About Restaurant Insurance Guide

My Story

I opened my first restaurant in 2009 — a 40-seat Italian place in Austin, Texas. Within the first month, I realized that figuring out insurance was going to be one of the hardest parts of running a restaurant. Not the cooking, not the customers, not even the 14-hour days. It was the insurance.

Every agent I talked to gave me different advice. Every state had different rules. And the costs? They varied wildly depending on who you asked and where you looked. I spent weeks researching, calling agents, comparing quotes, and trying to decode insurance policies written in language no restaurant owner should have to understand.

Over the next 15 years, I went on to open restaurants in four different states — each time going through the same frustrating process of figuring out that state's specific requirements, costs, and best providers. I ran a food truck in Austin, a gastropub in Chicago, a seafood spot in Charleston, and a fast-casual concept in Denver.

Each time, I wished there was one comprehensive resource that just laid it all out: what insurance do I need in this state, how much will it cost, and who should I buy it from?

That resource didn't exist. So I built it.

What This Guide Covers

Restaurant Insurance Guide provides detailed, state-by-state information on:

• Insurance costs — real, researched cost ranges for general liability, workers' comp, property, liquor liability, and business interruption in every state
• State requirements — what's legally required vs. recommended in each state, including workers' comp thresholds and monopolistic state rules
• Risk factors — state-specific risks that affect your premiums, from hurricanes in Florida to earthquakes in California to tornadoes in Kansas
• Provider comparisons — honest assessments of the top insurance companies serving restaurants, with links to get quotes
• Food truck coverage — dedicated guides for the unique insurance needs of food truck operators in every state

Our Editorial Standards

Every page on this site is written with the same standards I'd want if I were researching insurance for a new restaurant:

• Accuracy: We research current state regulations, insurance market data, and real premium ranges. We update our guides regularly as laws and market conditions change.
• Transparency: Some links on this site are affiliate links — we earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This revenue supports the research and maintenance of this guide. We clearly disclose all affiliate relationships.
• No bias: Our provider recommendations are based on coverage options, pricing, customer service, and suitability for restaurants — not on which company pays the highest commission.
• Real experience: Every recommendation is informed by my 15+ years of actually buying and using restaurant insurance in multiple states.

Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only. I'm a restaurant owner sharing my experience — not a licensed insurance agent or attorney. Insurance regulations change, and your specific situation may require different coverage than what's described here. Always consult with a licensed insurance professional before making coverage decisions for your restaurant.