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Learn about license requirements and the most common restaurant insurance policies in Florida.
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What are the most common policies for restaurants in Florida?
Restaurants may need different types of coverage depending on the food and drinks they serve and their location. These are the most popular restaurant insurance policies for Florida food establishments to protect against potential risks and financial losses.
Business owner's policy
A BOP bundles commercial property insurance and general liability insurance under one plan. It’s one of the most popular and cost-effective options for Florida restaurants.
BEST FOR
- Food contamination and spoilage
- Business property coverage
- Business interruption incidents and closures
Workers’ compensation insurance
Florida requires workers' comp for food service businesses that have four or more employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Legal costs from employee injuries
General liability insurance
This insurance policy provides liability coverage and financial protection from common third-party business risks, such as a customer slip-and-fall accident at your food service business.
BEST FOR
- Customer bodily injuries
- Damaged customer property
- Product liability lawsuits
Commercial auto insurance
This policy covers the cost of accidents involving any delivery vehicles owned by your restaurant, including damage caused to another person's car and medical bills.
BEST FOR
- Medical bills from accidents
- Property damage from accidents
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Liquor liability insurance
This policy covers legal fees, property damage, and medical costs if alcohol is served or sold at your restaurant to a visibly intoxicated person who then proceeds to harm others.
BEST FOR
- Injuries caused by intoxicated patrons
- Property damage caused by intoxicated patrons
- Legal defense costs
Cyber insurance
Cyber liability insurance helps restaurants recover from cyberattacks and data breaches. It's recommended for any business that stores customer information.
BEST FOR
- Data breach notification costs
- Fraud monitoring services
- Cyber extortion payments
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
Which policies are required for restaurants in Florida?
Whether you're in Miami, Jacksonville, or elsewhere in Florida, you may need the following types of restaurant business insurance to comply with local laws:
Workers' compensation insurance
To meet state requirements and operate legally in Florida, restaurant owners with four or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance, which helps pay for medical expenses and disability benefits if a worker is injured or becomes ill on the job.
Independent contractors and sole proprietors without employees aren’t required to carry workers’ comp. However, many choose to purchase coverage for added protection, since personal health insurance typically doesn't cover work-related injuries or illnesses.
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance covers property damage and medical bills resulting from an accident involving your restaurant business's vehicle. Depending on the coverage options you choose, it can also pay for vehicle theft, weather damage, and vandalism.
Minimum auto liability requirements for Florida businesses are:
- $10,000 in property damage liability
- $10,000 in personal injury liability protection (PIP)
For vehicles that are used by the business but are leased, rented, or otherwise not owned by the company, you'll need a separate policy called hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA). This policy provides liability insurance but it does not cover damage to the insured vehicle.
Personal auto insurance will typically not cover any driving for business purposes, which is why you may need supplemental coverage.
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Do I need a license or permit for my restaurant in Florida?
Yes. Restaurant owners in Florida may need several licenses and permits before opening or operating their business. Specific requirements can vary depending on your city or county, but most restaurants need the following:
- Business license: Also known as a local business tax receipt, this is required by most Florida cities or counties to legally operate a restaurant.
- Certificate of occupancy: Issued by your local building or zoning department to confirm the space meets building codes and is approved for restaurant use.
- Food service license: Issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), this license is required for restaurants that prepare and serve food.
- Food handler or food manager certification: Employees who prepare or serve food may be required to complete food safety training to comply with state and local regulations.
- Seller’s permit: If your restaurant sells taxable goods, you must register with the Florida Department of Revenue to collect and remit sales tax.
- Health permit: Issued after an inspection to ensure your restaurant meets food safety and sanitation standards. Inspections are typically conducted by the DBPR or local health authorities, depending on the type of establishment.
- Liquor license: Required if your restaurant serves beer, wine, or spirits. Liquor licenses are issued by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
- Catering license: While Florida doesn’t issue a standalone catering license, restaurants offering off-site catering must comply with food service licensing rules and may need additional approvals depending on where food is prepared and served.
- Employee health permit: Some counties may require additional health-related permits or documentation for restaurant staff.
Additional permits may be needed depending on your operations, such as mobile food permits for food trucks or zoning and building permits for brick-and-mortar locations.
To get your license, you'll likely need to take an exam, have a certain amount of experience, pass a background check, and pay a fee.
How much you'll pay for the fee depends on whether or not you are the sole owner of the business. Additionally, your restaurant insurance coverage premiums will vary depending on the type of work you do, whether you have employees, and other factors.
How much does restaurant insurance cost in Florida?
A fast food restaurant that focuses on takeout will pay less for insurance than a large coffee shop or fine dining restaurant.
In Florida, restaurant business owners who buy policies from Insureon pay an average of:
General liability: $49 per month
Workers' compensation: $54 per month
Business owner's policy: $76 per month
Factors that affect restaurant insurance costs include:
- Kitchen equipment and property
- Business income
- Types of business insurance purchased, such as equipment breakdown and umbrella insurance
- Coverage options, such as policy limits and exclusions
- Location, such as Orlando or Tampa
- Number of employees
- Property and liability claims history
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How do I get Florida restaurant insurance?
Insureon helps you save time and money shopping for restaurant liability insurance by comparing quotes from top U.S. insurance companies.
Our insurance agents are licensed in Florida and can answer your questions as you consider coverage.
To make the application go quicker, have this information ready:
- Workforce details, such as the number of employees and restaurant operations
- Current and projected revenue
- Business partnerships
- Desired coverage limits
- Claims history
- Commercial lease insurance requirements
Apply for free insurance quotes today to find cheap restaurant insurance that fits your business needs. Most small business owners receive a certificate of insurance for proof of insurance the same day.