This section includes frequently asked questions about Hospitality Mutual, liquor liability and alcohol awareness training classes. For additional information, see About Hospitality Mutual and Massachusetts Liquor Laws, contact your insurance agent, or contact Hospitality Mutual today.

Who is eligible for liquor liability insurance through Hospitality Mutual? ^TOP
Hospitality Mutual's liquor liability insurance and CGL is available for owners of taverns, hotels, restaurants, social clubs, package stores, caterers and all other businesses that sell alcoholic beverages.

What does a liquor liability policy from Hospitality Mutual provide? ^TOP
Hospitality Mutual provides comprehensive coverage of up to $1 million per person/$1 million per occurrence/ $2 million aggregate. (1 million/$1 million/2 million) for bodily injury with no deductibles and unlimited reimbursement for attorney's fees.

Hospitality Mutual provides comprehensive coverage for bodily injury with no deductibles, no aggregate limits and unlimited reimbursement for attorney's fees. A liability case in Massachusetts resulted in an award of more than $26 million! If you have multiple incidents, Hospitality Mutual coverage doesn't count awards from past cases.

What does a commercial general liability (CGL) policy from Hospitality Mutual provide? ^TOP
Hospitality Mutual’s CGL insurance provides comprehensive coverage of up to $1 million per person/ $2 million per occurrence with no deductibles and unlimited reimbursement for attorney's fees.

What does excess coverage from Hospitality Mutual provide? ^TOP
Hospitality Mutual’s excess coverage provides comprehensive coverage of up to $3 million with no deductibles and unlimited reimbursement for attorney's fees. It is available only to businesses that purchase liquor liability and general liability coverage through Hospitality Mutual

How can I qualify for a discount on my insurance? ^TOP
A 10% discount is available for insureds if 100% of managers and 75% of servers participate in an approved alcohol-awareness training program. For a list of approved programs, click here.

A 10% discount is available for establishments that close by 8 p.m.

A 50% discount is available for assault and battery coverage if 100% of managers and 75% of non-management staff participate in an approved security training program. For a listing of approved programs, click here.

Where are approved alcohol consumption awareness training programs available? ^TOP
For a schedule of approved alcohol-awareness training programs in your area, contact the Massachusetts Restaurant Association at 508-366-4144, or Hospitality Mutual at 508-366-1140 or 877-366-1140, or click here.

All of my assets are in my spouse's name. Does this protect me from liquor
liability? ^TOP
It is still a common practice for bar owners (who are predominantly men) to put ownership of their assets in their wives' name. This used to be sufficient to protect your business. Today, you could be charged with fraudulent conveyance and still lose all of your property.

How much liquor liability coverage do I need and how much does it cost? ^TOP
Hospitality Mutual provides comprehensive coverage of up to $1 million per person/ $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate. (1 million/$1 million/2 million) for bodily injury with no deductibles and unlimited reimbursement for attorney's fees. Hospitality Mutual offers comprehensive coverage of up to $2 million per person and $2 million per occurrence ($2 million/$2 million) with no deductibles and no aggregate limits. The cost of coverage depends on sales volume, whether the premises provides entertainment, whether staff has alcohol awareness training and other factors. Coverage can cost as little as a few dollars a day.

How much CGL coverage can I purchase and what does it cost? ^TOP
Hospitality Mutual provides comprehensive CGL coverage of up to $1 million per person/$2 million per occurrence. Those who have both liquor liability and CGL coverage through Hospitality Mutual can also obtain excess coverage up to $3 million for a total of $4 million in coverage.

The cost of CGL and excess coverage varies based on past claims history, the size and location of your business, and many other factors. Contact your insurance agent or Hospitality Mutual for a quote.

When should I report a claim? ^TOP
If you become aware of any bodily injury that may result in a claim, you must notify Hospitality Mutual or your agent promptly. Not only is prompt notification a condition of your policy, it is also in your best interest. Prompt reporting ensures that details are captured accurately, before memories fade. It also enables us to contact witnesses quickly, while we can still reach them.

How do I report a claim? ^TOP
Visit the "Report A Claim" section of this Web site, e-mail dmarchant@hmic.com or call us toll free at 877-366-1140.