Liquor Store Business Insurance: Key Coverages You Need
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Liquor stores face a unique mix of risks, high‑value inventory, strict age‑verification requirements, late‑night operations, theft exposure, and liquor liability concerns. Having the right liquor store business insurance is essential not only to protect your inventory and income, but also to stay compliant with state regulations and landlord requirements. Below are the key coverages every liquor store should carry to stay fully protected.
General liability protects your business from:
Customer slip‑and‑fall injuries
Property damage caused during store operations
Vendor or visitor accidents
Most landlords require general liability before allowing occupancy. For background on how liability coverage works, the Insurance Information Institute provides helpful educational resources on small‑business insurance.
Liquor liability is one of the most important coverages for liquor stores. It protects your business if someone claims:
Improper alcohol sale
Failure to verify ID
Selling to an intoxicated customer
Alcohol‑related injury or damage
Many states and local alcohol control boards require liquor liability coverage as part of licensing.
This covers the physical assets you rely on daily, including:
Inventory (beer, wine, spirits, tobacco)
Refrigerators and coolers
Shelving and displays
Building (if owned)
Signage
POS and electronics
Property claims, especially fire, theft, or vandalism, can shut down operations without the proper coverage.
If a fire, storm, or equipment failure forces you to close temporarily, business income coverage replaces lost revenue. This is essential for liquor stores because a large portion of revenue is dependent on daily walk‑in traffic.
5) Crime Coverage
Liquor stores face above‑average exposure to:
Theft
Shoplifting
Employee theft
Cash‑handling losses
Crime coverage protects your money and inventory from these risks.
Most liquor stores rely heavily on refrigeration. Equipment breakdown covers repairs and spoilage caused by:
Power surges
Mechanical failure
Compressor issues
This helps protect high‑value perishable items like craft beer or chilled wine.
If you have employees, workers’ comp is usually required by law. It covers injuries, medical bills, and lost wages.
Get the Right Insurance Protection for Your Liquor Store
Not all insurance companies specialise in liquor store risks, and coverage needs vary depending on your location, security measures, inventory value, and liquor liability exposure. Wexford Insurance partners with top‑rated carriers that specialise in liquor store coverage, helping owners secure the right limits, deductibles, and policy forms tailored to their operation.
👉Request your liquor store business insurance quote from Wexford Insurance today and make sure your inventory, income, and business are fully protected.
