West Virginia Restaurant Insurance

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Understanding West Virginia Restaurant Insurance Requirements to Protect Your Business

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Running a Restaurant in West Virginia

Planning to open a restaurant in West Virginia? Whether you’re focusing on local favorites like pepperoni rolls, soup beans, or buckwheat pancakes, or something more widely American, like burgers or pizza, you need to protect your investment. That means insurance.

The challenge? West Virginia restaurant insurance requirements can be confusing. The good news is that it’s not rocket science. This guide will help you understand what policies you need, which ones you don’t, and which ones might be important even if they’re not legally required.

General Liability Insurance

In West Virginia, general liability insurance isn’t legally required. That said, it’s something you shouldn’t overlook. This coverage protects you from claims related to things like property damage, the costs of medical care, and a lot more.

For example, let’s say a customer steps through your door and slips on the freshly mopped floor. Your general liability insurance will cover the costs of their medical care.

How much should you carry? Most experts suggest around $1 million per occurrence. You’ll want $2 million in aggregate.

General liability insurance protects against:

Property damage claims
Product liability claims
Bodily injury
Advertising injury

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Workers’ Compensation Insurance

In West Virginia, businesses with three or more employees are required by state law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. So, unless you’re running a sole proprietorship or only have two employees, you’ll need it.

Workers’ comp protects your employees (and your business) in the face of a workplace accident. For example, suppose a kitchen employee gets burned while cooking or badly cut while slicing food.

In both cases, workers’ compensation handles their treatment costs and compensates for any lost income during recovery.

Worker’s comp insurance covers:

Injury treatment costs
Lost wages
Costs of rehabilitation
Legal fees from lawsuits

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Commercial Property Insurance

West Virginia has a pretty diverse climate, with the chance for things like strong thunderstorms, tornadoes, and even serious blizzards in winter. That means your restaurant could face natural disasters like floods or fires.

Commercial property insurance protects you against things like damaged equipment, damage to your building, and even spoiled inventory due to a loss of power. Depending on your situation (owning, buying, or renting/leasing the building), you may be required to carry commercial property insurance.

But even if you don’t, it’s a sound decision to buy a policy.

Commercial property insurance helps protect you against threats like:

Damage to the building or its contents
Damage to the building’s exterior fixtures
Damage or spoilage of your inventory
Damage to business documents

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Liquor Liability Insurance

If your restaurant serves alcohol, liquor liability insurance is an important consideration. While West Virginia law doesn’t require liquor liability insurance to get a liquor license, it’s a smart decision that can protect your business from potential lawsuits and financial fallout.

Let’s say that a customer comes in and has too much to drink. They leave your restaurant and have an accident, causing damage to a nearby business.

While they’re on the hook for most of the damages, you could also be held partially liable. Liquor liability insurance helps protect you.

Liquor liability insurance covers:

Property damage caused by intoxicated customers
Bodily damage caused by intoxicated customers
Legal costs related to lawsuits from alcohol-related incidents

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Business Interruption Insurance

Unexpected occurrences can put a serious crimp in your operations. Business interruption insurance helps you make it through those tough times.

so you can cover ongoing expenses like rent and payroll until you’re back on your feet. What might interrupt your business? Think of things like storm damage, civil unrest, or even another pandemic.

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Commercial Auto Insurance

Do you deliver food? Maybe you’re doing catering on the side. Or it could just be that you use your personal vehicle for work errands every now and then. Don’t think that your personal auto insurance will do anything if you’re involved in an at-fault accident, though.

You’ll need a commercial auto insurance policy in place, whether you have a dedicated work vehicle or use your personal car.

Commercial auto coverage helps protect against:

Bodily injury
Property damage
Uninsured and underinsured motorists

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Why choose FarmerBrown.Com?

As you can see, there are plenty of considerations when it comes to buying West Virginia restaurant insurance. Perhaps the most important choice is the partner that helps you find the right policies.

At FarmerBrown.com, we understand the challenges you face and are here to help.

We deliver customized insurance solutions designed for your specific restaurant.

You won’t find any one-size-fits-all approaches here. Plus, we offer competitive rates and a solid understanding of West Virginia’s rules and regulations, so you never have to worry about an insurance-related misstep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is general liability insurance mandatory for West Virginia restaurants?

No, it’s not, but we strongly recommend carrying it. It’s one of the most important ways for you to protect your investment.

Do I need workers’ compensation insurance if I have only a few employees?

In West Virginia, businesses with three or more employees are required by state law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, even if you’re the only employee, it’s important to think about carrying it. Note that workers’ compensation insurance in West Virginia applies to all employees, including temporary or seasonal staff. Be sure to inform your insurer about any seasonal changes in staffing so your policy accurately reflects your business.

Does my insurance cover outdoor seating areas?

If your restaurant has outdoor seating, you’ll want to make sure it’s included in your policy. Many general liability and property insurance policies can be extended to cover outdoor areas, but you’ll need to confirm this with your insurer. Note that you’ll need to pay for the addition in most cases.

Are food trucks or catering services covered under standard restaurant insurance?

Standard restaurant insurance may not automatically cover food trucks or off-site catering. You’ll probably need additional coverage, like commercial auto insurance for food trucks or an endorsement for off-site events.