Why Liquor Stores Need Specialized Insurance
Liquor stores face complex risks even before adding alternative products or expanded services. Selling alcohol alone creates exposures such as:
- Dram shop liability
- Theft, robbery & assault
- High-value inventory loss
- Intoxication-related incidents
- Refrigeration & equipment failure
When your store also sells THC beverages, CBD products, vape pens, or offers delivery and on-premise tastings, your risk profile becomes exponentially more technical. Many policies exclude these operations without warning.
As an independent agency, we work for you—not the insurance company.
Our job is to uncover these gaps before a claim occurs.
Our Liquor Store Insurance Specialties
Building Ownership Coverage
If you own your building or suite, you need a policy structured for:
- Accurate replacement cost, not market value
- Fire protection and electrical/plumbing exposures
- Roof age and construction materials
- Ordinance or Law (code upgrades)
- Tenant improvements and permanently attached fixtures
We ensure your building is insured correctly—many policies are not.
Property & Inventory Insurance
Protecting the physical assets of your business, including:
- High-value spirits & collectible inventory
- Coolers, refrigeration & display units
- POS systems, shelving & equipment
- Exterior signage, lighting & glass
- Equipment Breakdown & Spoilage
- Theft, burglary & smash-and-grab protection
Liability Protection
We structure liability coverage that matches your real exposures:
- General liability
- Liquor liability (dram shop)
- Products liability for THC, CBD & vape items
- Premises liability (slip & fall, parking lot incidents)
- Landlord-required liability
- On-premise tasting / sampling coverage
Specialty Risks We Insure
These exposures commonly cause claim denials when not disclosed:
- THC & hemp-derived product sales
- Vape battery fire or burn incidents
- Assault & battery
- Employee dishonesty & crime
- Cyber liability (POS breaches)
- Delivery operations & driver exposures
- Off-premises events, tastings & festivals
- On-site sampling / tasting rooms
Business Income & Extra Expense
If your store must close due to:
- Fire
- Burst pipe
- Cooler failure
- Vandalism
- Smoke or water damage
…this coverage replaces lost revenue so you can continue operating.
Workers’ Compensation
Even if state law does not require it, you are still responsible for injuries. We help you address:
- Employee injuries (stocking, lifting, late hours)
- Whether owners should include/exclude themselves
- Delivery driver exposures
- Health insurance exclusions for job-related accidents
Commercial Auto & HNOA
Critical for stores offering:
- Delivery services
- Curbside pickup
- Employee supply runs
- Festival or event transportation
- Third-party delivery apps
Many claims involving vehicle accidents are denied without proper Hired & Non-Owned Auto coverage.
Our Risk Advisory Approach
We do far more than quote a policy.
We analyze every operational detail of your store:
- Sales mix: alcohol, THC, CBD, vape, tobacco, etc.
- Building ownership vs. tenant risks
- Delivery operations & driver exposure
- On-premise and off-premise tasting activities
- High-value inventory and refrigeration reliance
- Security, alarms & late-night hours
- Lease obligations & landlord requirements
- Comparison of multiple specialized carriers
Insurance policies are legal contracts—we interpret them, explain them, and advocate for your best outcome.
Why Liquor Store Owners Choose Oak Hill Risk Advisors
- Independent representation: we work for the client
- Deep knowledge of liquor store operations
- Access to multiple specialized carriers
- Advanced insurance education and designations
- Real-world claims experience (THC, vape & liquor liability)
- Strategic guidance, not transactional quoting
- Fast, clear and responsive communication
Your insurance program should be a long-term business strategy—not a commodity.
Protect Your Store Before a Loss Occurs
Most liquor store owners don’t discover coverage gaps until a claim is denied.
We help you fix those vulnerabilities now.
Request a confidential policy review today.
Oak Hill Risk Advisors
Insurance. Strategy. Confidence.
Serving Tennessee and the Southeast.