Your bartender just handed you their certificate of insurance. You filed it away feeling protected. Here’s the problem: if it says “host liquor liability,” you might as well have no coverage at all.
The Coverage Gap You Can’t Afford
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That piece of paper is missing one critical word: “dram.” Without it, nobody’s covered:
- Not your bartender
- Not your venue
- Not your couple
Why Host Liquor Won’t Help
Host liquor only covers people serving alcohol for free. But your bartender is:
- Getting paid to serve
- Selling drinks
- Running a business
- Managing alcohol service
That makes them a vendor, not a host.
What You Actually Need
Your bartenders must have:
- Dram shop insurance
- Retail liquor liability
- Proper coverage limits
- Clear policy documentation
Common Mistakes That Cost You
- Accepting any COI without checking coverage type
- Missing the difference between “host” and “dram”
- Assuming the couple’s insurance covers the bar
- Letting vendors slide on proper documentation
Protect Your Venue
Before your next event:
- Pull out your bar service COIs
- Look for “host” vs “dram” language
- Verify coverage limits
- Update your requirements
- Contact vendors who need changes
The Bottom Line
Don’t let the wrong paperwork leave you exposed. One incident with improper coverage could devastate your venue. Check those COIs now.
Need help verifying your bar service coverage? Let’s talk.
