Restaurant Insurance on Long Island, Nassau and Suffolk

The short answer

Most Long Island restaurants carry a package of property and general liability, often written as a businessowners policy, plus New York workers compensation and disability benefits for employees. If you serve alcohol, liquor liability is a separate coverage to ask about. Many restaurants add an umbrella, equipment breakdown and food spoilage.

Restaurants we work with

Sit-down restaurants and diners
Pizzerias, delis, bagel shops and cafes
Bars and restaurants with a liquor license
Takeout and delivery kitchens
Owners who also own the building the restaurant is in

What the program usually includes

Property. Your equipment, furniture, improvements and stock, and the building if you own it.
General liability. Covered claims for customer injuries and damage, such as a slip in the dining room.
Liquor liability. Claims tied to serving alcohol. New York's dram shop law can hold a seller responsible in some cases. General liability forms often limit or exclude this exposure.
Workers compensation and disability benefits. Required for New York employers, including part-time staff.
Business income. Lost income while a covered loss, such as a kitchen fire, keeps you closed.
Equipment breakdown and food spoilage. A walk-in or other equipment that fails suddenly.
Hired and non-owned auto. Staff using their own cars for deliveries or catering.
Umbrella. Higher liability limits, often asked for by a landlord.

Your lease and your landlord

Most restaurant leases set liability limits and ask you to name the landlord as additional insured. Some ask for plate glass, a waiver of subrogation, or an umbrella. Send the insurance section of your lease with your quote request so the policy and the certificate match what the landlord wants.

Kitchen fire safety

Insurers ask about the hood and fire suppression system over the cooking line and how often it is inspected and cleaned. Keep the service tags and invoices. They come up at quote time and after a loss.

Where we work

We work with restaurants across Nassau County and Suffolk County, and in New York City. For city restaurants, see restaurant insurance in New York City and Long Island.

Common questions

What insurance does a restaurant on Long Island need?

Most carry property and general liability, often as a businessowners policy, plus New York workers compensation and disability benefits for employees. Restaurants that serve alcohol should ask about liquor liability. Many add an umbrella, equipment breakdown and food spoilage.

Do I need liquor liability insurance in New York?

If you serve or sell alcohol, liquor liability is a coverage to ask about. New York's dram shop law can hold a seller responsible in some cases, and general liability policies often limit or exclude it. Your landlord or lender may also ask for it.

Do part-time restaurant workers need workers compensation in New York?

Yes. New York requires employers to carry workers compensation and disability benefits for employees, including part-time staff.

What does restaurant insurance cost on Long Island?

It depends on sales, payroll, alcohol sales, the building, the limits and the loss history. We do not publish prices. Send your current declarations pages for a free review.

My landlord wants a certificate. Can you issue it?

Yes, for policies we place. Send the landlord's exact name and the insurance section of the lease so the certificate shows what the lease requires.

What should I send for a quote?

Your address, annual sales and alcohol sales, payroll, seating, hours, a description of the kitchen and hood system, current declarations pages, loss runs, and the insurance section of your lease.

Talk to a broker

Get a quote Send the policy you have

Or call (516) 226-7969, Mon to Fri, 9 to 6 ET. SimpleINSURE Brokerage LLC, 900 Stewart Ave Ste 210, Garden City, NY 11530. NY DFS License BR-1984615.

Coverage descriptions are general summaries. The issued policy governs. Coverage is subject to the insurer's underwriting and the terms of the policy.

Restaurant insurance on Long Island