Nadler Insurance
Industry Specialty

Restaurant Insurance

Specialized coverage for Bay Area restaurants, bars, cafes, and food service businesses. We understand the unique risks you face — from kitchen fires to liquor liability.

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Food Service Businesses We Cover

Full-service restaurantsFast casual & quick serviceBars & nightclubsCafes & coffee shopsFood trucks & mobile vendorsCatering companiesBakeries & dessert shopsBreweries & taprooms

Coverage Built for Restaurants

Restaurant insurance isn't one-size-fits-all. We build coverage packages tailored to how your business actually operates.

Property & Equipment

Commercial ovens, refrigeration, POS systems, furniture — your kitchen and dining room represent a major investment. We protect it all against fire, theft, and equipment breakdown.

General Liability

Customer slips on a wet floor? Food allergy reaction? General liability covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims — essential for any restaurant.

Liquor Liability

If you serve alcohol, you need liquor liability coverage. Protects against claims arising from intoxicated patrons — required by many landlords and essential for bars.

Food Contamination & Spoilage

Power outage spoils your walk-in? Contamination forces a recall? This coverage handles the cost of spoiled inventory and business interruption from food safety events.

Workers Compensation

Kitchen burns, knife injuries, slips in the back — restaurant work has real hazards. California requires workers comp, and we find competitive rates for food service.

Business Interruption

A fire or flood shuts you down for weeks. Business interruption coverage replaces lost income and helps cover fixed expenses while you rebuild.

Why Bay Area Restaurants Choose Nadler

We Know Restaurants

From kitchen liability to liquor compliance, we understand the specific risks restaurants face. We've helped dozens of Bay Area restaurants build the right coverage.

Multiple Carrier Options

We work with carriers that specialize in hospitality — not just general commercial markets. This means better coverage terms and more competitive pricing.

Fast Certificates

Landlords, event venues, and catering clients all want COIs. We turn around certificate requests quickly so you can focus on running your restaurant.

Claims Advocacy

When a claim happens — a kitchen fire, a slip-and-fall — you need someone in your corner. We advocate for you with the carrier and help manage the process.

The Nadler Approach

We're advisors, not salespeople. When you work with Nadler, you get an insurance partner who takes the time to understand your restaurant — your menu, your service style, your growth plans — and builds coverage that actually fits.

Since 1927, we've been helping Bay Area businesses navigate insurance. We're a 4th-generation family brokerage, and we treat our clients like neighbors — because many of them are.

Learn about our story

Restaurant Insurance FAQs

What insurance do I need to open a restaurant in California?
At minimum, California restaurants need general liability insurance, workers compensation (if you have employees), and commercial property coverage. Most landlords also require proof of insurance naming them as additional insured. If you serve alcohol, you'll need liquor liability. We recommend also considering food contamination coverage, business interruption, and an umbrella policy for extra protection.
How much does restaurant insurance cost in the Bay Area?
Restaurant insurance costs vary widely based on your sales volume, number of employees, whether you serve alcohol, your claims history, and your specific coverage needs. A small cafe might pay $3,000-5,000 annually, while a full-service restaurant with a bar could be $15,000-25,000+. We shop multiple carriers to find competitive rates for your specific situation.
Do I need liquor liability if I only serve beer and wine?
Yes. Liquor liability applies whether you serve beer, wine, or spirits. Any establishment that sells alcohol for on-premises consumption faces liquor liability exposure. Many landlords require it, and it protects you if an intoxicated patron causes harm after leaving your establishment.
What's covered under food contamination insurance?
Food contamination coverage typically includes the cost of spoiled inventory, business interruption while you address the issue, cleanup and decontamination expenses, and sometimes PR/crisis management costs. Some policies also cover mandatory closure ordered by health authorities and the cost of notifying affected customers.
Can you help with certificates of insurance for my landlord?
Absolutely. Most commercial leases require proof of insurance with the landlord named as additional insured. We handle certificate requests quickly — often same-day — and can set up automatic certificate delivery to your landlord when policies renew.

Ready to protect your restaurant?

Get a customized quote from a broker who understands the food service industry.

Get a QuoteCall (650) 508-8000