When running a pub, you face a variety of risks that can endanger the viability of your business. Due to the nature of your clientele and manner of operation—long hours, late closing times, crowded premises and drunken customers—a number of risks you’re exposed to are unique to the pub industry.
Purchasing appropriate cover for your pub can help mitigate risk and ensure your safety and also the safety of your employees and customers. Because not all pubs operate the same way or serve the same people, covers can widely vary. Pub insurance should be tailored for each individual business, so make sure you assess the specific risks of your pub and purchase the appropriate covers or extensions. The following are some common covers included in pub insurance.
Liability
As a publican, you are liable for your employees and customers on a daily basis. You should therefore be prepared to offset any damages caused by accidents or acts of negligence. There are three main types of liability cover to consider:
- Public Liability (PI) insures third-party injury, loss and damage resulting from business activities. ‘Third party’ includes any customers or visitors. If a customer were to slip and fall as a result of a messy floor, your pub would be covered with PI. You need to take extra care to ensure your establishment is never over capacity, which increases liability, and ensure that you purchase a suitable amount of liability cover to defend against your specific risks.
- Products Liability (PL) protects against accidental injury or damage resulting from a product sold by the insured. If a customer gets sick from a drink or meal your employee serves, PL cover helps mitigate the financial damages.
- Employers’ Liability (EL) is compulsory in the United Kingdom if a business has an employee other than the owner. EL covers employers in the event of an employee’s work-related injury or disease.
Building and Contents
If you own your business premises or are responsible for the building in the lease, you must ensure that you have adequate building cover. ‘Adequate’ means that the sum insured of your cover is enough to rebuild the building. Otherwise, your insurance cover may not fully account for rebuilding costs and you will have to pay out-of-pocket.
Contents cover can be more complex. Avoid redundant cover by purchasing a policy that mitigates your pub’s specific risks. Contents cover provides protection in a number of areas.
- Equipment Breakdown covers broken machinery/equipment such as point-of-sale computer systems, taps, refrigerators, and ovens or fryers.
- Stock covers beer, wine, spirits, cigars and cigarettes. It can also include damage to stock resulting from storms or product leakage if the stock is stored more than 15 centimetres above the floor.
- Employee Personal Effects covers the theft of employee personal property while working at the pub.
Business Interruption
Although the pub industry is resilient and has been a vital part of the United Kingdom’s culture for centuries, it is still difficult for pubs to resume business after a loss. Even if the loss was insured, without business interruption (BI) cover, publicans can lose hard-earned profits and income they would have gained had the loss not happened. This can cause a pub great hardship or even force it to shut down. BI can cover loss of income and profits in the event that insured damage prevents your pub from operating. It can help you keep your business afloat, even if the pub has to temporarily close.
Loss of Licence
A spirits licence is essential to your business—without it, you cannot legally serve alcohol. For reasons beyond your control, such as a policy or legislation change, you could potentially lose your licence with no back-up plan to keep your business running. Loss of licence (LL) cover can help mitigate this risk by offering a safety net should you lose your licence. LL does not cover a loss due to negligence or unsanitary conditions.
Other Common Covers
Publicans can also opt for the following additional common covers.
- Legal Expenses covers contract and employment disputes, criminal offences, legal actions from third parties, etc.
- Theft by Employees and Third Parties covers employee or third-party theft.
- Glass covers sanitary ware, broken fixed glass, signs and reasonable boarding-up costs.
Common Exclusions
There are several common exclusions, including:
- War and Nuclear Risks
- Terrorism
- E-risks
Again, this is not an exhaustive list. Make sure that you speak to your broker and know exactly what is covered or excluded in your specific policy.
We Are Here to Help
Securing appropriate cover for your pub can be a tough task. You need to assess the individual needs of your business and construct a bespoke policy that protects against your specific risks. That’s why we are here to help you find the right cover for your pub, call us on 01584 700190 or complete our quote form and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.