Knoxville Restaurant Insurance

(Everything You Need to Know - And More)

Written by Christina Palermo
Written by Christina Palermo

Christina is a freelance writer and licensed insurance agent. She has worked in many facets of the insurance industry, from entry-level assistant to account manager/sales rep to vice president of operations.

Updated
Knoxville Tennessee Restaurant Insurance

Knoxville is located on the eastern side of the state, along the beautiful Tennessee River. This interesting city calls itself a nature-loving, artsy kinda town where 187, 346 residents grow deep roots. Visitors and locals enjoy walking through the famous Market Square to shop and eat among 19th-century buildings. 

In fact, Knoxville has more restaurants per capita than any other US city, which means plenty of bellies to fill. Maybe your restaurant cooks traditional foods like burgers and BBQ, or perhaps you strictly serve up farm-to-table vegan cuisine. Either way, your Knoxville neighbors are ready to eat. You should be ready, too, by protecting your business with restaurant insurance. 

Whether you run a tiny coffeehouse or a big buffet franchise, you need a policy that covers every risk on the menu. Independent insurance agents will use their expertise to find the best coverage for your business so you can focus on serving up mouthwatering dishes.  

What’s Knoxville Restaurant Insurance?

In basic terms, restaurant insurance is a combination of coverages that protects your employees, property, inventory, and diners. Each restaurant has a unique variety of risks, and your coverage can be customized to safeguard your business accordingly. 

Food for Thought: Knoxville, TN 

  • Restaurant industry sales are projected to reach $899 billion, up 4% over 2019
  • Knoxville residents working as cooks and food preparation workers: 6,182
  • Total of full-service Knoxville County restaurants: 313

Why Does My Knoxville Restaurant Need Insurance?

Restaurant losses may not be on your menu, but unlucky events can still happen. Kitchen fires, sick patrons, and even more serious crimes can occur. Here are a few of the things that could go wrong:

  • Losing your stuff: Loss or damage of your inventory, equipment, or property. 
  • Being sued: A customer finds glass in their dish and then you have to see the judge. Or a server feels you discriminated against them while they worked at your diner. 
  • Making a mistake: Food poisoning caused by improper food preparation. Your mistakes and those of your staff can be covered. 
restaurant

Ready to Save On Restaurant Insurance?

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

Unfortunate Events Do Happen in Knoxville, TN

Restaurant insurance can help keep your business running even when there’s an unfortunate setback along the way. Damage and losses caused by weather events and criminals can occur. 

  • Natural disasters in Knox County (10) vs. US average (13)
  • Knox County’s most common weather events: floods, tornadoes, and storms
  • Average US robberies per 1,000: 0.86
  • Average Knoxville, TN robberies per 1,000: 1.34
  • Average US thefts per 1,000: 15.95
  • Average Knoxville, TN thefts per 1,000: 35.19

What Does Restaurant Insurance Cover?

Restaurant insurance is always a secret sauce of combined coverages. Here’s a list of ingredients that your insurance agent can mix together to protect your business:  

  • General liability: Coverage if someone is hurt in your restaurant, including food poisoning. (Your independent insurance agent will make sure your policy doesn’t exclude communicable disease.)
  • Liquor liability: If you sell liquor, this coverage kicks in if someone gets drunk at your restaurant and hurts themselves or someone else.
  • Property: Coverage for your business’s physical assets, from buildings to decorations. It usually includes coverage for theft, fire, and natural disasters. 
  • Spoilage: Coverage for any food inventory that spoils during a power outage or similar difficulty.
  • Workers' compensation: This is required in the majority of US states. It’s coverage for your employees’ medical care and lost wages if they get injured while on the clock.
  • Boiler and machinery (equipment breakdown): Coverage for your equipment under a wide variety of circumstances, including mechanical breakdowns or power outages. You can use the insurance payout for repair and replacement of important restaurant equipment. 
  • Garagekeepers: If you have a valet service, this covers damage to patrons’ cars while using your parking service. 

What Kind of Restaurant Insurance Should I Get?

Restaurateurs who are launching their new venture may prefer to go with a standard restaurant insurance policy. This can be a great choice for coverage since it’s usually budget-friendly, convenient, and offers the best protection for the immediate future. 

Once your restaurant is more established, your independent agent can develop a customized insurance plan. This is particularly useful if you have invested in expensive appliances, catering vehicles, and furnishings. Some of the more basic, premade restaurant policies don’t have coverage for those extras. 

restaurant

Ready to Save On Restaurant Insurance?

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

How Much Does Knoxville Restaurant Insurance Cost?

Restaurant insurance premiums depend on a variety of factors, like your sales and niche. The more revenue you generate, the more insurance will probably cost. You’ll also super-size your insurance costs when you add a side of liquor liability or garagekeepers coverage (for valet services). 

The bland version of this answer: 

  • Small diners, food stands, food trucks: A few thousand dollars each year. 
  • Large, five-star restaurants: Possibly $10,000 or more each year. 
  • Chain (franchise) restaurants: Most costly premiums each year because of the high volume. 

Should I Talk to a Knoxville Independent Insurance Agent?

Each restaurant has special risks based on things like its location, cuisine, staff, and sales. An independent insurance agent in Knoxville can offer guidance while shopping around for the best, most affordable restaurant coverage for your food place.   

Reach out to an independent insurance agent with an office in or around Knoxville, TN to learn more. You’ll soon discover how easy it can truly be to design a comprehensive, yet cost-effective, restaurant insurance policy. 

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http://www.knoxvilletennessee.com/

https://www.city-data.com/city/Knoxville-Tennessee.html

https://www.neighborhoodscout.com

https://www.tasteofknoxville.com/

https://www.visitknoxville.com/

https://www.restaurant.org/