Sandwich Shop Insurance Policy Information

Sandwich Shop Insurance. Sandwich shops craft an amazing variety of sandwiches to satisfy almost almost any palate.
Sandwich shops usually cater to the lunch or early evening crowd, serve a lighter menu, and have limited hours of operation. They may be located within a larger operation, such as a department store or office complex.
They serve a limited menu that consists of fast food items or cafeteria-style service. Some offer take-out items, some have counter service only, while others have table seating.
Busy commuters, hungry students, and peckish tourists will all pass through the doors of sandwich shops, allowing them to get a great, quick, and budget-friendly meal in a matter of minutes.
Do you own and run a sandwich shop, or do you dream of opening one? There is no question that these eating places meet an important need, and these venues can become very successful.
Sandwich shops also, on the other hand, face a significant number of threats - each of which has the potential to be financially crippling. That is why it is vital to protect yourself appropriately. What kinds of Sandwich shop insurance might be needed? To find out more, keep reading.
Sandwich shop insurance protects food service businesses from lawsuits with rates as low as $27/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked sandwich shop insurance questions:
- What Is Sandwich Shop Insurance?
- How Much Does Sandwich Shop Insurance Cost?
- Why Do Sandwich Shops Need Insurance?
- What Type Of Insurance Do Sandwich Shops Need?
- What Does Sandwich Shop Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Sandwich Shop Insurance?
Sandwich shop insurance is a type of insurance specifically designed for businesses that operate as sandwich shops or similar food establishments. This type of insurance provides coverage for a wide range of potential risks and liabilities, including property damage, theft, food spoilage, liability claims, and more. The coverage can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a sandwich shop, ensuring that the business is protected against the most common types of losses and risks.
How Much Does Sandwich Shop Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for sandwich shops ranges from $27 to $49 per month based on location, revenue, claims history and more.
Why Do Sandwich Shops Need Insurance?

Sandwich shops may need insurance to meet legal requirements, or to satisfy lender criteria. The most important reason to carefully evaluate your insurance needs lies, however, in the fact that carrying the right insurance can easily make the difference between continued success and financial ruin.
Sandwich shops face a variety of risks, after all. They have to contend with the same threats that face any business, but also have to consider some industry-specific hazards.
Your venue could suffer severe damage if it is impacted by an act of nature - such as a wildfire, earthquake, or serious flood - or by a burglary, robbery, or employee theft. Equipment vital to your operation, such as cold storage systems or ovens, could unexpectedly need to be repaired or replaced.
A fire might break out in your sandwich shop. An employee, a customer, or a vendor could sustain an injury on your premises, or your company's activities could inadvertently cause damage to third party property.
The list of perils that could threaten your financial future is almost endless. Even if you go to great lengths to take all possible preventative measures, you can never completely eliminate the risk of disaster. Protected by comprehensive insurance coverage, however, you can do the next best thing - you can make sure that you will not have to face the resulting financial fallout on your own.
If you have the right sandwich shop insurance, your food service will be able to recover even if disaster strikes.
What Type Of Insurance Do Sandwich Shops Need?
Your sandwich shop is like no other, and the same factors that make it unique also influence your insurance needs. That includes the location of your sandwich bar, the jurisdiction in which it is based, the size of your business, your number of employees, and the value of your equipment.
To get individualized insurance advice, you will have to talk to a commercial insurance broker who understands your industry. Among the most important forms of sandwich shop insurance needed are, however:
- Commercial Property: This kind of insurance protects you from financial loss if your property and its contents are damaged due to perils like acts of nature, theft, or vandalism. Note that floods are generally excluded, and that you will need to purchase flood insurance separately.
- General Liability: Businesses can be sued for almost any reason today. Even if the claim ultimately proves to be unfounded, the costs can be exorbitant. Should your sandwich shop face a personal injury or property damage claim, commercial general liability insurance will cover a large portion of your legal fees, as well as helping you pay settlement costs.
- Workers Compensation: Employees can sustain a variety of workplace injuries, from burns to falls. If this happens, workers comp will pay their medical bills. Should the employee require time off to recover, their lost wages will also be reimbursed.
- Equipment Breakdown: This form of sandwich shop insurance will safeguard you from financial losses resulting from the sudden breakdown or malfunction of your important equipment, ranging from HVAC units to ovens.
While these types of insurance will certainly help protect sandwich shops from the perils they are most likely to face, you may require additional kinds of coverage. If you deliver sandwiches, for example, you will need commercial auto insurance, and you may also need crime and cyber security coverage.
Talk to a commercial insurance broker to discover what forms of sandwich shop insurance will best protect your business from all possible threats.
Sandwich Shop's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure may be limited if the shop assumes the premises liability contractually from the host location. If a stand-alone shop, the exposure is moderate due to public access to the premises. If there is seating, customers will move around the delicatessen with beverages and food items, generating spills that can result in slips and falls.
Public areas must be monitored regularly to clean up spills. Temperatures of hot beverages must be limited to reduce injuries due to scalding. Lists of ingredients should be posted to prevent allergic reactions. There should be a food rotation process with a maximum time that food can be kept out.
Floor covering must be in good condition with no frayed or worn spots on carpet and no cracks or holes in flooring. Steps and uneven floor surfaces should be prominently marked.
Sufficient exits must exist and be well marked, with backup lighting systems in case of power failure. Parking lots and sidewalks need to be in good repair, with snow and ice removed, and generally level and free of exposure to slip and falls. Outdoor security and lighting must be consistent with the area.
Products liability exposure is from food poisoning, contamination, and allergic reactions from food and beverages carried off premises for consumption. Monitoring the quality of food received, posting lists of ingredients, and maintaining proper storage temperature can reduce this exposure. Quality control requires limits on the length of time food may stay in holding area before being destroyed.
Workers compensation exposures come from slips, falls, cuts, puncture wounds, burns, foreign objects in the eye, heavy and awkward lifting, and interactions with customers. Food handling can result in passing bacteria or viruses, resulting in illness. Anhydrous ammonia refrigerants are poisonous when leaked into confined spaces such as coolers.
Controls must be in place to maintain, check, and prevent such injury. Cleaning workers can develop respiratory ailments or contact dermatitis from working with chemicals. As with all retail businesses, hold-ups are possible, so employees should be trained to respond in a prescribed manner.
The employees tend to be minimum wage and turnover may be high. Company incentives to encourage long-term employment are positive signs of management control.
Property exposures are from electrical wiring, refrigeration units, cooking equipment, and heating and air conditioning systems. All wiring should be current, up to code, and well maintained. Ammonia used in refrigeration units can explode. A system designed to detect leaks should be in place.
Cooking may be limited to microwave, stove surface cooking, and toaster ovens. If there are grills and deep fat fryers, these must have automatic fire extinguishing protection, hoods, and filters. There should be fuel shut-offs and adequate handheld fire extinguishers. The kitchen must be kept clean and grease free to prevent fire spread. Filters should be changed regularly.
Spoilage exposure is very high. Power outages of even moderate duration can render fresh and frozen goods to be condemned as unfit for consumption or sale. Business income with extended time period coverage should be purchased.
While clientele tends to be fairly loyal, they will switch after a major loss due to the lag time between the re-opening and the return to full operations.
Equipment breakdown exposures can be high as operations are dependent on refrigeration and cooking equipment which can break down or malfunction. All equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained as a lengthy breakdown could result in a severe loss, both direct and under time element.
Crime exposures include employee dishonesty and money and securities. Criminal background checks should be conducted on any employee handling money. Sandwich shops must operate on a volume basis to break even, and cash receipts tend to be high. Money should be removed from the cash drawer at regular intervals and deposited at the bank throughout the day to prevent substantial accumulations.
Closing time is the most vulnerable time so security procedures should be in place to prevent holdups. There must be a separation of duties between employees handling deposits and disbursements and reconciling bank statements.
Inland marine exposures include computers for tracking inventories and valuable papers and records for employee and supplier records.
Business auto exposure may be limited to hired or non-owned exposures from employees running errands. If there is limited delivery to locations in the immediate area, drivers must have appropriate licenses and acceptable MVRs. Vehicles should be regularly maintained with documentation retained.
What Does Sandwich Shop Insurance Cover & Pay For?

There are several reasons why sandwich shops may face lawsuits, ranging from foodborne illnesses to slip-and-fall accidents. Insurance can play a critical role in protecting sandwich shops from the financial impact of such lawsuits. Here are some examples:
Foodborne illness: If a customer claims to have gotten sick from consuming food at a sandwich shop, it can result in a lawsuit. This can be due to issues such as food contamination, improper food handling, or spoilage. Insurance coverage such as general liability insurance or product liability insurance can help cover the costs associated with defending against such claims, including legal fees, settlements, or judgments.
Allergen-related issues: If a customer with a known food allergy has an allergic reaction after consuming food from a sandwich shop, it can lead to a lawsuit. Claims may allege that the sandwich shop did not properly disclose or handle allergens in their food. General liability insurance or product liability insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense and potential settlements.
Slip-and-fall accidents: Accidents such as slips, trips, or falls can occur in sandwich shops, resulting in injuries to customers or employees. This can happen due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or other hazards. General liability insurance can provide coverage for the costs associated with defending against claims, medical expenses, and potential settlements.
Property damage: Sandwich shops can face lawsuits for property damage caused by incidents such as fires, floods, or accidents. For example, if a kitchen fire damages the shop's property or neighboring properties, the sandwich shop may be held liable. Property insurance can help cover the costs of repairing or replacing damaged property and can also provide coverage for legal defense in case of lawsuits.
Employment-related issues: Sandwich shops can face lawsuits related to employment practices, such as wrongful termination, discrimination, or harassment claims by employees. Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) can help protect the sandwich shop by covering the costs of legal defense, settlements, or judgments associated with such claims.
Advertising or copyright infringement: Sandwich shops may face lawsuits related to advertising or copyright infringement, such as using copyrighted materials or trademarks without proper authorization in their marketing materials. Intellectual property insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, or damages associated with such claims.
In each of these examples, insurance coverage can help sandwich shops by providing financial protection against the costs associated with lawsuits, including legal defense, settlements, and judgments. It is essential for sandwich shop owners to carefully review their insurance policies and work with an experienced insurance agent to ensure they have appropriate coverage to protect their business from potential legal liabilities.
Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification
- SIC CODE: 5812 Eating Places
- NAICS CODE: 722513 Limited Service Restaurants
- Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9082 Restaurant NOC, 9083 Restaurant: Fast Food
Description for 5812: Eating Places
Division G: Retail Trade | Major Group 58: Eating And Drinking Places | Industry Group 581: Eating And Drinking Places
5812 Eating Places: Establishments primarily engaged in the retail sale of prepared food and drinks for on-premise or immediate consumption. Caterers and industrial and institutional food service establishments are also included in this industry.
- Automats (eating places)
- Beaneries
- Box lunch stands
- Buffets (eating places)
- Cafes
- Cafeterias
- Carry-out restaurants
- Caterers
- Coffee shops
- Commissary restaurants
- Concession stands, prepared food (e.g., in airports and sports arenas)
- Contract feeding
- Dairy bars
- Diners (eating places)
- Dining rooms
- Dinner theaters
- Drive-in restaurants
- Fast food restaurants
- Food bars
- Food service, institutional
- Frozen custard stands
- Grills (eating places)
- Hamburger stands
- Hot dog (frankfurter) stands
- Ice cream stands
- Industrial feeding
- Lunch bars
- Lunch counters
- Luncheonettes
- Lunchrooms
- Oyster bars
- Pizza parlors
- Pizzerias
- Refreshment stands
- Restaurants
- Restaurants, carry-out
- Restaurants, fast food
- Sandwich bars or shops
- Snack shops
- Soda fountains
- Soft drink stands
- Submarine sandwich shops
- Tea rooms
- Theaters, dinner
Sandwich Shop Insurance - The Bottom Line
To protect your food service business, employees and the people you serve, having the right sandwich shop insurance coverage is necessary. To see your options, including how much coverage you should invest in and the cost - speak to a reputable commercial insurance agent.
Additional Resources For Food Service Insurance
Learn about restaurants, bars, liquor stores commercial insurance coverages. See how small business food service insurance help protect against accidents, oversights and lawsuits resulting from business operations.
- Bagel Shop
- Bakery
- Bar
- Brewery
- Catering
- Coffee Shop
- Concession Stand
- Delicatessen
- Farmers Market
- Grocery Store
- Ice Cream Shop
- Internet Cafe
- Liquor Liability
- Liquor Store
- Nightclub
- Restaurant
- Sandwich Shops
- Supermarket
- Tavern
- Winery
- Specialty Food And Restaurants

The food service industry is a vital part of the economy and plays a crucial role in providing food to individuals and businesses. However, it is also a high-risk industry that is prone to numerous potential liabilities and risks. That's why it's important for food service businesses to have insurance in place to protect themselves against financial losses and legal issues.
One of the main reasons the food service industry needs commercial insurance is to protect against liability claims. When running a food service business, there is a risk of someone getting sick or injured due to food poisoning or food allergies. Insurance can provide coverage for these types of claims, helping to cover the costs of legal fees and damages.
Another reason the food service industry needs insurance is to protect against property damage. This can include damage to the business's physical location, such as from a fire or natural disaster, or damage to equipment, such as kitchen appliances. Commercial insurance can help cover the costs of repairs or replacement, ensuring that the business can continue to operate smoothly.
Additionally, commercial insurance can provide coverage for losses due to unexpected events, such as theft or vandalism. This can be especially important for food service businesses, as food products and equipment can be expensive to replace.
The bar and liquor industry is highly susceptible to accidents and injuries. With the presence of alcohol, there is a higher risk of slip and fall accidents, fights, and other mishaps that could result in serious injuries to employees or patrons. Insurance can provide coverage for these types of incidents and help protect the business from financial liability.
In summary, business insurance is essential for the food service industry due to the numerous risks and liabilities that can arise. It can provide financial protection against potential losses and legal issues, helping businesses to operate safely and securely.
Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Personal Property, Business Income and Extra Expense, Spoilage, Equipment Breakdown, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits, Umbrella, Hired and Nonowned Auto & Workers Compensation.
Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Earthquake, Flood, Leasehold Interest, Real Property Legal Liability, Accounts Receivables, Bailees Customers, Fine Arts, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices, Environmental Impairment, Liquor Liability, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Garagekeepers and Stop Gap Liability.