If you’re running a brewery or distillery, you know it’s not just about crafting great beer or spirits—it’s about protecting the business that fuels your passion.
As an insurance broker at Beyond Insurance, I’ve worked with many craft brewers and distillers to ensure they have the right coverage in place. Finding the right insurance can be overwhelming, but that’s where I come in. I’m here to help you navigate your options and make sure you’re covered where it matters most.
Let’s talk about the five key things to consider when you’re looking for insurance for your brewery or distillery, and why partnering with Beyond Insurance gives you an edge.
1. Understanding Your Unique Risks
Breweries and distilleries face unique risks that can’t be addressed with generic business insurance. Whether it’s managing specialized equipment, maintaining product quality, or running a tasting room, your business faces different exposures than most. That’s why it’s essential to have insurance designed specifically for your industry.
For example, equipment breakdowns, product contamination, or liquor liability can put your operation at risk. At Beyond Insurance, we’ve developed an in-house application that allows us to submit a customized application and supporting documents to all major markets. This application includes photos and a risk management assessment as part of our site visit, which can even limit the need for an additional risk management visit by the insurance company. By understanding your business from the inside out, I can make sure your policy is tailored to your unique risks.
2. Protecting Your Equipment and Production
Your brewing or distilling equipment is the backbone of your business, and any unexpected breakdown can halt production. That’s why Equipment Breakdown Insurance is essential. This coverage will handle the cost of repairs or replacements to minimize downtime and loss of income. I’ll also review your equipment breakdown coverages to ensure they’re appropriate for your production needs, and we often extend business interruption time limits to account for specialized equipment that may need to be ordered from outside North America.
In addition, Property Insurance is crucial for covering your building, machinery, raw materials, and finished products. Stock coverage is equally important, and we’ll ensure your stock is protected against contamination and business interruption impacts. With Beyond Insurance, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing your physical assets are fully protected.
3. Product Liability and Recall: Preparing for the Worst
Even with the highest quality standards, things can go wrong. A contaminated or mislabeled batch of beer or spirits could be a costly mistake. That’s where Product Recall Insurance comes in. It covers the costs of removing products from the market, notifying customers, and replacing the defective product. At Beyond Insurance, we also provide product recall emergency preparedness templates and risk management resources to assist small breweries in handling these situations effectively.
You’ll also need Product Liability Insurance to protect your business from claims that your product caused harm or injury. From contamination to packaging issues, this coverage ensures you’re protected against the legal and financial consequences. I’ll make sure you’re covered for these critical exposures.
4. Liquor Liability: Essential for Tastings and Tours
If you’re offering tastings, tours, or operating a bar on-site, Liquor Liability Insurance is essential. If a customer overindulges at your establishment and causes damage or injury afterward, you could be held responsible. This coverage protects you from liability claims related to serving alcohol. Beyond Insurance also has direct relationships with several liquor underwriters from London, which allows us to bypass an additional layer of a Managing General Agent (MGA) and provide you with more streamlined, direct access to coverage.
I’ll make sure your liquor liability policy is comprehensive and tailored to your needs, whether you run a tasting room or host large events. And we’ll help train your team to reduce the risk of over-serving.
5. Business Interruption, Supply Chain Coverage, and More
Your brewery or distillery relies on a steady supply of ingredients, specialized equipment, and reliable production. If your suppliers are disrupted, Supply Chain Insurance ensures that your production doesn’t stop. If an event like a fire or flood shuts down operations, Business Interruption Insurance covers your lost income and ongoing expenses, allowing you to recover without major financial strain.
In today’s world, digital tools are increasingly used in brewing, and we offer comprehensive Cyber Liability coverage to protect against ransomware, hacking, or other cyber events that could disrupt your brewing process. With the rise of cloud-based brewing software, it’s crucial to have coverage that activates other key insurance components in the event of a cyberattack.
At Beyond Insurance, we go further by providing support for your operations beyond the basic coverages. For example, we offer hiring and loss control templates for fleet vehicles and delivery drivers, ensuring that your team operates safely and effectively. We also provide access to traditional bonding and E-Bonds as required by the Government of Canada for Excise Bonding, ensuring your taxes are properly handled.
Why Choose Beyond Insurance?
At Beyond Insurance, we’re more than just brokers—we’re partners who are deeply invested in the brewery and distillery industries. Our small brokerage allows us to offer a personalized approach, investing our time and expertise into industries that are sometimes underserved by larger insurance providers. We’re committed to building meaningful relationships with our clients in the hospitality, brewery, and distilling world. Our industry-specific knowledge, customized risk management solutions, and access to direct liquor underwriters mean you’re getting the best service and coverage available.
We’ll work closely with you to understand the nuances of your business, ensuring that you’re protected from all angles. Contact me today at Beyond Insurance, and let’s make sure your brewery or distillery has the comprehensive protection it needs to thrive.