In the UK, most business insurance companies will offer a whole range of products. Essentially, they follow the same basic format, with standard sections, or types, of cover included.
The way that the insurers differentiate between their products is, in the vast majority of cases, along different trades. So, you can get specialist policies for everything from plumbers, to shop keepers, to wholesalers to underwater drilling companies. Think of any trade, and an insurers somewhere will have though of, and created, a niche product suited for the individual risks associated with that business.
As far as restaurant insurance is concerned, there are risks associated with the type of work they do, which may not apply to other types of business. Restaurants, as well as hotels and pubs, need and rely on customers coming in to eat and drink and stay at their premises.
Therefore, one of the risks they face is if a customer is injured. This can be a slip on some spilled food or through consuming a product which makes them sick. Thankfully, these events are few and far between, but you need to make sure that that you have adequate cover in place to protect you from the dreaded solicitors letter following such an event.
The cover that needs to be in place is two-fold, products and public liability insurance. But what happens if a customers clothing is damaged. They have not been injured, so it is unlikely to be a large claim and they will not go to see a solicitor. Public liability will still cover this type of eventuality, but some insurers do have a separate section of cover which may limit this to, for example, £1,000 each and every claim.
If one of you waiters or waitresses spills soup on someones suit or clothing, you can almost guarantee that it is going to be the most expensive suit that they have ever bought. And of course, it is unlikely to be a cleanable item of clothing.
If you do have this cover and a customer complains, you really do need to notify your insurers or broker immediately. The quicker they are involved, the quicker they can get the claim resolved. Also, they may correspond with the third party to prevent this taking up too much of your valuable business time.