Hotel & Restaurant Insurance NY & NJ | Liquor Liability, GL, Workers Comp | ISOM Brokerage Inc
NEW: NJ Senate Bill 1299 expands minimum liquor liability requirements for additional NJ license holders | Standard GL policies do not cover dram shop claims in NY or NJGet covered →
New York — GOL §11-101 Dram Shop
New Jersey — N.J.S.A. 2A:22A-4
Hotels & Motels
Restaurants & Diners
Bars & Nightclubs
Banquet Halls
Pizzerias & Diners
Cafés & Coffee Shops
World Cup 2026
Food Trucks
NJ SB 1299 — $500K Min. Coverage
New York — GOL §11-101 Dram Shop
New Jersey — N.J.S.A. 2A:22A-4
Hotels & Motels
Restaurants & Diners
Bars & Nightclubs
Banquet Halls
Pizzerias & Diners
Cafés & Coffee Shops
World Cup 2026
Food Trucks
NJ SB 1299 — $500K Min. Coverage
Licensed NY & NJ Hospitality Insurance Broker
Hotel & Restaurant Insurance in NY & NJ — Done Right.
Whether you run a hotel in Manhattan, a bar in Jersey City, or a diner in Newark — New York and New Jersey have some of the toughest hospitality liability laws in the country. We place the complete package that actually protects your business.
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Have ready: your liquor license number, annual alcohol revenue %, and current policy expiration date.
Legal Exposure You Can’t Ignore
Key Laws Every NY & NJ Hospitality Owner Should Know
Standard commercial policies routinely miss these state-specific liabilities. One gap can cost you everything.
11-101
NY Dram Shop Act — General Obligations Law § 11-101
New York’s Dram Shop Act creates potential civil liability for establishments that serve alcohol to someone who goes on to cause injury or harm to others. It applies to commercial alcohol sales and covers incidents on and off your premises.
Applies to all commercial alcohol-serving establishments statewide
11-100
Minor Alcohol Liability — General Obligations Law § 11-100
Section 11-100 addresses the furnishing of alcohol to individuals under the age of 21. This statute applies broadly — not just to traditional bars and restaurants, but to hotel lounges, banquet halls, caterers, and package stores.
Applies to all establishments where alcohol is served or sold
ABC
NY Alcoholic Beverage Control — ABC Law § 65
NY’s ABC Law § 65 governs the lawful sale of alcohol and works alongside the dram shop statutes. Violations can trigger regulatory penalties. Note: ABC §65 primarily creates regulatory/criminal exposure; civil liability flows from the GOL dram shop statutes.
NYC hotel occupancy ranked #1 in the US — more guests means more exposure
GL
The Liquor Exclusion in Standard GL Policies
Standard commercial general liability policies typically contain a liquor exclusion that removes coverage for alcohol-related claims. If your business sells, serves, or profits from alcohol in any way, your GL policy is unlikely to respond to a dram shop claim.
A separate standalone liquor liability policy is essential
2A
NJ Dram Shop Law — N.J.S.A. 2A:22A-4
New Jersey’s dram shop law creates potential civil liability for establishments that serve alcohol to patrons who subsequently cause injury or harm. Incidents occurring off your premises — such as a car accident — may still expose your business to liability.
Applies to all NJ commercial establishments serving or selling alcohol
SB
NJ Senate Bill 1299 — Expanded Coverage Mandate
New Jersey has required a $500,000 minimum in alcoholic beverage liability insurance for certain ABC license holders since P.L. 1989, c.51. SB 1299 expands this mandate to additional license categories — including brewery, winery, and retail consumption license holders — that were previously not covered by the original requirement. Proof must be submitted to the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Non-compliance puts your liquor license at risk.
Proof of coverage required — non-compliance risks your liquor license
GL
The Liquor Exclusion in Standard GL Policies
Standard commercial general liability policies typically contain an Absolute Liquor Exclusion that eliminates coverage for any alcohol-related claim. A separate, standalone liquor liability policy is the right tool to fill this gap — and required under NJ’s SB 1299 for covered license holders.
18,279+ NJ food service businesses — many are unaware of this coverage gap
Your current GL policy almost certainly excludes liquor liability in both states.
Whether you operate in New York, New Jersey, or both — standard General Liability policies have an Absolute Liquor Exclusion that eliminates coverage for any alcohol-related claim. We verify your current coverage gaps at no charge. Call 718-530-1776 today.
⚽ World Cup 2026 — NY + NJ
The Biggest Hospitality Event in History Is Coming to Your Market
MetLife Stadium (NJ) and NYC venues are primary sites for the 2026 World Cup tournament. The event is projected to drive 1.2 million visitors to the combined NY/NJ region and generate an estimated $3.3 billion in economic impact.¹ Hotels, restaurants, and bars across the entire metro area will see record traffic. That surge in guests means a surge in liability exposure. Are your limits sized for the volume?
1.2MVisitors to NY/NJ Region ¹
$3.3BEstimated Economic Impact ¹
$1.8BProjected Direct Spending ¹
66.3MNYC Visitors Projected 2026 ²
ISOM Brokerage Inc is not affiliated with or endorsed by any tournament organizer. References to the 2026 World Cup are informational only.
We close the coverage gaps that standard policies miss — specific to the New York and New Jersey hospitality market.
Hotels & Hospitality
Commercial Property Insurance
Building, furnishings, equipment, lobby, HVAC. Coverage for fire, theft, vandalism, and storm.
General Liability (GL)
Guest bodily injury, property damage, third-party lawsuits — the foundation of any hotel policy in NY and NJ.
Liquor Liability / Dram Shop
Strongly recommended for hotel bars, lounges, banquet operations, and room service in both NY and NJ. Required under NJ’s minimum mandate (P.L. 1989 / SB 1299) for covered license holders. Standard GL does not cover dram shop claims in either state.
Business Interruption Insurance
Replaces lost room revenue when a covered loss forces your hotel to close. In a high-occupancy market like NYC, even a short closure is costly.
Workers’ Compensation (Required)
Mandatory in both NY and NJ for any employee. Covers housekeeping injuries, kitchen accidents, front-desk staff.
Cyber Liability
Hotels store guest credit cards, passport data, and PII. NYC’s data breach notification laws create immediate legal obligations.
Innkeeper’s Legal Liability
Hotels have a legal duty to protect guests’ belongings. Innkeeper’s liability covers losses to guest property under NY GBL §201 and NJ statute.
Commercial Auto
Airport shuttles, guest transport vans. Personal auto insurance does not cover commercial vehicle use in either state.
Restaurants & Food Service
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
The most cost-effective way to bundle GL + commercial property for NY and NJ restaurants.
Liquor Liability / Dram Shop
Standalone, separate from your GL policy. Mandated in NJ for covered license holders under state minimum requirements (P.L. 1989 / SB 1299 expansion). In NY, covers your exposure under GOL §11-100 and §11-101. Standard GL policies exclude this exposure in both states.
Food Contamination Coverage
Health department shutdown, food spoilage, contamination events. NYC’s 25,000+ restaurants face some of the most aggressive health inspections in the country.
Equipment Breakdown
Walk-in coolers, ovens, fryers, espresso machines. Standard property policies typically exclude mechanical breakdown.
Workers’ Comp (Legally Mandated in Both States)
Mandatory under NY WCL and NJ statute for any employee. Kitchen environments have some of the highest injury rates of any industry — burns, cuts, slips.
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)
High turnover, tip disputes, wage claims, and harassment suits are endemic in the restaurant industry. EPLI covers wrongful termination and wage-and-hour claims.
Assault & Battery Coverage
Often excluded from standard GL — essential for NYC and NJ bars and late-night establishments where altercations lead to serious claims.
Commercial Auto (Food Trucks & Delivery)
If you run a food truck, delivery vehicle, or catering van — personal auto is void for business use. Required in both NY and NJ.
Who We Insure
We Cover Every Type of Hospitality Business — Both States
Hotels & Motels
Full-service, boutique, budget, extended-stay
NY + NJ
Bars & Nightclubs
Sports bars, cocktail bars, lounges, nightclubs
NY + NJ
Pizzerias & Diners
NYC pizza, NJ diners — the region’s icons
NY + NJ
Banquet Halls
Weddings, corporate events, private parties
NY + NJ
Breweries & Taprooms
Craft beer, wineries, tasting rooms — SB 1299
NJ Mandated
Cafés & Coffee Shops
Independent cafes, franchise, specialty roasters
NY + NJ
Food Trucks
Mobile vendors, catering trucks, pop-ups
NY + NJ
Inns & B&Bs
Bed & breakfasts, boutique inns, lodges
NY + NJ
25+
Years of Team Experience Placing Commercial Coverage
15 Min
Average Response on Quote Requests
40+
Carrier Relationships Across Both States
Same Day
COI Issuance After Coverage Bound
How It Works
Get Hospitality Coverage in Four Simple Steps
1
Submit Your Info
Fill the form or call us. Takes under 3 minutes. Tell us which state(s) you operate in.
2
Risk Review
Our NY/NJ hospitality specialist reviews your specific exposure — liquor, GL, property — within 15 minutes.
3
We Shop Carriers
We quote your risk across multiple carriers in both states to find the best coverage at the right price.
4
Bound & COI Issued
Coverage bound for NY, NJ, or both. Same-day certificate of insurance issued.
Carrier availability varies by risk type, state, and underwriting criteria. Not all carriers shown write all lines.
What Our Clients Say
Hospitality Owners Across NY & NJ Trust ISOM
“
Irish Whiskey Bar
Bar & Lounge — New York, NY
“We’d been running on a basic GL for two years without knowing the liquor exclusion meant we had no real protection. ISOM flagged it immediately, placed a standalone dram shop policy within a day, and the premium was better than we expected. They know exactly what a NYC bar needs.”
“
Unique Lounge
Nightclub & Lounge — New York, NY
“Finding assault and battery coverage for a late-night lounge in New York is not easy — most brokers couldn’t place it. ISOM came back with two options the same week, including liquor liability and GL in one package. Responsive, professional, and they actually understand the nightlife business.”
Common Questions
Hospitality Insurance FAQs — NY & NJ
Does New York require liquor liability insurance for restaurants and bars?
New York does not have a universal state law mandating liquor liability insurance the way NJ’s SB 1299 does for certain licensees. However, NY’s State Liquor Authority (SLA) typically expects proof of liability coverage, and most NYC landlords and commercial lenders require it in lease and loan agreements. More importantly, NY’s dram shop laws create meaningful legal exposure for any establishment that serves alcohol — and standard GL policies do not cover those claims. For any NY bar, restaurant, or hotel with a lounge, a standalone liquor liability policy is strongly advisable. We recommend consulting with your own attorney for specific legal guidance.
What’s the key difference between NY and NJ dram shop liability?
Both states have dram shop laws that can create civil liability for businesses that serve alcohol to patrons who go on to cause harm. New York’s law is found in General Obligations Law § 11-100 and § 11-101, while New Jersey’s is codified at N.J.S.A. 2A:22A-4. The key practical takeaway for both states is the same: a standard GL policy does not cover these claims, and both laws can apply to incidents that occur after a patron has left your establishment. Call us at 718-530-1776 for specific coverage guidance.
I have locations in both NY and NJ — can you handle both with one broker?
Yes — this is exactly what we do. As a licensed broker in both New York and New Jersey, ISOM Brokerage Inc can place and manage coverage across both states through a single point of contact. We understand the distinct regulatory requirements and carrier appetite in each market. Multi-state accounts often benefit from coordinated program structure and unified umbrella coverage. Call us to discuss your specific footprint.
What does liquor liability insurance actually cover?
A liquor liability policy is designed to cover: legal defense costs if your business is sued for a dram shop claim, bodily injury settlements including medical bills and lost wages for injured third parties, property damage claims caused by an intoxicated patron, and wrongful death lawsuit defense and settlement costs. Some policies also include assault and battery coverage, which is often excluded from standard GL. Coverage terms, limits, and exclusions vary by carrier and policy — we review your specific options with you so you know exactly what you’re getting before you buy.
How much does hospitality insurance cost in New York vs. New Jersey?
Costs vary significantly based on your business type, location, size, alcohol-to-food revenue ratio, claims history, and the specific coverages you need. New York is generally a more expensive market than New Jersey due to the litigation climate, population density, and the complexity of NYC operations. The best way to know your actual cost is to get a quote. Call us at 718-530-1776 and we’ll shop your risk across multiple carriers to find you the most competitive option.
What is NJ Senate Bill 1299 and does it affect my business?
NJ Senate Bill 1299 is newly enacted legislation that requires holders of brewery, winery, and retail consumption liquor licenses to carry a minimum of $500,000 in alcoholic beverage liability (liquor liability) insurance. License holders must provide proof of insurance to the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control within 60 days of the law’s effective date. Non-compliance puts your liquor license at risk. Call us — we can get you compliant quickly.
One Phone Call Covers New York & New Jersey.
From a hotel bar in Midtown to a diner in Newark — we place the commercial insurance that actually holds up when a claim hits. Licensed in both states. Same-day COIs. We respond in 15 minutes.
Licensed in New York & New Jersey • 595 Stewart Ave, Suite 550, Garden City, NY 11530 • ISOM Brokerage Inc. • This page is for informational purposes only, does not constitute a binding quote, and does not constitute legal advice. Coverage descriptions are general in nature — actual policy terms, conditions, and exclusions govern. Consult a licensed attorney for legal guidance specific to your situation.