Hospitality Insurance
The hospitality industry is at the heart of Australian life. From bustling cafés and restaurants to lively bars and professional catering businesses, hospitality venues are where people gather, celebrate, and connect. But running a hospitality business also comes with a unique set of risks — from customer accidents and food safety concerns to property damage, staff injuries, and unexpected business interruptions.
At Design Cover Insurance Brokers, we specialise in helping hospitality businesses protect themselves with tailored insurance solutions. Whether you run a small café, a family restaurant, a cocktail bar, or a catering service, the right insurance can safeguard your livelihood, protect your staff, and keep your doors open when things don’t go to plan.
Why Hospitality Businesses Need Insurance
Hospitality is a fast-paced and demanding industry. With customers, staff, suppliers, and regulators to manage, business owners face a wide range of risks on a daily basis. Even a single incident — a customer slipping on a wet floor, a fire in the kitchen, or a sudden staff injury — can result in major financial losses.
Insurance helps hospitality operators manage these risks and provides peace of mind that you’ll be supported if something unexpected happens. Without insurance, you may face costly claims, lengthy downtime, and even the closure of your business.
Some common risks in the hospitality industry include:
Customer accidents – slips, trips, or falls on your premises.
Food safety issues – contamination, food poisoning, or allergen-related incidents.
Property damage – fire, flood, vandalism, or equipment breakdown.
Employee injuries – burns, cuts, sprains, or repetitive strain injuries.
Business interruption – forced closure due to damage or major equipment failure.
Alcohol-related incidents – liability arising from intoxicated patrons.
Core Insurance Solutions for Hospitality Businesses
At Design Cover, we arrange tailored insurance packages for cafés, restaurants, bars, and catering services. The most common cover types include:
Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance is a must-have for any hospitality business. It protects you against claims of injury or property damage suffered by customers, suppliers, or members of the public.
Covers legal defence costs and compensation payouts.
Essential for compliance with leases, events, and council requirements.
Protects against common incidents like customer slips, falls, or allergic reactions.
Property Insurance
Your business premises and equipment are critical to your operations. Property insurance helps protect them from fire, flood, storm, theft, or accidental damage.
Covers buildings, contents, and fit-outs.
Includes kitchen equipment, bar facilities, furniture, and stock.
Optional cover for portable equipment, such as catering gear.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
If you employ staff, workers’ compensation is mandatory in Australia. It covers wages and medical expenses for employees who suffer a work-related injury or illness.
Common claims include burns, knife injuries, slips, and back strains.
A legal requirement for hospitality employers.
Business Interruption Insurance
Even short closures can mean lost revenue and disrupted cash flow. Business interruption insurance provides financial support if you’re forced to temporarily close.
Covers lost income and operating expenses.
Helps you keep paying staff and suppliers while you recover.
Triggered by insured events such as fire, storm, or property damage.
Management Liability Insurance
For larger venues or multi-site operators, management liability insurance protects directors and managers against claims of mismanagement, regulatory breaches, or employment disputes.
Equipment Breakdown Insurance
Hospitality relies heavily on specialised equipment — ovens, fridges, freezers, coffee machines, and POS systems. Equipment breakdown insurance can cover repair or replacement costs if they fail unexpectedly.
Who We Work With
At Design Cover, we provide tailored insurance packages for a wide range of hospitality operators, including:
Cafés – from small espresso bars to large dining venues.
Restaurants – covering fine dining, casual dining, and takeaway outlets.
Bars & Pubs – including venues that serve alcohol late into the night.
Catering Services – mobile, event, and on-site catering businesses.
Food Trucks & Pop-Up Venues – short-term or mobile operators.
Franchise Operators – multi-site cafés, restaurants, and fast-food outlets.
Event Venues – including function centres and banquet halls.
Common Claims in the Hospitality Industry
The following examples highlight the real-world risks faced by hospitality businesses:
Slip and Fall – A customer slips on a wet floor in a café, resulting in a claim for medical expenses and lost income.
Food Poisoning – A restaurant faces claims after several patrons report illness following a meal.
Kitchen Fire – A bar suffers extensive fire damage due to a cooking equipment malfunction.
Employee Injury – A chef sustains burns during food preparation, triggering a workers’ compensation claim.
Business Interruption – A catering company is forced to cancel events due to a storm that damages its commercial kitchen.
These scenarios demonstrate the importance of having robust insurance cover in place before incidents occur.
Why Choose Design Cover Insurance Brokers?
Hospitality operators need insurance solutions that are tailored, affordable, and reliable. At Design Cover, we understand the challenges faced by cafés, restaurants, bars, and catering businesses. We offer:
Industry expertise – policies designed specifically for hospitality risks.
Tailored cover – no unnecessary extras, just the protection you need.
Access to top insurers – we compare policies across the market to secure the best value.
Claims support – hands-on assistance to ensure fair outcomes.
Local service – based in Queensland, supporting businesses Australia-wide.
We don’t just place cover — we partner with you to help your business thrive.
Building Your Insurance Package
No two hospitality businesses are the same. A small family café has very different risks to a busy bar or a catering company with mobile equipment. At Design Cover, we’ll work with you to identify the right policies for your specific needs.
Your package may include:
Public liability insurance.
Property insurance.
Workers’ compensation (mandatory for employers).
Business interruption insurance.
Equipment breakdown insurance.
Management liability insurance (for larger businesses).
By combining these covers, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your staff, customers, and business are protected.
Protect Your Business and Reputation
In hospitality, your reputation is everything. Customers expect a safe, enjoyable, and reliable experience every time they visit. A single incident — whether it’s an accident, a food safety issue, or a service disruption — can damage that reputation and impact your income.
Insurance is not just about financial protection; it’s about building resilience. With the right policies in place, you can recover quickly from setbacks, continue serving your customers, and show stakeholders that you take your responsibilities seriously.
Get Covered with Design Cover
At Design Cover Insurance Brokers, we make it simple for hospitality businesses to get the protection they need. Whether you operate a small café, a busy restaurant, or a multi-venue bar group, we’ll help you arrange insurance that’s tailored to your risks and budget.
📞 Call us today on 0419 550 677
📧 Email: hello@designcover.com.au
Protect your café, restaurant, bar, or catering business with tailored hospitality insurance. Get in touch with Design Cover today.