Why do Restaurant Workers need
Workers' Compensation Insurance?

Comply with state laws

Avoid fines

Protect your employees

Protection from lawsuits

...'cause they can get hurt

Accidents happen. Having a restaurant workers’ compensation insurance policy in place ensures hospitality workers rights by safeguarding their jobs and wages in the event of an accident. It also provides your business with a layer of protection in terms of lost wages and medical expenses.

Understanding recent trends in restaurant workers’ compensation insurance claims can help you better manage and prevent these common injuries.

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Common restaurant employee injuries

Slips, trips and falls: Wet floors, spills, and obstructed pathways can lead to slip-and-fall incidents.
Burns and scalds: Burns and scalds frequently occur due to hot surfaces, boiling liquids, and cooking equipment.
Cuts and lacerations: Improper use of sharp knives, slicers, and other kitchen tools can result in cuts and lacerations.‍
Strains and sprains: Lifting heavy items, repetitive movements, and awkward postures can cause strains and sprains among restaurant staff.

What other types of Insurance do Restaurants need?

Workers' comp insurance is only one type of coverage that restaurant owners need. Other essential insurances, like general liability, property insurance, and business interruption insurance, are also important to cover various risks.

Learn more about other types of insurance restaurant owners need.

What type of injuries does
Workers' Comp Insurance cover?

Workers' comp insurance covers both the employer and the injured worker. Like all types of insurance, it acts as a safety net in case of an accident.

If a worker gets hurt on the job, the insurance company will help cover the costs associated with their care so the worker is well taken care of until they return to work.

Since the company had an active Restaurants & Bars workers' comp policy, they do not need to pay anything towards the bills.

Workers' comp insurance covers both the employer and the injured worker. Like all types of insurance, it acts as a safety net in case of an accident.

If a worker gets hurt on the job, the insurance company will help cover the costs associated with their care so the worker is well taken care of until they return to work.

Since the company had a workers' comp policy, they do not need to pay anything towards the bills.

What will Restaurant Workers' Comp Insurance pay for?

Medical bills
Rehab and therapy expenses
Lost wages and disability benefits
Funeral cost

How much does Workers' Comp Insurance
for Restaurant Workers cost?

Workers' compensation insurance for restaurants, based on an average restaurant salary of $15 an hour, costs $28 per month per employee.

For more detailed information on how much workers' compensation insurance will cost for your restaurant, read Workers’ Comp Rates for Restaurant Workers 2025.

What's the cost based on?

The National Council of Compensation Insurance (NCCI) sets a fixed rate for every industry.

The rate is based on the level of risk for that job description.

Premiums are primarily calculated by using your payroll numbers and your NCCI class code.

Common Classifications for Restaurants & Bars

For more details on class codes, or if your state uses different codes, visit Workers’ Comp Class Codes for Restaurant Workers for more info.

9082 - Restaurant NOC

9082 - Pizza Shop

9082 - Sandwich Shop

9082 - Concession Stand

9083 - Restaurant: Fast Food

9084 - Bar, Discotheque, Lounge, Night Club or Tavern

Don't see your business classification?
We're here to help. Call 866-338-8823.

Helpful tips to save money

Choosing restaurant & bar insurance services may sound simple, but doing it wrong can be very costly.

Here’s how to save money:

Classify your workers correctlyFor example - Employees who do clerical work have a different code (8810). Lumping them together with manual labors will increase your premium.

Don't underestimate your payroll
You will be expected to pay the difference at the end of the policy.

Have a clear process to report claims
...and make sure your employees know about it. This will make the entire experience easier for all involved.

Report every incident- even if it didn't result in a large injury. Some things which seem insignificant can snowball into costly issues.

Prepare for your audit Every policy is audited at the end of 12 months. Keep your payroll records and files neat so you don't have issues later! Our Restaurant Workers’ Compensation Audit Checklist can help.

Prepare for your audit Every policy is audited at the end of 12 months. Keep your payroll records and files neat so you don't have issues later! A Restaurant Workers’ Compensation Audit Checklist can help.

For more detailed strategies, check out these tips on how restaurant owners can save money on their workers' compensation insurance.

FAQ's on Workers' Comp for Restaurant Workers

How quickly can I get my certificate of insurance?

‍We usually issue certificates 24 hours after the policy is bound.
Let us know if you need it quicker and we will rush it.

We are a full-service restaurant including seating and wait service that also serves alcohol. How does this affect my workers’ compensation insurance policy?

It depends on how much alcohol is sold. Restaurants with over 50% of gross receipts from alcohol sales are categorized differently than locations with under 50% of gross receipts from alcohol sales.

Are my delivery drivers covered by my workers' compensation policy?

Yes, your delivery drivers are covered by your workers' compensation policy. However, having delivery drivers can make it harder to get insurance because of the higher risk. To avoid this, consider using services like UberEats or DoorDash instead of hiring your own drivers.

State laws on Workers' Comp for Restaurant Workers

Workers' compensation is regulated at the state level, so rules and penalties vary by state.

For example, New Jersey requires coverage for any business with one employee. Florida, on the other hand, requires it for general businesses with four or more employees and construction companies with even one employee.

If you’re an employer, you should research the specific laws in your state to ensure you’re complying with workers' comp requirements.
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Workers' compensation is regulated at the state level, so rules and penalties vary by state.

For example, New Jersey requires coverage for any restaurant business with one employee. Florida, on the other hand, requires it for food businesses with four or more employees.

If you’re a restaurant owner or manager, you should research the specific laws in your state to ensure you’re complying with workers' comp requirements.

Choose your state from the dropdown to learn more.

Why use Kickstand to
get workers' comp insurance?

Speed + Service + Experts

Document with workers comp for restaurants & bars insurance quote surrounded by insurance icons

Unlike other online insta-quote systems,
here your quote is reviewed by experts

Why does it matter?

Avoid surprise bills at audit
Make sure all your employees are properly covered
Protect yourself from lawsuits

What do we check?

Business categorized correctly
Employees job roles
Special discount opportunities

Workers' Compensation Insurance for Restaurants & Bars

Policies for fast food restaurants, food trucks and food and beverage businesses