Protecting Your Restaurant or Eatery
Types of Commercial Insurance Coverage for Food Establishments In Goshen, Middletown, Warwick, NY & Beyond
From the kitchen to the front of the house, Restaurants and Eateries have numerous exposures based on the nature of their business. As a result, it’s important that they have the necessary types of commercial insurance coverage in place to ensure that they would be covered correctly should an incident occur, and a claim or lawsuit result. J. Hoffman Insurance provides reliable business insurance policies for dining establishments throughout Goshen, Middletown, Warwick, NY and the surrounding areas. We know the ins and outs of business insurance and can make sure your policy includes all the proper provisions for your restaurant’s unique needs.
Necessary Coverages for Restaurants
Property Insurance covers most physical or tangible assets for a business. This can include food inventory, furnishings, cash registers, point of sale systems, files and things of that nature.
General Liability helps defend the business against negligence claims such as bodily injury, property damage, personal injury and advertising resulting from the products that you sell and the premises that you operate.
A Businessowner’s policy combines various commercial insurance coverages into one comprehensive and convenient policy. Some of the most important coverages that can be included in a BOP are as follows:
- Spoilage covers the loss of perishable items if a restaurant or eatery experiences a power outage, breakdown of equipment, or contamination, and the food inventory goes bad.
- Business Income Coverage reimburses you for the loss of income your restaurant would incur should it be closed for a period due to a covered cause of loss such as a fire, smoke damage, lightning strike or even wind damage. Thus, preventing the business from going insolvent during the time of repairs.
- Business Income/Time Element Coverage provides normal business income coverage specific to power outage if a business cannot open. This coverage can be immediate, but most carriers have a 24-72 hour waiting period before coverage kicks in.
- Employee Dishonesty Coverage (aka, Employee Theft insurance) protects small businesses, such as restaurants and eateries, from employee theft of money.
- Equipment Breakdown is an endorsement that provides reimbursement to repair or replace damaged machinery or equipment that has suffered a mechanical or electrical failure.
- EPLI Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) covers claims made by current, former, and prospective employees, as well as customers and vendors that work with your restaurant or eatery. EPLI protects against claims made by employees or third parties accusing them of a variety of work-related issues.
Other Coverages That May Be Necessary
In addition to the coverage and endorsements listed above, there are other facets of our commercial insurance policies that might be necessary for your restaurant or eatery, based on your establishment’s offerings.
- Workers Compensation is a necessity as soon as you hire an employee, subcontract employees, or use any workers who are under your control. Should an employee become ill or injured on the job or because of their work, Workers Compensation provides medical benefits and can provide lost wages for that employee.
- Statutory Disability Insurance is also a necessity once you hire employees, as it covers them for lost wages due to injuries or illnesses while off the job. In New York, it also provides lost wages due to Paid Family Leave circumstances.
- Liquor Liability Insurance helps cover claims of bodily injury or property damage that an intoxicated person causes after a business has sold, served, or distributed to them.
- Commercial Auto coverage is a must if your restaurant or eatery owns a vehicle that is used to conduct business. This coverage protects your business against bodily injury lawsuits and property damage if you or your employee gets into an accident in a company vehicle. Commercial auto insurance also provides no fault medical coverage for you or your passengers who may get injured in an auto accident. It can also provide comprehensive coverage to protect your commercial auto against damage from things like animals, theft, and fire; collision coverage for damage to your company vehicle that you or your employee have caused, towing and labor, and rental reimbursement coverage.
- Non-Owned Auto Liability covers your liability when the personal vehicle of an employee or temporary staff, whether owned or rented by them, is driven for business. The vehicle must be in-use for business purposes at the time of the accident. So, if you hire drivers to handle delivery for your restaurant, this policy would cover their damages, or the damages they cause, in case of an accident. This type of commercial auto insurance coverage usually goes in excess over the employees’ personal auto limits.
The costs associated with running a restaurant can be hefty – but the cost of your commercial insurance coverage doesn’t have to be.
Call Now for a Customized Business Insurance Quote!
J. Hoffman Insurance represents one of the most competitively priced Restaurant & Eatery programs in not only Goshen, Middletown, and Warwick, but all of New York, and we would love to see how we can put it to work for you. Contact our business insurance agents today at (845) 239-4787 or Jason@jhoffmaninsurance.com.
Running a successful business requires more than strong sales and day-to-day operations. It takes thoughtful planning, risk awareness, and financial discipline. Two of the most important professional relationships a business owner can have are with their insurance advisor and their Certified Public Accountant (CPA). When these two roles work together, the result is stronger protection, smarter financial decisions, and long-term stability. Here are five key ways business insurance and working with a CPA are closely connected—and why aligning the two matters. 1. Risk Management and Financial Planning Business insurance is designed to protect your company from unexpected risks such as lawsuits, property damage, accidents, or liability claims. A CPA, on the other hand, helps you plan financially for both known and unknown risks. Together, they form the foundation of a strong risk management strategy. Insurance transfers risk, while a CPA helps you understand how those risks impact your balance sheet, cash reserves, and overall financial health. When both are aligned, your business is better positioned to withstand disruptions and recover quickly when the unexpected happens. 2. Compliance and Regulatory Requirements Many businesses operate in industries that require specific types of insurance coverage, such as workers’ compensation, professional liability, or commercial auto insurance. Failing to carry the proper coverage can lead to fines, penalties, or even business shutdowns. At the same time, CPAs help ensure compliance with tax laws, payroll regulations, and financial reporting requirements. Insurance and accounting compliance often overlap—especially when it comes to payroll, employee classifications, and industry regulations. Working with both professionals ensures your business remains compliant on all fronts. 3. Tax Deductibility of Insurance Premiums One often overlooked benefit of business insurance is that many premiums may be tax-deductible. Policies such as general liability, professional liability, property insurance, and workers’ compensation are commonly considered legitimate business expenses. A CPA plays a critical role in making sure these premiums are properly categorized and documented, helping maximize allowable deductions while staying within IRS guidelines. When your CPA understands your insurance program, you’re more likely to capture every tax advantage available to your business. 4. Cash Flow and Budgeting Insurance premiums are a recurring expense and can have a meaningful impact on cash flow, especially for growing businesses. A CPA helps forecast expenses, plan for renewals, and ensure insurance costs fit within your broader financial strategy. By coordinating insurance coverage with budgeting and financial projections, businesses can strike the right balance between adequate protection and affordability. This collaboration helps avoid being underinsured—or overspending on coverage that doesn’t align with actual risk exposure. 5. Business Continuity and Succession Planning No business owner likes to think about worst-case scenarios, but planning for them is essential. Insurance products such as business interruption coverage, key person insurance, and buy-sell funding play a major role in keeping a business running during a crisis. CPAs incorporate these protections into long-term financial planning and succession strategies. Whether it’s preparing for the loss of a key employee, an extended shutdown, or an ownership transition, insurance and accounting together help ensure the business can survive and thrive beyond any single event. Bringing It All Together Business insurance and CPA services are not separate silos—they are complementary tools that work best when aligned. Insurance protects what you’ve built, while a CPA helps you grow and sustain it financially. When these professionals collaborate, business owners gain clearer insight, stronger protection, and greater confidence in the future. If you want your business to be resilient, compliant, and financially sound, make sure your insurance strategy and your CPA are working together—not independently. For a review of your business’ insurance coverage, contact Vicki Hoffman, J. Hoffman Insurance, at 845-239-4787 or vicki@jhoffmaninsurance.com . Want to learn more about how working with a CPA can benefit your business? Contact John Pacos, CPA at 845-694-5703 or john@jpacoscpa.com .
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According to a report released by the National Highway Traffic Administration, car crashes and crash-related fatalities have increased substantially across the country over the past two years.