Pub & Restaurant Insurance

Get Pub Insurance Quotes with one simple form

Pub & Restaurant Insurance Quotes

• More>Than Business
• AXA
• Barry Grainger Ltd
• Bateman Group
• Direct Line
• Endsleigh
• Marsh Ltd
• Nationwide Caterers Association
• NDML Ltd
• Norwich Union
• Premierline Direct
• Pro Publican
• Simpson & Parsons
• Stuart Alexander Ltd
• Swinton
• Terry Osborne Insurance Services
• Towergate

No two pubs, restaurants, cafes, fish and chip shops, takeaways, tearooms or mobile catering units are alike. Yet they share the same basic needs when it comes to insurance cover.

Finding a cheap small business insurance package for a business in the food and drinks sector is by no means easy or straightforward, which is why most people turn to an independent insurance broker for advice.

A good insurance broker can guide you through the insurance maze, and track down the best policy for your particular business needs.

You can find a broker from:

• The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) website.
• The Institute of Insurance Brokers (IIB) website
• Or contact the Institute of Insurance Brokers Enquiry Line on 01933 410 003.

Before you buy insurance for your business get quotes from several insurers or ask your broker to do this for you.

Questions to ask when buying insurance for a business:

• what it will cover
• what it won't cover
• service
• cost
• whether there is a no claims bonus
• whether there is a 24-hour legal advice/emergency helpline
• the level of excess - the amount of each claim that you will have to pay

What will an insurer want to know before I can get a pub/restaurant/cafe/coffee shop/burger/pizza/fish and chip shop/sandwich shop/takeaway insurance quote?

When you take out insurance for your pub, restaurant, cafe, coffee shop, sandwich shop or takeaway business, your insurer will want to know basic facts about you and your business so they can assess your risk.

These include:

• When you started trading
• Type of business (eg Independent Public House, Managed Public House, Tenanted Public House, Independent Public House with restaurant, Licensed Restaurant, Unlicensed Restaurant, Wine Bar, Cafe, Coffee Shop, Fish & Chip Shop, Mobile Catering Unit, Takeaway)
• Business location and activities (ie services or events you offer other than serving food and drink)
• If you offer guest accommodation and if so how many rooms
• Whether deep fat frying is carried out on the premises
• The percentage of income split between activities/services offered (eg meals and snacks, drinks, entertainment/functions, accommodation)
• Estimated gross annual income for the next 12 months
• Estimated wage bill for the next 12 months
• Security details (eg lock systems, alarms, CCTV) and whether you have the minimum security requirements in place
• Value of business contents and stock
• Rent if applicable
• Rebuild value if you need buildings cover
• Sum insured for gross income
• Gross annual turnover and gross annual payroll
• Whether you want to insure the building
• Date and details of any previous losses
• Whether you've previously had an insurance application denied

You must reveal all relevant facts, regardless of whether specifically asked for.

If your premises, or business vehicles, have been broken into, let your insurer know.

Your premises could be inspected before cover is granted. If security is lax, say, or there's insufficient lighting, you'll need to fix these before you can get cover.

Once accepted you'll receive a policy document setting out the extent of cover together with details of exclusions and conditions.

With motor and employers' liability insurance you must display the certificates on your premises.

Things that could stop you getting insurance

• You'll pay higher premiums, or could even be refused cover, if:
• You've been declared bankrupt
• You've been charged or convicted with a criminal offence (other than a motoring offence)
• You've had an application for renewal or transfer of a liquor licence refused
• You intend to apply for the transfer of a liquor licence in the next 12 months
• You've been prosecuted or served with a prohibition order under Health & Safety laws in the last 5 years
• You've had 3 or more claims in the last 5 years
• Recovery action has been taken out against you by Customs and Excise or the Inland Revenue
• You've had a previous insurance application cancelled or refused
• Your premises aren't self contained with their own lockable front door, or are used for other purposes
• Your premises are closed in low season, partially closed or unoccupied for long periods
• Your premises are poorly maintained
• Companies that Quote for Pub & Restaurant Insurance

Top

MORE>THAN BUSINESS

Part of the RSA (Royal & SunAlliance) Group, MoreThanBusiness.com sells business insurance direct to small businesses in the food and drinks sector by phone and via the internet.

Types of businesses covered include:

• Cafes
• Coffee Shops
• Fish and Chip Shops
• Internet Cafes
• Mobile Shops/Burger Vans/Ice Cream Vans
• Pizza Takeaways
• Public Houses
• Public Houses with up to 5 bedrooms to let
• Restaurants
• Sandwich Bars
• Takeaway Foods
• Tea Shop/Tea Rooms
• Sports & Social Clubs
• Wine Bars

You can pay the premium in interest-free instalments. An added incentive is an automatic free seasonal stock increase of 50% for busy periods which you choose.

As a policy holder, you can call the free 24-hour helpline for advice on legal and Health & Safety issues, and stress counselling. During working hours you can access free advice on VAT and PAYE matters.

If you take out insurance with them, you'll qualify for a 10% discount on business car insurance.

There's a further a discount if you have CCTV or alarms maintained by approved installers.

For cafes, coffee bars and sandwich shops, details are as follows:

Policy features

• Employers Liability - £10m
• Public Liability - £2m
• Buildings, Contents and Stock - you choose the amount
• Stock in Transit - up to £2,500 to cover food delivered to functions or collected from suppliers (you can increase this)

Optional extra

• Legal expenses cover for tax, property, contract and employment issues

If you own the premises, you get cover for buildings, otherwise you're covered for rent payments.

There's no filling in forms with More>Than - you can apply online and get a quote in 10 minutes. Or you call them up and they take your details over the phone.

You can download a free Risk Management Guide for Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaways from their website.

Top

AXA

AXA, one of the leading insurers to small and medium-sized businesses, provides insurance for:

• Restaurants
• Wine bars
• Public houses

They won't consider you for insurance if you:

• Employ security staff
• Charge an entrance fee
• Provide a Bouncy Castle

Business interruption is included as standard in all their commercial policies and there's a 24-hour glass replacement service for windows, doors and partitions. There's also a 24-hour emergency and legal helpline, and free a tax advice helpline during business hours.

Sums insured for contents (and buildings, if included) are automatically adjusted to keep in line with inflation.

There's a free automatic seasonal increase of 25% for stock during busy periods - November, December and the first 14 days in January and for 30 days before Easter Day.

You can spread the cost of the annual premium by monthly direct debit as opposed to one lump sum payment - but you could be charged for this.

AXA policyholders can access the AXA Plus website for free business advice and discounts on services and products such as hotel bookings and car hire.

Policy features

• Contents and stock - you decide the amount. Replacement is on a market value basis, with limits on specified items, eg:
  • For wines and spirits - up to £1,000, the same for cigarettes and tobacco. You can increase cover for an extra premium
  • Guests personal effects - £1,000 for personal effects and £10,000 per vehicle, max £50,000 per claim
  • Employees' personal effects - £500 per employee, £1,000 if they permanently live in
• Loss of liquor licence - Up to £100,000.
• Business interruption - £500,000 or three times the contents insured amount - whichever's greater - for 12 months, but you can extend this to 36 months.

Cover also includes:

• Employer's liability - £10m
• Public liability - £2m with option to increase to £5m
• Product liability - £2m with option to increase to £5m
• Damage to signs (exc. neon signs) - £1,000
• Goods in transit - £2,000 (you can increase this to £4,000)
• Loss of money - up to £250,000 for crossed cheques and non negotiable money; £5,000 from business premises during working hours, in transit or a Bank Night safe; up to £300 from a gaming or vending machine
• Loss of freezer contents - £2,000 (you can increase this to £5,000)
• Legal expenses - £50,000 for each claim. Max. £500,000 in any period of insurance
• Loss of books - £10,000
• Loss of licence - £100,000
• Employee protection following robbery or assault - from £500 for damage to clothing and personal effects to £10,400 max for 1 incident
• Loss of income because of damage at suppliers' premises - £50,000 or 10% of sum insured, whichever's greater
• Legal Expenses

Optional extras

• Buildings
• Subsidence
• Terrorism
• Computer Breakdown - up to £5,000 for computer records, and your selected sum for equipment
• 'All Risks' on specified items lost/damaged away from the premises
• Theft by Employees - up to £5,000

For a quote, apply online or phone 0845 3000 678 Mon - Fri, 8am - 6pm.

You can request a callback online, or arrange a personal visit by one of their reps. Website:http://www.axa-insurance.co.uk

Top

Barry Grainger Ltd

Based in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, independent insurance brokers Barry Grainger Ltd. feature among the Restaurant Association's preferred insurers. They offer specialist insurance for:

• Catering Vans
• Hotels/B&Bs
• Pubs
• Restaurants/Cafes
• Takeaways

Their specialist Catering Van insurance is suitable for a single vehicle or fleet. You can choose from the standard covers - Comprehensive, Third Party Fire & Theft or Third Party Only.

For a quote, you fill in a detailed form online and they'll get back to you. Details required for Catering Van insurance include:

• total no. of drivers to be insured
• vehicle make, model, year of registration, engine capacity and body type (eg pick-up, flat back)
• where the vehicle is kept overnight
• estimated value gross
• vehicle weight
• length of vehicle/trailer
• details of any security device
• details of any accidents in the last 5 years

There are similarly detailed forms for other types of insurance eg, restaurant, cafe and pub insurance.

We couldn't access policy details online, other than that Public Liability and Employers Liability cover are £2 million and £10 million as standard, but these can be increased.

Website: www.barrygraingerinsurance.co.uk

Tel: 0845 408 5447

Top

The Bateman Group

Recommended by both the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII) and the Restaurant Association, the Warwick-based Bateman Group have over 40 years' experience as an independent broker.

If you're a member of the BII then you are eligible for a discount on their Barcare pub insurance.

Specialist schemes for business in the hospitality sector are:

• Barcare Direct (Pubs & Bars)
• Guest Direct (Guesthouses)
• Hotel Direct
• Restaurant Direct

They use a panel of specialist insurance companies and promise to provide competitive quotes.

Unfortunately you can't access policy details online.

You can call them on 0800 731 6689 for a free quote or phone 01926 405040 to discuss your requirements.

Alternatively you can leave your contact details and they'll call you back. You can also request an information pack online.

Website: www.bateman-group.co.uk

Tel: 01926 405882

Top

Direct Line

Direct Line, the UK's leading direct car insurer, also insures pubs, cafes and restaurants. If your main business is selling food or drink, their Pub & Restaurant policy could be right for you.

It's specifically aimed at:

• Pubs
• Restaurants
• Cafes

Your business can be independent, managed or tenanted, licensed or unlicensed, but you must operate from a single premises and annual income can't be over £375,000.

Grade1 listed buildings are excluded, and they won't consider you if you've had more than four claims in the last three years.

The policy can cover up to 4 guest rooms. If you have between 5 - 12 rooms, their Hotel policy might suit.

But they won't cover you if you provide DSS accommodation or if the business is partially closed or shuts down for any period longer than 21 days a year.

You won't be eligible if you provide live entertainment or nightclub facilities, but they do cover late night opening for Christmas and New Year.

Entertainments such as darts, bingo, pool, snooker, quiz nights, race nights, televised sporting events, gaming machines and private functions are all covered, as are public BBQs in the beer garden in the summer.

They'll cover you for a licence extension (past 12 am) for New Year's Eve and Christmas only.

If you use a private vehicle to pick up stock, the goods will be covered provided that the vehicle is owned or leased by you.

Policy features

The following are provided as standard:

• Business Contents including fruit machines and pool tables - max. £250,000
• Public & Products Liability - £2m
• Employers' Liability - up to £10m
• Loss of Income - up to £500,000 for a 24-month period
• Money
• Loss of refrigerated stock - £15,000

Optional extras

• Glass, Goods in Transit and Fixed Signs
• Personal Accident (Assault)
• Buildings cover - up to £2m
• Loss of Drinks Licence
• Household Contents if you live in
• Loss of Money
• Tenant improvements up to £500,000

If you're a new customer, they guarantee to beat your Pub & Restaurant Insurance renewal quote (offer not available in Northern Ireland).

Policyholders can also take advantage of free helpline services - health, medical and legal advice, emergency services assistance, and even stress counselling.

For a quote, apply online or call 0845 303 1741. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm.

Website: http://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk

Top

Endsleigh

Originally set up in the Swinging Sixties to meet the insurance needs of students, Cheltenham-based Endsleigh now provide a wide range of products for the commercial market.

Their Business Insurance Services arm offers a Pub & Wine Bar Insurance package specifically for licensed premises including:

• Small pubs
• Bistros
• Wine bars
• Restaurants

Cover can include Buildings, Contents, Stock, Computers, Business Interruption, Book Debts, Public, Products and Employers Liability, Money, Personal Accident Assault and various other extensions.

They use a panel of UK insurers to devise a package specifically suited to your business needs, and promise tailored solutions to suit you.

Policyholders can access a free advisory service on Health and Safety issues, Disaster Recovery Planning and Risk Management.

Policy features

• Employers, Public & Product liability
• All Risks cover for Contents
• Business interruption
• Money
• Goods in transit
• Theft by Employees
• Loss of licence
• Business equipment

Optional extras

• Buildings and subsidence

To apply you fill in brief details online and they'll call you back.

Tel: 01242 866 800, Mon - Fri, 9am - 5 pm. Closed weekends.

Website: www.endsleigh.co.uk

Top

Marsh Ltd

Recommended by The British Institute of Innkeepers (BII), Marsh bills itself as the world's no.1 risk management and insurance services company.

Part of the giant Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (MMC) which is based in New York, they employ over 2,500 staff in over 20 offices in the UK.

On offer are specialist insurance packages for the licensed trade, with cover specifically designed for:

• casinos
• pubs
• hotels
• nightclubs
• restaurants
• social clubs

Policy features

• employers' and public liability
• all risks for trade contents and stock
• inflation protection for buildings/contents
• theft
• loss of licence
• business interruption
• loss of money
• 'new for old' replacement on buildings/contents
• assault cover for landlord and staff

They can help you manage the risks associated with your particular business, and you can take advantage of a 24-hour legal, tax and health and safety helpline.

You don't have to pay the premium upfront - you can pay by monthly instalment.

If you're a member of the BII (British Institute of Innkeepers) you qualify for a 10% discount on the premium.

Tel 01892 553164

Website: www.marsh.co.uk

Top

Nationwide Caterers Association

The Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS) offers discounted insurance products for independent businesses working in the catering industry, everything from traditional greasy spoons to pavement cafes.

To be eligible, you have to take out membership. There are four types of membership:

• Mobile caterer - For trailer-based operators.
• Outside caterer - For buffet and corporate hospitality caterers, mobile bars, delivery rounds, cheffing services
• Fixed site caterer - For cafes, fish and chip shops, hotels and guest houses, restaurants, takeaways
• Supplier - For anyone who supplies any of the above with good or services
• Mobile caterer membership means you qualify for discounted trailer insurance, with fleet discounts for three or more trailers.

For all membership types, a major benefit is unlimited free training in Hygiene & Safety matters (subject to a small certification fee of £20 - price correct at Jan 2009).

Insurance policies are arranged by Dudley-based Commercial Express Quotes Ltd. and underwritten by Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC. Policy holders can access a free legal and financial helpline.

If you're accepted, policy documents are emailed to you almost instantaneously. Types of businesses insured include:

• Burger bars
• Cafes
• Coffee Shops
• Fish & Chips
• Guest Houses & Hotels
• Hot dog stands
• Kebab houses
• Mobile & static catering units
• Pizza parlours
• Pubs & Wine Bars
• Restaurants
• Sandwich Bars
• Takeaways

Frying ranges are covered regardless of age. Extraction canopies and ductwork must be cleaned once a year by independent contractors to comply with the policy (some insurers demand cleaning is carried out more often than this).

Here are some examples of what's on offer.

Sandwich Bars

For Sandwich bar insurance, regardless of whether you sell basic butties or top-of-the-range gourmet eats, combined business insurance package premiums start from £345 a year (price correct at Jan 2009).

Policy features

• Employers liability - £10 m
• Public/products liability - £2m
• Business interruption - £250,000
• Money - £2000
• Goods in transit - £2000
• Frozen food
• Book debts - £25,000
• Loss of Licence - £50,000
• Glass, Sanitary fittings, signs & fascia - £1,000

Optional extras

• Buildings
• Legal expenses

For all policies, legal expenses cover is underwritten by Norwich Union and includes defence costs if you're prosecuted under HCCAP rules and regulations. Tel 0845 0940 420 for a free quote.

Cafe Insurance

Aimed primarily at cafes, it's also suitable for takeaways in the retail food sector - Chinese, Indian, Thai, Cantonese - you name it.

Premiums start from £425 a year (prices correct at Jan 2009). Plus you could save up to 30% if you haven't made a claim in the last 5 years.

Policy features

• Employers liability
• Public/products liability
• Business interruption
• Money
• Goods in transit
• Frozen food
• Bad debts
• Loss of Licence

Optional extras

• Buildings
• Legal expenses including defence against prosecution cover under HCCAP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) rules and regulations

Take Away Insurance

For takeaways of every kind - burger, pizza, Indian, Cantonese, Chinese, etc. Premiums from £425 a year (price correct at Jan 2009). Policy features are similar to those for Fish & Chip Shop insurance (see below).

Fish & Chip Shop Insurance

NCASS claim their Fish & Chip Shop insurance scheme is one of the most competitive in the UK fast food market, with premiums starting from £500 a year.

If you've been trading claim-free for 5 years or more, you can save up to 30% on the premium.

Policy features

• Employers liability
• Public/products liability
• Business interruption
• Money
• Goods in transit
• Frozen food
• Bad debts

Optional Extras

• Buildings
• Legal expenses

Pub Insurance

Aimed at pubs and wine bars, premiums start from £470 a year. Cover can be extended to include late licence premises.

Policy features

• Public/ Employers/Products liability
• Business interruption
• Money
• Goods in transit
• Frozen food
• Bad debts

Optional extras

• Buildings
• Loss of Licence

Restaurant Insurance

Aimed at any type of restaurant including those that get up to 30% of their turnover from takeaways, licensed premises and premises with deep frat fryers. Premiums start from £345 (reduced from £470). Price correct at Jan 2009.

Policy features

• Public/ Employers/Products liability
• Business interruption
• Money
• Goods in transit
• Frozen food
• Bad debts
• Loss of Licence
• Buildings

Optional Extras

• Buildings
• Legal expenses

Tel 0845 0940 420 for a free quote.

Catering Equipment Insurance

NCASS will insure almost every item of equipment used by caters - wines, spirits and generators excepted - up to a maximum of £5,000 under standard cover, with a single item limit of £2,500.

The total sum insured can be increased to £10,000 for an extra premium. Any single item over £2,500 has to be photographed and submitted to NCASS for prior approval.

They'll insure:

• Market stalls
• Mobile bar equipment
• Coffee machines
• Ice cream bikes and machines
• Sandwich making equipment
• Buffet catering equipment
• Hog roasts
• Barbecues
• Chocolate fountains
• Baked potato ovens
• Crockery
• Slush machines
• Juicers
• Griddles
• Boilers
• Baines maries
• Fryers
• Toasters
• Hand wash units

Cover starts from £60 per annum plus IPT (price correct at Jan 2009), only available at that price if you also buy an NCASS liability insurance package.

Tel 0845 0940 420 for a free quote.

Catering Insurance: NCASS offer a range of covers for non-fixed site caterers, including:

• Mobile catering trailer cover from £300 per annum
• Mobile catering liability insurance cover from £105 per annum
• Catering trailer breakdown cover from £89 per annum
• Outside catering liability cover from £146.25 per annum

All prices correct at Jan 2009.

Tel 0845 094 0420 for a free quote.

Website http://www.ncass.org.uk

Tel 0121 603 2524

Top

NDML Ltd

Set up in 1997, Leeds-based NDML Ltd (Nightclub Direct & Millenium Leisure Ltd) specialise in insuring late-night leisure operators in the hospitality sector. They cover venues that the more mainstream insurers tend to shy away from.

Unlike NDML, most insurers won't even consider premises that hire security staff, offer live music and dance floors.

Types of late night leisure risks covered include:

• Bars
• Cocktail Bars
• Restaurants
• Hybrid Venues (ie half club/half pub)
• Fun Pubs
• Clubs
• Live Music Venues
• Lapdancing / Poledancing venues
• As well as these, other hospitality operators covered include:
• Hotels
• Casinos
• Bingo Clubs
• Family Entertainment Centres
• Leisure Centres
• Restaurants

They've teamed up with Best Bar None awards scheme (reviewed elsewhere on these pages) to offer specialist insurance to all venues with a Best Bar None award.

NDML also happen to be the only official insurance broker endorsed by Noctis (the body representing businesses operating in the late-night leisure industry).

As you would expect, NDML offer discounted insurance exclusive to Noctis members.

Their Late Night Bar Scheme is specifically targeted at late opening bars based in traditionally high risk urban areas who also offer:

• Extensive food and drink menus
• Seating areas for food consumption
• Table service

Their risk management service can help identify and control risks to your business operations, including providing safe working conditions for employees and help with preparing health and safety documentation.

Policy details aren't available online but you can download their brochure, key facts and terms and conditions.

You can complete a quick contact form online or call their Leeds Office on 0113 281 8110.

Website: http://www.ndml.co.uk

Top

Norwich Union / Aviva

Norwich Union, the largest insurance provider in the UK and part of Aviva, the world's fifth-largest insurance group, no longer sells Business Insurance direct - you have to go through a broker.

We visited their ebroking site where you can view documents online.

Their Pubsurance policy is for:

• Public houses
• Pub/restaurants
• Wine bars

You can let up to four bedrooms and still be eligible.

Policy features

For buildings and contents you can choose from two options:

• Fire & Specified Contingencies
• All Risks

Fire & Specified Contingencies includes loss or damage from specific causes eg fire, lightning, storm or flood, burst pipes, falling trees or radio/TV aerials, theft, leakage of bulk supplied beverages etc.

All Risks covers all of the above, plus accidental damage, and:

• Goods in transit - up to £1,000
• 30% increase for stock
• Loss of keys stolen from the premises - up to £500

You can extend cover to include terrorism and/or subsidence, ground heave and landslip.

For business interruption, as well as disruption caused following flooding, etc., you're also covered for:

• Infectious illness, murder or suicide at the premises
• Pollution of a watercourse within a 25-mile radius resulting in cancellations or difficulty accessing your premises
• Damage to nearby property which affects access to your premises

Here again you can extend cover to include terrorism.

Optional extras

You can choose from a range of optional covers including commercial legal protection, employee dishonesty, frozen food, loss of liquor licence, book debts and personal accident.

Benefits include:

• Free 24 hours claims phone line
• Legal and tax helpline
• Counselling service for policyholder and staff
• Risk Services helpline and website

Policyholders are eligible for discounts on security and fire safety products through the Norwich Union's own Preferred Supplier scheme.

You can also take advantage of a free kitchen inspection by Rentokil Hygiene Services and discounted rates for deep cleaning. There's the option to spread the premium over 12 monthly instalments but there's a charge for this. For more information, you need to go through an insurance broker.

Website: http://www.nuebroking.com

Top

Premierline Direct

With the giant Global Allianz Group behind it, Lancaster-based Premierline Direct are confident enough to guarantee to beat every other insurer on your next pub, inn or licensed restaurant renewal quote by at least 10%.

You can put them to the test and ask for a cheaper quote as long as you've made no more than one claim in the last 12 months, and the claim was for £5,000 or less.

On average, Premierline Direct boast that business customers can save over 25% on their annual premium, with a typical saving of £290 on a commercial van policy - they can arrange a single policy to cover both your business and van(s).

They've helped hundreds of independent pubs, like The Pewter Pot Public House in Rotherham, to cut insurance costs.

The Pewter Pot landlady, Mrs Gill Redfern, is quoted as having saved over £380 on her annual premium after switching to them in 2002. She's been with them ever since.

To be eligible to apply, you can't have had more than 5 claims in the last 5 years or:

• stage live entertainment or discos more than 3 times a week
• open after midnight more than 3 times a week
• have a dance floor
• let more than 6 bedrooms

Policy holders can access Allianz's award-winning risk management website, Risk Director, for business advice and support. They also enjoy savings and discounts from companies such as Esso, Npower, Viking Direct, Apple and Hewlett Packard.

All policies give you automatic access to a free legal helpline but legal expenses insurance, underwritten by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited, is extra, and costs from £75 (plus IPT) a year.

Cover is automatically provided for leakage of beer from pumped containers and, if you offer sleeping accommodation for paying guests, cover for theft isn't dependant on forcible, violent entry or exit.

Policy features

• Employers liability - £10 million
• Public liability - £2 million
• Business contents - you select the amount
• Loss of liquor license - up to £100,000
• Business interruption - £500,000 for a 12-month period
• Loss of accounts receivable - £25,000
• Glass & sanitary fittings - £500
• Damage to signs - £1,000
• Goods in transit - £2,000
• Theft of keys - £500
• Loss of money - from £300 (from vending machines) to £250,000 (for non-negotiable money eg crossed cheques)
• Personal accident/assault - £100 per week; £10,000 for loss of limbs
• Loss of freezer contents - £2,000

As well as all that there's an automatic stock increase of up to 25% to cover busy periods.

Optional extras

• Buildings cover - to cover the cost of rebuilding, with an option to include subsidence cover
• Theft by employees - up to £5,000 (policy excess £250)
• Computer breakdown
• All risks specified items - for items used away from the premises in the UK, plus up to 30 days cover worldwide
• Subsidence
• Terrorism

It's easy to apply online or if you prefer you can leave your details online and one of their advisors will call you back.

Website: http://www.premierlinedirect.co.uk

Tel: 0800 083 2060.

Top

Pro Publican

As the name suggests, Pro Publican specialises in insurance for the licensed trade, and is aimed at tenanted, leased or freehouse pubs.

A trading name of Pro Hospitality Limited, they come recommended by the BII (British Institute of Innkeepers). BII members qualify for a discount on their premium.

Policy features

• All risk cover for buildings/contents
• New for old cover
• Business interruption
• Business cash loss
• Frozen food
• Loss of liquor license
• Glass breakage
• Legal liabilities
• Garden furniture

You can pay premiums in monthly instalments and for those who live on the premises, there's the option to include household contents cover under the one policy.

For a quote, you can apply online by filling in your details, including whether you supply regular entertainment and if you live on the premises.

Tel 0870 1644613 (freephone 0800 164 4613)

Website: http://www.propublican.co.uk/

Top

Simpson & Parsons

Based in the Lake District National Park since 1984, independent brokers Simpson & Parsons specialise in the hospitality industry and provide insurance for pubs and restaurants.

On offer are discounts for larger premises, owners who've run the same establishment for years or who live on the premises, as well as no claims discounts.

They promise competitive rates together with comprehensive cover but we couldn't access any policy details online, so we can't outline exactly what's on offer.

There's nothing to stop you supplying basic details online - just click on the 'Get a quote' button and put them to the test.

Cover is instant, quotations are free and you can get help and advice over the phone or in person.

Policies are underwritten by large insurers such as AIG, NIG, MMA and Great Lakes Insurance UK.

Website: http://www.simpsonparsons.co.uk

Tel: 01539 447387

Top

Stuart Alexander Ltd

Online broker Stuart Alexander Ltd offers the aptly named 'Covers,' a tailor-made package for restaurant operators.

A trading name of Bluefin Insurance Services Ltd., Stuart Alexander is based in the City of London with regional branches in Southampton, Bournemouth and Ashford, Middlesex.

The 'Covers' policy is endorsed by the Restaurant Association, part of the British Hospitality Association, the national trade association for the hospitality and catering industry. BHA members qualify for a 20% discount.

Policy features

• Employers, Public and Products Liability
• Property
• Trade Contents
• Loss of Liquor Licence
• Glass, Signs, Goods in Transit
• Loss of Money
• Business Interruption
• Deterioration of Stock
• Loss of Attraction
• Personal Accident
• Terrorism

You can't access details of the policy online - you have to fill in details online (restaurant name and address, your turnover and number of covers) and they'll contact you within 24 hours.

Website: www.stuartalexander.co.uk.

For free advice on restaurant insurance, tel:
Southampton office - 02380 881 305
Bournemouth office - 01202 290686
Lines are open Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm.

Top

Swinton

With over 400 branches on the High Street, Manchester-based Swinton Insurance is a household name in the UK. Set up in the late Fifties, it's well known for car and home insurance, while their Business arm offers specialist cover for:

• Pubs & Bars
• Cafes & Restaurants
• Hotels & B&Bs

Recommended by the Restaurant Association, policy features include:

• Public & Employers Liability
• Loss of Licence
• Business Interruption
• Trade contents
• Breakage of fixed glass
• Money on premises, in transit or night safe
• Personal accident or assault
• Legal expenses

They use a panel of well known insurers to track down the best deal. Tel 0800 316 6828.

Website: http://www.swinton.co.uk/business

Top

Terry Osborne Insurance Services

Based in Maidstone in Kent, Terry Osborne Insurance are specialists in Public House and Hotel insurance.

They cover:

• Public Houses
• Guest Houses
• Hotels
• Pubs
• Inns

There's a 10% discount on insurance for members of the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII), the professional body of the licensed trade.

Policy details aren't available on line, but typical cover includes:

• Employer's liability, public liability and products liability
• Business contents
• Business interruption
• Loss of liquor licence
• Damage to fixed glass, external signs and sanitary fittings
• Loss/damage to business goods in transit
• Loss of freezer contents
• Loss of money
• Seasonal increase - automatic increase in stock sum insured during busy periods

Optional extras

• Buildings
• Legal expenses

You can submit an application form online or phone for a free quote on 01622 745297 and one of their Customer Service Team will call you back.

Lines open Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 12pm and 1 - 4.30pm.

Website: http://www.terryosborneinsurance.co.uk

Top

Towergate

One of the UK's largest independent insurance intermediaries, Towergate Risk Solutions has a network of 70 offices employing over 3,000 staff and does business over the internet, by phone and face-to-face.

They offer specialist insurance tailored specifically for:

• Breweries
• Pubs
• Restaurants
• Tea Rooms

No claims discounts are available, and policyholders can access Business Link, a national network of local business advice centres for help with finance, management skills, marketing, technology, etc.

The Towergate Patrick office in New Malden, Surrey, specialises in licensed trade insurance specifically aimed at:

• Pubs
• Restaurants
• Tea Rooms

Policy features

• Legal expenses
• Full theft cover
• Loss of earnings up to 24 months
• 24-hr legal advice line

Optional extras

• Buildings
• Personal accident
• Household contents

Tel: 0208 336 099

The Towergate Risk Solutions office in Poole, Dorset deals specifically with insurance for breweries and brewery-related businesses, including public houses and micro breweries.

As well as the usual liability covers, there's automatic cover for trade shows, exhibitions and farmers' markets plus protection against:

• Yeast culture contamination
• Loss of metered water
• Leakage of vat contents, burst bottles and barrels
• Liability cover for used grain sold to farmers

Policy details aren't available online, but they pride themselves on securing preferential rates and terms, so they're worth a look.

Tel: 01202 634800

For quotes or more information, you can use their online email function to contact them direct, or fill in a quote form online.

Or just click on an office near you on the online map to email an enquiry to your local office.

Policies are underwritten by insurers such as Norwich Union, AXA, Groupama and Allianz Cornhill.

Website: http://www.towergaterisksolutions.co.uk