For restaurants, cafes and food trucks across Middle Tennessee
Restaurant Insurance for Middle Tennessee Businesses
Hi, I’m Dustin Rodgers. You feed this community, and I’d like to help protect the place you’ve built, from the kitchen and the walk-in to the people who work for you. Call us, or request a quote below.
Local help for local restaurants
Talk with a real person on Providence Pkwy about your restaurant.
The short answer
What insurance does a restaurant in Tennessee need?
Most restaurants look at general liability, property coverage for the space and equipment, and workers’ comp once they have five or more employees. If you serve alcohol, ask about liquor liability. Your lease or landlord may set requirements too.
Whether you run a food truck or a full dining room, we’ll sit down with you, learn how your restaurant works, and explain options in plain language.
Coverage
What coverage can we help your restaurant with?
We can help you look at general liability, property and business income, liquor liability, workers’ comp, equipment breakdown, hired and non-owned auto, and a commercial umbrella. Coverage is subject to policy terms, underwriting and availability. Which coverages are available depends on carrier eligibility and underwriting, and every policy has its own limits, exclusions and terms. We’ll go over what applies to your business before you decide anything.
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General liability
Can help with claims that a customer was hurt or their property damaged, like a slip on a wet floor.
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Workers’ compensation
Can help pay medical bills and part of lost wages if an employee is hurt, like a burn or cut in the kitchen.
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Hired and non-owned auto
For employees who make deliveries or run errands in their own cars.
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Equipment breakdown
Can help with covered breakdowns of coolers, ovens and other equipment, where available.
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Liquor liability
If you serve alcohol, ask about coverage for claims tied to serving it.
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Commercial umbrella
Extra liability above your other policies, for when a lease or larger risk calls for it.
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Property and business income
Can help protect your building or improvements, equipment, inventory and lost income after a covered loss.
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Food spoilage
Ask how your policy handles food lost when a cooler fails or the power goes out.
Which coverages are available depends on carrier eligibility and underwriting, and every policy has its own limits, exclusions and terms. We’ll go over what applies to your business before you decide anything.
Workers’ comp in Tennessee
Do I need workers’ comp in Tennessee?
Sources: Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation: Who Must Carry Insurance
- Five employees or moreMost Tennessee businesses outside construction generally need workers’ comp once they have five or more employees, including part-time workers.
- Owners and officersHow owners, partners and corporate officers are counted can vary by business structure. We’ll go over yours.
- A 1099 doesn’t settle itThe state looks at how the work is controlled, not just how someone is paid. A worker you pay on a 1099 may still count as an employee.
Know your risks
What risks come with running a restaurant?
Slips, kitchen fires, burns and spoiled food are some of the worries we hear most. Policies handle them differently, so it helps to know how yours responds.
- Slips and fallsWet floors and busy dining rooms. Ask how your general liability responds.
- Kitchen firesGrease fires can damage your space and close you down. Ask about business income.
- Employee injuriesBurns, cuts and lifting injuries are common in busy kitchens.
- Spoiled foodA cooler or power failure can mean lost inventory.
- Serving alcoholClaims tied to serving alcohol may need their own coverage.
Leases, contracts and requirements
Leases, permits and requirements for restaurants
Your landlord, lender or a catering client may ask for specific coverage. Alcohol sales are licensed separately in Tennessee. Bring your lease and any requirements to us.
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Your lease
Many leases ask for certain liability coverage and for the landlord to be listed on your policy. Send us the insurance section of your lease.
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Serving alcohol
Selling or serving alcohol in Tennessee generally involves state and local permits; the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission has the current rules. If you serve it, ask us about liquor liability.
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Catering and events
Event venues often ask for a certificate of insurance before you set up.
We’re an insurance agency, not a licensing office or attorney. Rules change, and cities and counties can add their own, so always confirm current requirements with the right state or local office.
Certificates of insurance
Need a certificate of insurance?
Landlords, lenders, event venues and clients often want a certificate of insurance. Call us at 615-562-5100 with the certificate holder’s name and address and what they’re asking for.
A certificate only shows the coverage your policy already has. It can’t add coverage or change your policy. Additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary and noncontributory requests depend on your policy’s terms, so send those to us early and we’ll tell you what’s possible.
What to have ready when you call
- The certificate holder: Their full legal name and mailing address.
- The job: The project name or address, if they want it listed.
- Their requirements: The insurance page of the contract, or the list of limits and endorsements they asked for.
Areas we serve
Where do we work with restaurants, cafes and food trucks?
Our only office is in Mt. Juliet, and we work with businesses in Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Watertown, Hermitage, Old Hickory, Nashville, Gallatin, Hendersonville and the rest of Middle Tennessee, all from our Mt. Juliet office.
- Wilson CountyMt. Juliet, Lebanon and WatertownHome of our office on Providence Pkwy.
- Davidson CountyHermitage, Old Hickory, Donelson and NashvilleWest on I-40 and Lebanon Rd.
- Sumner CountyGallatin and HendersonvilleNorth across Old Hickory Lake.
- All of Middle TennesseeMiddle TennesseeAnywhere in Middle Tennessee. Most of what you need can be handled by phone and email, and you’re always welcome at the office.
Our office sits on Providence Pkwy, just off I-40 in Mt. Juliet. We work with local businesses from Lebanon and Watertown to Hermitage, Nashville, Gallatin and Hendersonville. Wherever your business is, you can call one local office for your coverage.
Getting started
How does getting a quote work?
Call or request a quote
Call 615-562-5100 or use the form below. Tell us what kind of work you do and who you work for.
We talk it through
We’ll ask about your business, your staff, your space, vehicles and any lease or contract requirements, and explain your options in plain language.
You decide
We’ll go over the coverage options available to you, what each one does and what it costs, so you can choose what fits. No pressure.
More for Middle Tennessee businesses: retail store insurance, professional office insurance, business auto insurance and small business insurance. In the trades? See our insurance for contractors. Not sure where to start? Read how much business insurance you may need.
Your agent
Meet Dustin Rodgers
I’m Dustin Rodgers, and I run Rodgers Insurance Agency from our office on Providence Pkwy in Mt. Juliet. I grew up in Middle Tennessee, and a lot of the people I work with are small business owners who build, fix and maintain this area for a living. I’ve been in the insurance business since March 2011.
When you call, you’ll talk with me or someone on my team who knows your file. We’ll listen to how your business actually runs, explain things in plain language, and be here when you need a certificate, a policy change or help with a claim.
- TN Insurance License #2027275
- In the insurance business since March 2011
- Trevecca Nazarene University
- Hume Fogg Academic High School
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated
Do restaurants in Tennessee need workers’ comp?
Generally, if you have five or more employees, including part-time. How owners and officers are counted can vary. We’ll go over your situation.
What does general liability cover for a restaurant?
It can help with claims that a customer was hurt or their property damaged. It generally doesn’t cover your own property or your employees’ injuries.
Do I need liquor liability?
If you serve or sell alcohol, it’s worth asking about. General liability may limit or exclude alcohol-related claims.
Is food spoilage covered?
It depends on your policy. Ask about coverage for spoilage after equipment or power failures.
What if a fire closes my restaurant?
Business income coverage may help replace lost income after a covered loss. Ask how it works on your policy.
Do you insure food trucks?
Ask us. A food truck may need commercial auto plus coverage for the equipment on board.
Do employees’ delivery cars need coverage?
Hired and non-owned auto can help with your business’s liability when employees drive their own cars for work.
Can you send a certificate for my landlord?
Yes. Call 615-562-5100 with the certificate holder’s details.
Do you only work with restaurants near your office?
No. We serve Middle Tennessee from our Mt. Juliet office, including restaurants in Lebanon, Hermitage, Gallatin, Hendersonville and Nashville.
What do I need for a restaurant insurance quote?
It helps to have your business name and structure, your location and lease, yearly sales and payroll, number of employees, whether you serve alcohol, and current policies if you have them. Then we’ll follow up.
Request a business insurance quote
Tell us a little about your business, and we’ll call you back during business hours. Prefer to talk now? Call 615-562-5100.
It helps to have your business name and structure, your location and lease, yearly sales and payroll, number of employees, whether you serve alcohol, and current policies if you have them.
Stop By or Call Our Mt. Juliet Office
Have a lease or contract that asks for certain coverage, or just a question? Give us a call, or set a time to sit down with Dustin in person or by phone.
- Address
- 1982 Providence Pkwy Ste 257
Mt Juliet, TN 37122 - Directions
- Providence area, second floor, same building as Oscar’s Taco Shop
- Phone
- 615-562-5100
- Reviews
- Google reviews · Leave a review
- Hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday, closed