Why do arcades need insurance?
From laser tag to go-karts, arcades offer a wide range of entertainment and face a variety of risks. Business insurance helps pay for everything from customer slip-and-fall injuries to employee hearing loss from prolonged exposure to noise. State laws and commercial leases may require coverage.

Find affordable coverage
Arcade owners can save money on insurance by comparing quotes from top-rated providers.
Fill out Insureon's easy online application to get free quotes and advice from our licensed agents.
What types of business insurance do arcades need?
These insurance policies cover the most common risks at arcades.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy covers basic third-party risks, such as a customer who trips on a power cord and breaks their ankle. Most jurisdictions require liability insurance for arcades.
- Customer injuries
- Accidental damage to a customer's property
- Libel and other advertising injuries
Business owner's policy
A BOP bundles commercial property insurance and general liability coverage under one plan. It's often the most cost-effective type of commercial insurance for an arcade.
- Injuries caused by an accident
- Accidents that damage property
- Stolen or damaged business property
Professional liability insurance
This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O), covers lawsuits related to professional negligence. You can often combine it with a general liability policy or BOP.
- Accusations of poor quality
- Failure to deliver promised services
- Booking errors for parties
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for arcades with employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
- Work-related medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Lawsuits from employee injuries
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance covers financial losses when an arcade's vehicle is involved in an accident. Most states require this coverage for vehicles registered to a business.
- Property damage caused by your vehicle
- Bodily injuries from an auto accident
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance, or cybersecurity insurance, helps arcades recover from costly data breaches and cyberattacks. It's recommended for any business that stores personal information.
- Customer notification costs
- Data breach investigations
- Fraud monitoring services
How much is insurance for an arcade?

A small retro arcade with only a few games will likely pay less for insurance than a large family fun center that offers mini golf.
Factors that affect business insurance costs include:
- Whether you run a dry arcade or serve alcohol
- Events you offer, such as video game tournaments or birthday parties
- Value of your arcade games, pool tables, and other property
- Business income
- Types of insurance purchased
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Any endorsements, such as an additional insured
How do I get arcade insurance?
It's easy to get arcade insurance and other entertainment center insurance if you have your company information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance quotes and choose a policy.
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate.
Insureon's licensed agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right insurance solutions for arcades and family amusement centers. Find coverage for a wide range of risks, from bowling alleys to driving ranges, batting cages, escape rooms, miniature golf, laser tag, and more.
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FAQs about business insurance for arcades
Review answers to common questions about arcade insurance coverage.
Can I get arcade insurance for a one-time event?
Yes, it's possible to buy one-day special event insurance or short-term liability insurance. For instance, you could buy single-event insurance for a corporate party, or seasonal insurance for a virtual reality (VR) experience centered around a specific holiday.
However, there are several reasons to opt for year-round coverage instead:
- It's expensive to stop and start coverage. Arcades that cancel their policies may see increased premiums or have difficulty restarting coverage, as it's a red flag for insurers.
- It may cost more in the long run. Going without insurance leaves you exposed to costly risks. For example, a beach arcade could be damaged by a fire or storm during the off-season when it's closed and uninsured.
- Some policies won't provide coverage. Occurrence-based policies like general liability continue to cover incidents that happened when you were insured, but that's not the case for claims-made policies like professional liability insurance, which differ in several ways. For protection against lawsuits filed after an event occurs, you'll need to keep your professional liability coverage active.
What factors affect the cost of arcade insurance?
Some of the top factors that affect the cost of arcade insurance include:
- Annual revenue: In general, businesses that earn more revenue are associated with costlier claims, which means they pay more for insurance.
- Number of employees: A bigger workforce means an increased risk of accidents and injuries, which raises the cost of general liability, workers' comp, and similar policies.
- Equipment value: It'll cost more to insure expensive equipment, such as high-end racing simulators, VR stations, and luxury pinball machines.
- Location: Localized factors such as crime rate, healthcare costs, foot traffic, risk of natural disasters, and property values can impact your insurance premiums.
- Security and risk management: Insurance companies may offer lower rates to arcades that have tamper-resistant machines, restricted access, and advanced camera systems.
- Policy limits and deductibles: You can save money on insurance by opting for lower limits or higher deductibles on your policies, but make sure it's enough to cover a potential claim.
- Claims history: An arcade that has filed insurance claims in the past will cost more to insure than one with a clean claims history.
What other types of coverage are essential for an arcade business?
Arcade owners often invest in the following insurance products to protect against unexpected out-of-pocket costs:
- Commercial property insurance covers your building, arcade machines, cash registers, and other property at your business location in the event of a fire, storm, or burglary.
- Inland marine insurance protects items in transit and used off-site, such as arcade games brought to a tournament venue.
- Business interruption insurance helps your arcade recover from a forced closure due to a fire or other covered property claim. It's also called business income insurance.
- Equipment breakdown insurance protects against financial losses caused by the unexpected failure of an arcade machine.
- Commercial umbrella insurance, similar to excess liability insurance, provides coverage when your general liability, commercial auto, or employer's liability insurance reaches the limit on a claim.
- Liquor liability insurance covers legal costs if a customer becomes intoxicated at your arcade and goes on to harm someone or damage their property. It's essential if you own a barcade or otherwise sell or serve alcohol.
Our agents can help you find any specialty insurance policies you may need and answer any questions about coverage.
