🏈 40% of Bar & Restaurant Claims Happen During Sports Season: What Owners Need to Know

Football season is one of the most exciting times of year for restaurants and bars. Crowds pour in to watch the big games, order rounds of drinks, and celebrate with friends. While this boost in business can drive big profits, it also comes with heightened risks. In fact, studies show that nearly 40% of bar and restaurant liability claims occur during peak sports seasons — making fall a critical time to evaluate your coverage.

👉 Now’s the time to review your insurance coverage. At LG Insurance, we help restaurants and bars throughout New Jersey stay protected during their busiest seasons. Contact us today for a coverage check before kickoff.

🍻 Game Day Brings Big Risks for Restaurants & Bars

When the games are on, restaurants and bars transform into high-energy gathering spots. With that energy comes potential liability exposures:

• 🍺 Liquor Liability – Alcohol sales surge during football season. If a patron leaves intoxicated and causes harm to themselves or others, your establishment could be held responsible.
• 👥 Crowd Control – Larger groups mean more opportunities for altercations, accidents, or property damage. Even one fight can create costly claims.
• 🍔 Food Safety & Service – Game-day menus and fast-paced service put pressure on kitchens. Mistakes in food handling can lead to illness or injury, which could turn into lawsuits.
• 🪜 Slip-and-Fall Hazards – Spilled drinks, crowded floors, and slippery fall weather around entrances increase the chances of accidents.
• 👩‍🍳 Employee Safety – Staff are on their feet for longer shifts and dealing with higher stress levels. This makes workplace injuries more likely if protections aren’t in place.

📊 Stat to Know: Liquor-related incidents account for a significant portion of claims during football season, with average settlements ranging from $50,000 to $75,000. Without proper coverage, one incident could wipe out months of profit.

🛡️ How Insurance Protects You During Football Season

Insurance isn’t just a box to check — it’s your safety net during the busiest time of the year. Here are some coverages that matter most for restaurants and bars:

• 🍹 Liquor Liability Insurance – Covers claims related to serving alcohol. Without this, even one incident could put your business at risk.
• 🏢 General Liability Insurance – Protects against injuries or property damage that happen on your premises. A spilled drink and a broken ankle shouldn’t mean a financial nightmare.
• 👷 Workers’ Compensation Insurance – Required in most states, this ensures your team is covered if they get hurt on the job. Think of servers carrying heavy trays or bartenders working long shifts.
• 🔥 Property Insurance – Football season means heavy use of TVs, sound systems, and kitchen equipment. Property coverage ensures these essentials are protected in case of fire, theft, or other damage.
• 🌐 Cyber Liability Insurance – Many restaurants now use online ordering systems and store customer payment info. A cyberattack during a busy weekend could cost thousands without protection.

🏟️ Real-World Scenarios That Could Happen on Game Day

Sometimes the best way to understand the importance of coverage is to picture it in action:

• A patron leaves your bar intoxicated, gets in a car accident, and injures someone. Liquor liability insurance is what helps protect your business from the fallout.
• Your staff is rushing during halftime, and a server slips carrying drinks, injuring their back. Workers’ comp covers their medical bills and lost wages.
• A packed crowd accidentally damages your furniture and TVs while celebrating a last-minute touchdown. Property insurance helps replace what’s broken.
• A customer claims they slipped on a wet floor near your entrance and sues. General liability coverage helps handle the legal costs and settlement.

✅ Proactive Steps to Reduce Liability Before Kickoff

Insurance is critical, but prevention is just as important. Here are some ways to reduce risks:

• Train staff on responsible serving and conflict de-escalation.
• Increase security or floor staff on high-traffic game days.
• Post visible signage reminding guests to drink responsibly.
• Clean spills immediately and place mats near entrances to handle wet weather.
• Rotate shifts so staff aren’t overworked during long weekends.
• Review policies with your insurance advisor to confirm coverage limits are high enough for seasonal surges.

🏆 Final Whistle: Protecting Your Business This Season

Football season is a huge opportunity for restaurants and bars to increase revenue, build loyal customers, and create unforgettable game-day experiences. But with the excitement comes added risk. By pairing smart business practices with the right insurance protection, you can make sure your business is set up for success — not liability headaches.

👉 Don’t wait until the big game to find out where your coverage falls short. Contact LG Insurance today to review your policies, make adjustments where needed, and ensure your restaurant or bar is protected from kickoff through the championship game.