Observed Reality
Restaurant owners see premiums rise after a minor slip claim, even when revenue stays flat.
Why That Happens
Claim frequency moves underwriting tiers faster than severity. Carriers price for foot traffic and floor conditions, not just revenue.
Why It Stops Working
Shopping helps when the issue is appetite mismatch, but repeated hazards follow you across carriers.
Tradeoffs
Higher limits protect against severe injuries, but they cost more when frequency is high. Lower deductibles shift cash-flow risk to you.
Price Levers
- Risk signals: slip frequency, flooring conditions, incident reporting cadence.
- Coverage structure: deductibles, limits, assault and battery exclusions.
- Market timing and carrier fit: appetite for late hours, alcohol service, and delivery exposure.
Deeper context
For the deeper dive, see Restaurant GL: What Slip-and-Fall Frequency Really Costs.
Decision Rule
If slip frequency is rising, fix floors and reporting controls before shopping. If it is stable, compare deductibles and limits.
Minnesota note: claim patterns and contractor timelines vary by county, so Twin Cities experience isn’t always a perfect proxy for outstate Minnesota.