Liquor Liability Insurance in Vermont

T.S. Peck Insurance
Liquor Liability Insurance Vermont

What is Liquor Liability Insurance?

In Vermont, if your establishment serves alcohol to a customer who is intoxicated, you become liable for any damages they may cause. Liquor liability insurance helps cover your expenses when you are sued due to damages caused by a customer.

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Liquor Liability Insurance Vermont

Why Do You Need Liquor Liability Insurance?

Liquor liability policies help pay for many of the costs associated with lawsuits due to injuries and damages by an intoxicated patron. This can include court costs, defense fees, medical expenses, settlements, and damages. Your coverage typically includes coverage for losses sustained by:

  • Drunk driving accidents
  • Assault and battery coverage for patrons who engage in a physical fight
  • Sexual assault and harassment
  • Slips, falls, and other personal injuries

For full coverage, your policy should include personal injury coverage, property damage coverage, and coverage for employees that may drink on the job.

Vermont Liquor Liability Legal Requirements

Like many other states, Vermont has laws regarding a business’s legal liability when it comes to the serving of alcoholic beverages. These so-called “Dram Shop” laws apply to restaurants, bars, liquor stores, taverns, and any other establishment which sells or serves alcohol.

In VT, if a person is injured in any way – physically, financially, or by loss of property – by an intoxicated person, the injured party can sue the person or business that served the intoxicated person. In other words, if you serve a customer who goes on to harm someone else, you are legally liable for the damages they cause if the customer is:

  • Under the age of 21
  • Appears to be intoxicated at the time of service
  • Served after legal serving hours
  • Or if the person is so intoxicated that it can be assumed the person was intoxicated when served

You can be sued by the injured party, their spouse, children, guardian, or employer.

Liquor Liability Insurance Vermont

Because VT allows for lawsuits in so many situations, businesses that serve alcohol are at a high risk of being sued at some point, and the damages could easily destroy your business. General liability and other insurance typically exclude coverage for situations involving intoxication. Liquor liability coverage can help protect you in many of these situations.

Vermont Policy Restrictions

Liquor liability coverage provides broad coverage for many situations that VT businesses face, but there are some cases that your insurance will not provide protection. Damages to your own property are not covered by liquor liability, nor are slander, libel, or similar charges.

Since underage drinking is illegal, if you serve an underage patron, your insurance will not provide coverage. It is up to you to train your employees to carefully check IDs to ensure that all patrons are over the age of 21. If you fail to do so and injuries or damages result, you are fully responsible for the costs.

Serving alcohol is part of the business for many Vermont restaurants and other establishments, but you must be aware of your legal liability. VT is considered to have some of the most liberal dram shop laws in the nation, putting your business at a greater risk possibility for being sued for injuries and damages. Liquor liability insurance can cover your financial interests in many of the situations that occur, providing you with broad protections for your alcohol-related liability.

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T.S. Peck Insurance

For questions or concerns, please contact our independent insurance agents.

Office: 41 IDX Drive, Suite 135
South Burlington, VT 05403

Office: 158 Lake St,
St Albans, VT 05478