | A++ (Superior) |
| Visit The Hartford | ||||
 | 4.0 | Online or over the phone | COIs depend on the carrier | A+ (Excellent) |
| Visit Simply Business | ||||
 | 4.0 | Over the phone, online, text, email, or call center | COIs depend on the carrier | A- (Excellent) to A++ (Superior) |
| Visit Tivly | ||||
 | 3.63 | Online or by calling a licensed agent | ✔ | A (Excellent) |
| Visit Hiscox | ||||
Financial stability: 5/5
Customer satisfaction: 2.5/5
Convenience: 5/5
Policies offered: 5/5
Thimble is a good fit for small restaurants and food businesses that want straightforward restaurant liability insurance without a complicated buying process. It works well for food trucks, pop-ups, caterers, and small dine-in restaurants that need coverage quickly or have operations that change throughout the year.
If you run a newer restaurant with a single location and limited staff, Thimble’s restaurant general liability insurance is usually enough to meet basic landlord and vendor requirements.
What stands out most to me about Thimble is how simple it makes buying restaurant liability insurance. You can get a quote, buy coverage, and access certificates of insurance entirely online, saving busy restaurant owners time.
I also like that Thimble bundles general liability, property coverage, and business interruption into one policy, which simplifies coverage for small restaurants.
Larger restaurants, multi-location operations, or businesses with higher risk exposures like heavy alcohol service or delivery fleets may be better served by a traditional insurer with agent support. Thimble may not be the best fit if you prefer working with an agent or want in-person support.
Thimble’s pricing depends on your restaurant’s size, location, coverage limits, and risk profile, so getting a personalized quote is recommended. For example, general liability insurance through Thimble starts at around $17 per month, with most small business owners paying an average of $42 per month, though prices vary by industry and coverage limits.
Policies can be purchased for short-term periods (by the hour, day, week, or month) or annually, giving restaurant owners flexibility in how they pay for coverage.
Financial stability: 5/5
Customer satisfaction: 1.5/5
Convenience: 5/5
Policies offered: 5/5
ERGO | Next Insurance is a strong fit for restaurant owners who want fast, fully online restaurant liability insurance with minimal friction. It works well for small to mid-sized restaurants that need to get covered quickly and want easy access to documents like certificates of insurance.
If you are comfortable managing your restaurant’s general liability insurance online and value speed over personal guidance, ERGO | Next is a solid option.
What I like most about Next is its streamlined process. You can get a quote, purchase coverage, and download certificates of insurance entirely online, often in just a few minutes.
I also like that Next makes it easy to add additional types of coverage as your restaurant grows, which can be helpful if your needs change over time.
If your restaurant has complex risks, multiple locations, or relies heavily on alcohol sales or delivery fleets, you may want a more traditional insurer with deeper customization and agent support.
Next may also not be the best fit if you prefer working closely with an agent or want in-person guidance when choosing or adjusting coverage.
Pricing is based on your restaurant’s size, location, coverage limits, and overall risk profile. Once those factors are assessed, you can choose from available coverage options to find a plan that fits your budget.
Financial stability: 5/5
Customer satisfaction: 1.5/5
Convenience: 5/5
Policies offered: 5/5
The Hartford is a solid choice for established restaurants that want a traditional insurance experience with agent guidance and a wide range of coverage options. If your restaurant has complex exposures, mixed operations, liquor service, or delivery components, you’ll benefit from a tailored approach that a larger insurer like The Hartford can provide.
I like The Hartford for its broad coverage and customization potential. You can build a restaurant insurance package that combines liability, property, and specialty protections, which is especially useful if your business has unique risks that go beyond simple general liability.
If you value speed and automation or want to buy liability insurance entirely online, you might prefer one of the digital-first providers in this guide. If your restaurant’s insurance needs are simple or less complex, a lighter online option may be more cost-effective.
The Hartford does not publish restaurant-specific rates online, but it notes that general liability insurance for small businesses averages about $68 per month ($810 per year). For broader business insurance packages such as a business owner’s policy, the average cost across customers is about $141 per month ($1,687 per year).
Actual costs will vary based on your restaurant’s size, location, coverage limits, and risk factors, so getting a personalized quote is recommended.
Financial stability: 5/5
Customer satisfaction: 1.5/5
Convenience: 4.5/5
Policies offered: 5/5
Simply Business is a good fit for restaurant owners who want to compare restaurant liability insurance quotes from multiple insurers before making a decision. It works well if you’re not sure which carrier to choose and want to explore different pricing and coverage combinations.
I like Simply Business because it simplifies comparison shopping. Instead of visiting several insurance websites or calling multiple agents, you can review multiple options in one place and narrow down what works best for your restaurant.
If you already know which insurer you want or prefer working directly with an agent from the start, a direct carrier like The Hartford or a digital insurer like ERGO | Next may be a better fit. Simply Business may also be less appealing if you want a single point of contact throughout the entire policy lifecycle.
Simply Business does not publish restaurant-specific rates, but data from small business insurance policies available through its marketplace show that general liability insurance typically costs less than $95 per month, with a median premium of about $41 per month ($492 per year).
Actual pricing depends on your restaurant’s size, location, coverage limits, and risk profile, so getting a personalized quote is recommended.
Add-ons
Financial stability: 4/5
Customer satisfaction: 3/5
Convenience: 4/5
Policies offered: 5/5
Tivly is a good fit for restaurant owners who want help comparing restaurant liability insurance options from established carriers. It works well if you prefer some guidance during the buying process and want access to multiple insurers without contacting each one individually.
This option can be especially helpful for restaurants with more specific coverage needs that may not fit neatly into a one-size-fits-all policy.
What I like about Tivly is the access it provides to a wide network of insurance carriers. Instead of limiting you to a single insurer’s products, Tivly helps match your restaurant with coverage options that better align with your risk profile.
I also like that Tivly offers human support through licensed advisors, which can be useful if you want help understanding coverage differences or policy requirements.
If you want instant online quotes and the ability to bind coverage without speaking to an agent, a digital insurer like ERGO | Next or Thimble may be a better fit.
Tivly may also not be ideal if you prefer seeing firm pricing immediately, since quotes depend on the carriers you are matched with and usually require follow-up.
Restaurant liability insurance can start at around $39 per month for basic general liability coverage. Actual costs vary widely based on factors such as the number of locations you operate, whether or not you own vehicles, the age and type of your property, and whether you serve alcohol.
Pricing is also influenced by how long you have been in business, the types of insurance you choose, and the coverage limits you select. Because restaurant insurance costs depend heavily on individual risk factors and the insurer you work with, getting a personalized quote is the best way to estimate what you will pay.
Add-ons
Financial stability: 4/5
Customer satisfaction: 1.5/5
Convenience: 4/5
Policies offered: 5/5
Hiscox is a solid choice for small restaurants that want a straightforward restaurant general liability insurance policy from a reputable carrier. It works well for independent restaurants that do not have highly complex risk exposures but still want dependable liability coverage.
This option is a good fit if you value simple online quoting and clear coverage options without the need for extensive customization.
I like Hiscox for its small business focus and ease of access. Many of Hiscox’s liability insurance policies can be quoted and purchased entirely online, which is convenient for restaurant owners who want coverage without a long back-and-forth process.
Hiscox also offers access to additional types of coverage, such as commercial property and cyber liability insurance, which can help restaurants build protection beyond basic general liability.
If your restaurant has more complex coverage needs, such as extensive alcohol service, multiple locations, or delivery operations, you may benefit from a provider with more restaurant-specific insurance products.
Hiscox may also not be the best fit if you want highly tailored guidance or ongoing support from an insurance agent throughout the policy lifecycle.
Hiscox does not publish restaurant-specific rates online, but its small business insurance cost information shows that general liability insurance for small businesses can typically cost about $30 per month or less, with other coverages such as business owner’s policies or professional liability starting in a similar range.
Actual pricing depends on your restaurant’s size, location, coverage limits, and risk profile, so getting a personalized quote is recommended.
Add-ons
To identify the best restaurant liability insurance companies for 2026, I evaluated providers based on coverage relevance, pricing transparency, ease of use, and overall value for restaurant owners.
Each insurer or marketplace was reviewed using the following criteria:
Restaurant liability insurance helps protect your business from common third-party claims, but coverage depends on the type of policy you choose and the add-ons you include.
| Coverage type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Customer bodily injury | Claims related to slips, falls, burns, or other injuries that occur on your premises |
| Property damage to others | Damage your business causes to customer property, such as spills, fire-related incidents, or equipment damage |
| Advertising injury | Claims involving defamation, slander, or copyright infringement related to marketing or promotions |
| Commercial property insurance | Protection for kitchen equipment, furniture, signage, and inventory |
| Business interruption insurance | Lost income if your restaurant must temporarily close due to a covered claim |
Optional coverages like liquor liability, umbrella insurance, and employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) are commonly added based on how the restaurant operates.
| Exclusion | What it means |
|---|---|
| Employee injuries or illnesses | Claims involving employees are typically covered by workers’ compensation insurance, not liability insurance |
| Auto-related incidents | Accidents involving deliveries or catering vehicles require commercial auto insurance |
| Alcohol related claims without liquor liability coverage | General liability policies usually exclude alcohol related incidents unless liquor liability is added |
| Intentional acts or illegal activity | Claims resulting from intentional harm or unlawful actions are not covered |
Understanding these exclusions helps you choose the right combination of policies and coverage limits.
Restaurant liability insurance pricing depends on how your business operates and the level of risk involved. While average costs provide a baseline, insurers calculate premiums using several variables.
| Cost factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Restaurant size and revenue | Higher revenue and more customers increase liability exposure |
| Location and foot traffic | Busy or urban locations often carry a higher risk |
| Alcohol service | Serving alcohol usually increases premiums and requires liquor liability coverage |
| Claims history | Past liability claims can raise future insurance costs |
| Coverage limits and deductibles | Higher limits and lower deductibles typically cost more |
Many restaurant owners struggle to decide whether general liability insurance is enough or if a business owner’s policy makes more sense. This side-by-side comparison makes the decision easier.
| If your restaurant needs… | General liability | Business owner’s policy |
|---|---|---|
| Protection from customer injury claims | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coverage for customer property damage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coverage for kitchen equipment and furnishings | ✓ | |
| Protection against income loss during closures | ✓ | |
| Lower upfront insurance cost | ✓ | |
| Bundled coverage for broader protection | ✓ |
Restaurant liability insurance typically costs between $25 and $95 per month for general liability coverage. Policies that bundle property coverage or include add-ons like liquor liability usually cost more. Actual pricing depends on your restaurant’s size, location, revenue, and risk profile.
In most states, restaurant general liability insurance is not legally required. However, landlords, lenders, vendors, and event organizers often require proof of coverage before working with a restaurant.
If your restaurant serves alcohol, liquor liability insurance is often required by state or local regulations and is strongly recommended. General liability insurance usually excludes alcohol related claims unless liquor liability coverage is added.
Yes. Many insurers offer flexible policies for food trucks, pop-ups, and temporary food businesses. Short-term policies or monthly coverage options can work well for these operations.
General liability insurance covers third-party injury and property damage claims. A business owner’s policy bundles general liability with commercial property coverage and often business interruption insurance, usually at a lower combined cost.
Restaurant liability insurance is a fundamental part of protecting your business, but the right provider depends on how your restaurant operates and the level of risk you face.
If you want fast, fully online coverage, providers like ERGO | Next Insurance or Thimble may be a good fit. If you prefer broader coverage options or agent support, The Hartford or a marketplace like Tivly may make more sense. Simply Business can help you compare multiple quotes if you are still weighing your options. Hiscox is a solid option for small restaurants with straightforward liability needs that want simple policies and competitive pricing, especially for general liability coverage.
No matter which provider you choose, the best next step is to request a quote. Comparing real coverage details and pricing is the most reliable way to find restaurant liability insurance that fits your business and budget.
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Rayanne Harmon is a seasoned finance professional with 30 years of experience in banking, finance, and accounting. She specializes in consumer and business banking services, with deep expertise in credit products such as HELOCs, HELOANs, auto loans, and consumer loans. Her background also includes financial risk assessment, credit repair, and treasury management, where she has driven process improvements and client-centric banking solutions.
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