Mobile bartender insurance that protects your business
Alcohol and customers are always a risky mix, which is why mobile bartenders rely on insurance. Business insurance helps pay for legal costs when a customer is injured or their property is damaged. It also covers theft, data breaches, and medical bills if you're injured on the job.
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Insureon helps mobile bartenders compare insurance quotes for policies that match their business needs.
Fill out our easy online application to compare quotes from top-rated insurance providers.
What types of mobile bartender insurance do I need?
These policies cover the most common risks faced by mobile bartenders for weddings and other special events.
Business owner’s policy
Mobile bartenders who are eligible can bundle commercial property insurance and general liability coverage in a business owner's policy, or BOP. It costs less than buying the policies separately.
- Customer bodily injuries
- Stolen or damaged liquor
- Business interruption incidents
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for mobile bartending businesses that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical costs that health insurance won't cover.
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Workplace injury lawsuits
General liability insurance
A general liability policy covers third-party risks, such as customer injuries, property damage, and advertising injuries. Venues may require this coverage for mobile bartenders.
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Damaged customer property
- Libel and slander lawsuits
Commercial auto insurance
This policy covers legal costs in the event of an accident involving a mobile bartender's vehicle. Almost every state requires this coverage for vehicles owned by a business.
- Lawsuits from other drivers
- Property damaged by your vehicle
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Liquor liability insurance
Mobile bartenders depend on this policy for protection against legal fees when an intoxicated customer causes harm. It's needed because general liability excludes alcohol-related claims.
- Injuries caused by intoxicated customers
- Property damage caused by intoxicated customers
- Compliance with laws and contracts
Cyber insurance
This policy helps mobile bartenders recover financially from data breaches and cyberattacks. It’s sometimes called cyber liability insurance or cybersecurity insurance.
- Data breach notification costs
- Fraud monitoring services
- Cyber extortion payments
How much does mobile bartender insurance cost?
A mobile bartender who works at private events can expect to pay less for insurance than a bigger business.
Factors that affect your mobile bartender insurance cost include:
- Type of bartending service
- Business operations
- Where your business operates
- Bartending equipment and property
- Business revenue
- Types of insurance purchased
- Per-occurrence and aggregate policy limits
- Coverage options
How do I get mobile bartender insurance?
It's easy to get mobile bartending insurance, bar insurance, or catering insurance if you have your business information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your company, 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 insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right insurance coverage for your mobile bartending business, whether you work independently or hire employees.
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FAQs about mobile bartender insurance
Review answers to frequently asked questions about mobile bartending.
Do you need a liquor license to be a mobile bartender?
This depends on the regulations in your area. Typically, state laws require a liquor license when you sell alcoholic beverages. That's true regardless of whether you own a regular bar, a mobile bar, or a liquor store.
Factors that can affect whether you need a liquor license include:
- Your state and municipal laws
- Whether you're working a wet bar or a dry bar (a bar without a sink)
- Whether the liquor was already paid for before you served it
In some states, you might need a liquor liability insurance policy in order to get a liquor license. There may be additional requirements for mobile bartenders, such as serving alcohol and food together, or owning a commercial kitchen.
In states with dram shop laws, which place the responsibility for an intoxicated customer's actions on the business that served them, it's especially important to carry liquor liability coverage (also called dram shop insurance).
Can you buy bartender insurance for one-day events?
If you work as a mobile bartender at the occasional wedding or other special event, you might be tempted to buy one-day coverage when you need it. It's true that this can be a flexible and affordable way to buy insurance. However, there are several reasons to choose continuous coverage instead:
- Short-term coverage is costly. Insurance companies charge more when you cancel a policy and restart coverage. It's usually more cost-effective to buy continuous coverage.
- You're exposed to risk. In the times when you don't have coverage, you're unprotected. That could mean tremendous out-of-pocket costs in the event of a lawsuit, or a fire that destroys the business property you've stored until your next gig.
- It makes it harder to find work. Clients prefer to hire bartenders who have insurance, and you may need it to sign a contract. Having continuous insurance means you can pick up work as soon as it's available.
- It looks bad on your record. Insurance companies might deny coverage to a bartender with a high turnover of policies, which means it might be hard to get insurance when you need it.
For peace of mind, it's best to buy standard insurance, which means you're covered when you need it. If you don't want to pay the annual premium in full, there's also an option for small monthly payments.
What other types of insurance are recommended for a mobile bartending business?
Mobile bartenders for weddings, private parties, and other events should consider the following types of coverage:
- Product liability insurance: This policy helps pay for legal costs related to product defects, allergic reactions, foodborne illnesses, and similar claims.
- Inland marine insurance: Because commercial property insurance will only cover items at your business address, mobile bars need additional coverage for equipment and other property brought to venues. Inland marine insurance covers your business property wherever it goes.
- Hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA): Your personal auto policy won't cover business-related driving, which is why mobile bartenders need HNOA. This policy provides auto liability coverage for personal, leased, and rented vehicles used for work purposes.