Liquor liability insurance
Liquor liability insurance addresses the insured’s legal liability for injury or death arising from negligent distribution, sale, or service of alcohol. Licensing and proof-of-insurance requirements vary by state and license type.
Liquor liability concerns alcohol-service claims, not simply whether a business has a bar. Massachusetts law defines the coverage around negligence in the distribution, sale, or service of alcohol. Whether it is required is separate: Oregon requires it for specified licensees, while New York’s DFS found no statewide requirement for retail on-premises sellers. Read the rule for the actual state and license type.
Sources
- Primary source: Massachusetts General Laws ch. 175, § 112A — Statutory definition of liquor legal liability insurance for claims arising from negligent distribution, sale, or service of alcohol.
- Primary source: Oregon Revised Statutes § 471.168 — Mandatory liability insurance — Oregon statute requiring specified licensees to maintain liquor liability insurance or a bond and provide proof to the commission.
- Primary source: New York Department of Financial Services — OGC Opinion No. 10-09-09 — Official New York interpretation that its law did not require retail on-premises alcohol sellers to procure liquor liability insurance.