Summer brings longer days, packed patios, busy dining rooms, and an influx of visitors throughout Washington and Oregon. For restaurants, breweries, wineries, cafés, food trucks, hotels, and other hospitality businesses, tourism season often provides some of the year’s greatest revenue opportunities.
However, increased customer traffic also brings increased risk. From slips and falls to food contamination, equipment breakdowns, employee injuries, and liquor liability exposures, hospitality businesses face unique challenges during their busiest months.
A mid-season insurance review can help business owners identify potential gaps and ensure they’re prepared for whatever the remainder of the season may bring.
Why Summer Creates Additional Risk
As customer volume increases, so does the likelihood of incidents occurring.
Restaurants and hospitality businesses often experience:
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Increased foot traffic
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Temporary or seasonal employees
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Longer operating hours
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Outdoor dining activities
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Special events and festivals
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Higher inventory levels
While these factors can drive revenue, they can also increase exposure to claims and operational disruptions.
General Liability Remains a Critical Coverage
General liability insurance helps protect businesses against claims involving:
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Customer injuries
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Property damage
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Legal defense costs
Common examples include:
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Slips and falls
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Trip hazards on patios
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Damage to guest property
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Accidents involving customers
During busy tourism periods, increased customer traffic naturally increases the possibility of these types of incidents.
Foodborne Illness Can Have Serious Consequences
Restaurants and food service providers take food safety seriously, but mistakes can still happen.
Potential losses related to foodborne illness claims may include:
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Medical expenses
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Legal costs
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Lost revenue
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Reputation damage
A single incident can affect dozens—or even hundreds—of customers.
Maintaining strong food safety procedures and reviewing liability coverage are important parts of managing risk.
Equipment Breakdowns Can Stop Business
Most restaurants depend on equipment such as:
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Refrigerators
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Freezers
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Ice machines
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Ovens
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Point-of-sale systems
If critical equipment fails during the busiest time of year, the financial impact can be significant.
Equipment breakdown coverage may help address repair costs and certain related losses that may not be covered under standard property insurance.
Liquor Liability Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
Businesses that serve alcohol face additional exposures.
Examples include:
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Guest injuries
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Property damage
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Alcohol-related accidents
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Lawsuits involving intoxicated patrons
Many business owners assume general liability coverage automatically includes liquor-related claims. In many cases, separate liquor liability coverage is needed.
Restaurants, breweries, wineries, tasting rooms, and event venues should carefully review their specific coverage needs.
Employee Injuries Increase During Busy Seasons
Summer often means:
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Longer shifts
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Larger crews
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Faster-paced operations
Workers’ compensation insurance helps protect both employees and employers when workplace injuries occur.
Common hospitality-related injuries can include:
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Burns
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Cuts
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Slips and falls
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Lifting injuries
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Repetitive motion injuries
Businesses that add seasonal staff should ensure payroll estimates and employee classifications are current.
Business Interruption Coverage Matters
What would happen if your business had to temporarily close during peak season?
Potential causes might include:
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Fire
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Smoke damage
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Equipment failure
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Water damage
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Severe weather
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Utility interruptions
Business interruption coverage may help replace lost income and assist with ongoing expenses while operations are suspended due to a covered loss.
For many hospitality businesses, losing even a few weeks during peak season could have a significant financial impact.
Cyber Risks Are Affecting Hospitality Businesses
Restaurants and hospitality businesses increasingly rely on technology.
Examples include:
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Online reservations
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Mobile ordering
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Gift card systems
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Customer loyalty programs
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Credit card processing
A cyber event can create disruptions, payment processing issues, and data security concerns.
Cyber liability insurance may help businesses recover from cyber incidents involving customer information or operational systems.
Outdoor Dining and Event Risks
Outdoor spaces continue to be popular during the summer months.
However, patios, beer gardens, and special events can introduce additional exposures such as:
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Weather-related damage
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Crowd management issues
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Increased liability concerns
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Temporary structures and equipment
Businesses should review whether existing policies adequately address these seasonal operations.
Questions Hospitality Businesses Should Ask
As tourism season continues, consider asking:
✅ Are liability limits still appropriate?
✅ Do we have liquor liability coverage?
✅ Is equipment breakdown protection included?
✅ Are payroll estimates accurate?
✅ Is business interruption coverage sufficient?
✅ Have cyber risks been evaluated?
✅ Are outdoor dining operations properly covered?
A proactive review today can help reduce surprises later.
Final Thoughts
Peak tourism season can be one of the most profitable times of the year for restaurants and hospitality businesses throughout Washington and Oregon. However, increased customers, staff, inventory, and operations can also increase risk.
By reviewing liability, workers’ compensation, equipment breakdown, business interruption, cyber, and liquor liability coverage, business owners can help ensure they’re prepared for the challenges that come with a busy season.
The goal isn’t just to keep serving customers—it’s to protect the business that serves them.
