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Pay Online

Pay Your Premium Online

Hospitality Insurance Group is excited to announce that we’ve recently partnered with Xpress-pay, a leading ePayment solution provider, to provide our policyholders with a faster, more convenient way of making premium payments. We’re confident this will be a great addition to the service we provide you!

Hospitality Mutual Insurance Co.

MA Policyholders

Hospitality Insurance Co.

CT, NH, NC, PA, RI & VT

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Online Payments

Which link should I use to submit payment?
Hospitality Mutual Insurance Company
For policyholders in Massachusetts.
Hospitality Insurance Company
For policyholders in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania & Vermont
What payments are accepted?
We now accept payment by Electronic Check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
Am I able to set up an account to save my payment information?
 Yes, when you make payment, you are asked if you would like to set up an Xpress pay account.  If you check yes, it will allow you to create a password and your credit card or check information will be saved to your account.
Am I able to set up recurring payments?
Yes. Once an Xpress pay account is set up you can also set up recurring payments as well.
What if I don’t have my recent billing statement or have questions about your online payment system?
Please contact our office at 1-877-366-1140.
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Excess Liability – Expanded Guidelines and Reduced Pricing

Excess Liability – Expanded Guidelines and Reduced Pricing

Hospitality Insurance Group’s new expanded guidelines and reduced pricing for independent insurance agents who write an excess liability policy are effective immediately!

When writing an excess liability policy with us in the past we required that the Liquor Liability and General Liability coverages be written with us. Our new expanded guidelines allow you to also write an Excess Liability policy with us when we write the Liquor Liability and the General Liability is written as part of a BOP with an A. M. Best A rated or better carrier. This should provide you with additional opportunities to write Excess Liability policies with us.

We have also REDUCED minimum premiums on our excess policies. The $1MM Excess minimum premium has been reduced to $750 from $1,000 and $2MM minimum premiums have been reduced to $500 from $750.

Thank you for your business and continued support.

Be sure to sign up for our email list here to be notified of more changes and new products as we continue to expand our offerings to earn more of your business.

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Agent Update: Verification Of Restaurant Sales

How To Verify Restaurant Sales With Hospitality Insurance Group

 

We are pleased to announce the following changes to our current audit procedures to simplify our liquor liability insurance renewal and new hospitality insurance submissions, increase the accuracy of pricing, and eliminate the unpopular audit process.

Our current process requires two steps, one for completing the renewal application and a request for the insured to complete a self-audit. Over the years this process has been confusing to policyholders and compliance on self-audits has been very low.

Billing additional premium for an expired policy term is confusing and upsetting to insureds. To enhance our ease of doing business we are combining these steps into a new one-step process described below.

Effective October 1, 2018, we will discontinue the practice of sending self-liquor-audit requests to policyholders. Sales verification information of the restaurant (see options to choose from) will now be submitted with new and renewal business applications and will provide us with the ability to accurately price business on the new or renewal date for the upcoming policy period with no further action required.

Verification will eliminate the need to process audit premium invoices for additional and return premiums as we’ll only look to make policy sales figure changes prospectively.

To provide you with additional time to gather the sales verification information, we will be increasing the lead time for receiving your agency’s policy expiration list from 60 days to 90 days.

You may find a listing of the options for sales verification below.

For new restaurant ventures, we’ll accept a pro forma business plan with estimates for sales and base our quotes on that estimate. You may review sales transactions after six months and endorse the policy to reduce/increase sales based on actual supported sales results.

Sales verification is a critical item in developing and maintaining a competitive rate structure, and we appreciate the input we received from many of you while we were developing this new process.

Thank you in advance for your help in making this a more efficient and policyholder friendly experience.

*Sales Verification Documentation Options

  • Print out of the insured’s POS system for the past 12 months
  • MassTaxConnect – Mass online Sales Tax form for the past 12 months (Massachusetts Only)
  • Accounting statement for the past 12 months (signed by a licensed accountant)
  • Pro Forma business plan (new ventures only)

You can find the new liquor liability application form here and the renewal application here.

Disclaimer: While we intend to replace the majority of premium audits with this new procedure, Liquor Liability policies remain auditable, and the company reserves the right to audit any insurance policy.

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Liquor Liability Insurance Now Mandatory in Rhode Island

Liquor Liability Insurance Now A Mandatory Law in Rhode Island

Effective August 1, 2017

Do you insure liquor stores, restaurants or bars situated in the State of Rhode Island?

Effective August 1st, liquor liability insurance in the state of Rhode Island will become mandatory.

The Rhode Island House and Senate recently passed legislation that will require any applicant or holder of a liquor license to maintain liquor liability and commercial general liability insurance as a condition of renewing a liquor license or applying for a new liquor license. Insurance coverage shall be no less than $300,000.

Obtaining Liquor Liability Insurance Coverage In Rhode Island 

If you are an Independent Insurance Agent, click here to learn more about working with Hospitality Insurance Group to provide liquor liability insurance to your customers or fill out this form to request more information.

If you are a business owner in Rhode Island looking for liquor liability insurance coverage, click here to contact one of our preferred Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island or find answers to some of your frequently asked questions about our insurance coverage here.

Are you a member of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association? RIHA members receive 20% off with Hospitality Insurance Group!

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Alcohol-Related Insurance Claims Against Our Restaurant Policyholders & How We Removed The Risk

Alcohol-Related Insurance Claims Against Our Restaurant Policyholders

In today’s world, businesses are sued daily and Insurance Defense Claimsheld liable for practically anything – especially alcohol-related insurance claims. One verdict in Boston topped $40 million, while two
bar lawsuit cases settlements in Worcester, MA each topped $20 million.

As a multi-state liquor liability insurance company, it’s our responsibility to protect our policyholders.

Take a look at some of the alcohol-related insurance claims and dram shop lawsuits against our restaurant policyholders that our team of Attorney’s have successfully defended.

CASE #1 Negligent Security General Liability A&B

PLAINTIFF: An underage patron was served at our policyholder’s establishment. He then randomly attacked other patrons with a hatchet concealed beneath his overcoat.

CLAIM: The claim filed against our policyholder alleged their failure to secure the premises.

VERDICT: After only one hour of deliberation, the jury concluded that the assailant’s actions were unforeseen and defense verdict was entered.

ESTIMATED EXPOSURE: High Six Figures

CASE #2 Dram Shop Liquor Liability

PLAINTIFF: A patron ordered several drinks at our policyholder’s establishment. Upon leaving, his vehicle collided with the rear of another motorist’s van.

CLAIM: The injured motorist filed a dram shop lawsuit against the policyholder after becoming a quadriplegic due to the impact of the accident.

 VERDICT: An arbitrator concluded that the evidence in this case, was inconclusive as to whether the patron was ever at the policyholder’s establishment on the date of the accident. The arbitrator sided with the defense.

ESTIMATED EXPOSURE: High Seven Figures

CASE #3 Dram Shop Liquor Liability A&B

PLAINTIFF: The plaintiff was struck in the face with a pool stick resulting in a fractured jaw that was wired shut for several months.

CLAIM: The lawsuit filed against the policyholder included counts involving negligent security and negligent service of alcohol to the patron who injured the plaintiff.

VERDICT: The jury concluded that the assailant’s actions were unforeseen and a defense verdict was entered.

 ESTIMATED EXPOSURE: High Six Figures

 

Click Here To Download A PDF Version


Hospitality Insurance Group is a liquor liability insurance group writing insurance for bars and taverns in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

For more information about how you can work with Hospitality Insurance Group as an Independent Insurance Agent or obtain a quote for liquor liability insurance, click here to request a call from us, email or office visit from one of our local representatives near you.

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Agent Update: New & Renewed Business

You asked, we listened! Effective March 15, 2017, Hospitality Insurance Group will be sending invoices on new and renewal business. Many of our agency partners requested that policies be mailed out upon binding with invoices enclosed in order to make it easier for payment to be remitted to us.

Effective March 15, 2017, Hospitality Insurance Group will be sending invoices on new and renewal business. Many of our agency partners requested that policies be mailed out upon binding with invoices enclosed in order to make it easier for payment to be remitted to us.

Many of our agency partners requested that policies be mailed out upon binding with invoices enclosed in order to make it easier for payment to be remitted to us.

What does this actually mean to our agency partners?

We will no longer be holding new and renewal policies for payments to arrive. Once we receive the bind order and PROOF of payment, we will be mailing our agents the policies along with the invoices. We ask that when you remit payment to us that you enclose the invoice so that we can appropriately match the funds to the correct account.

Endorsements will still be emailed electronically to your agency. The endorsement Additional Premium or Return Premium will be reflected on the last page of the revised declaration page sent to your agency and WILL not be accompanied by an invoice. There is no change to the endorsement processing from what currently exists.

We hope that you will be pleased with this new procedure!

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How New Restaurant Trends Have Affected Liquor Liability Insurance

How New Restaurant Trends Have Affected Liquor Liability Insurance 

Drinking games at bars, BYOB, happy hour, and more. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our CEO John Tympanick, John looks back at the last 25 years in business and how new restaurant trends have affected liquor liability insurance.

25 employees, 6 states, over 440 Massachusetts agents, and 1000+ agents across Connecticut, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. John Tympanick looks back at the last 25 years as Hospitality Insurance Group’s CEO and discusses the restaurant industry trends and changes he has seen over the years that have had an impact on insurance policies.

A lot has evolved over the last 25 years. Take a look at some of the trends we’ve seen in the industry over the years and how in fact it has affected insurance policies of businesses that serve alcohol.   

Ditching The Suit & Tie

More and more companies are looking to promote a laid back workplace and offer beer on Friday’s. What many employers and HR departments don’t understand is they need liability insurance for something like that. What happens when an employee has had too much to drink, and they get in the car, and the unnecessary happens?   

BYOB

Under Massachusetts law, restaurants with 30 seats or fewer, dine-in service, or who already have existing liquor liability insurance are unable to offer “BYOB” allowing a patron to bring in their own alcohol onto their premises.

However, Massachusetts restaurants without an existing liquor license, on the other hand, may or may not be allowed to obtain BYOB licenses depending on the municipality in which they are located.

While BYOB may seem like a great alternative to restaurants that can’t obtain liquor licenses, Tympanick advises that there is still a risk involved.

“A lot of people think by letting someone BYOB; there isn’t a liability. But what happens when someone comes in with their bottle, already intoxicated, and leaves your restaurant? We think there is definitely an exposure there for the restaurant.”

A waitress in Somerville also reacted to the BYOB concept in a blog by Thrillist stating: “I wouldn’t want to work at a BYOB because it makes policing intoxicated customers and preventing over-serving difficult, “but it does shift [some] responsibility away from the server and the restaurant.”

Alcohol In Supermarkets

Remember when alcohol became available in supermarkets like Stop & Shop back in 2006?  Current laws in Massachusetts only permit a maximum of 3 liquor licenses per corporation in the state. This is why you see alcohol available in some grocery stores but not others. We do think that in the next 25 years, Massachusetts will reconsider and make more licenses available to corporations as mentioned in an article here from 2011.

Cork It

Another trend we’ve seen in the last 25 years is charging a “cork fee” where the customer brings the liquor to the restaurant, and they charge you a bottle fee. Although this may help a restaurant save on costs and space for inventory, does having a cork fee increase the liability for a restaurant because they are now charging? We believe either way there is a liability, but ultimately it’s a judge’s decision.

Sunday Funday

Possibly because of the economy, the state has become more lenient on “Blue Laws.” Back in 2003, residents of Massachusetts were not allowed to purchase alcohol on Sundays. Then in 2014, Massachusetts altered its “Blue Laws’’ to allow for retail liquor stores to open as early as 10 am on Sundays.

Increase in Claims For Assault & Battery

As for the insurance industry, insurers have opted to tighten their belts with restaurants by placing sub limits on liquor liability assault and battery coverage. Out of the total number of insurance claims by restaurants, 35% are assault and battery related, a huge increase compared to 25 years ago.

For that reason, Hospitality Insurance Group does not sub-limit their insurance policies to their insured, whereas the majority of our competition charges extra for this coverage.

Restaurants Getting Creative

With more and more restaurants opening, we see that they are looking for a competitive advantage among the competition to stay engaged with their patrons. Creative new restaurant concepts where “flaming drinks” are offered may seem innovative,  what happens if that drink burns someone? Or offering games such as “beer pong” also known as “Beirut” at bars encouraging patrons to drink more.  As more restaurants move toward computerized systems and online technology, cyber security is becoming an area with some large uninsured exposures in some cases. While cyber security is not a current offering at Hospitality Insurance Group, we do see this being a possibility in the future.

But what about the next 25 years and where the hospitality industry is headed?

As allowed by some states, including Connecticut,  restaurants can stay open until 3 or 4 am. Do we think that will end up happening in Massachusetts? Probably not, because nothing good happens after midnight, let alone 3 am.

Despite consumer interest and other states like , we also don’t foresee Massachusetts lifting the current happy hour ban in place.

As for Hospitality Insurance Group, Tympanick says “We’ve seen a lot of our competitors in various states stop offering liquor liability coverage for one reason or another, so we’re here to stay.”

If you’re a restaurant looking for coverage, please contact one of our state representatives to find a local independent insurance agency near you. 

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10 Things to Consider When Choosing an Insurance Agent

One might think choosing an insurance agent should be an easy task. Pick the one that offers you the lowest price, right? Well that’s not necessarily the case and probably shouldn’t be at the top of your list of priorities when choosing the best agent. Lower price can mean inferior coverage and that’s fine until you experience a loss that isn’t covered.

Here are 10 things you should consider when choosing an insurance agent:

  1. Direct Writers vs. Independent Agents: There are two different ways to get coverage from an insurance company. Direct writers are insurance companies that hire their own sales people to write exclusively for that one company; they work for the company that employs them. Independent agents work for the insured, not the company. However, they have contracts with multiple insurance companies and can usually offer you more options.
  2. What type of insurance do you need? Some agents will offer many types of insurance and some will be limited in their offerings. For example, some might only offer personal lines insurance whereas others will offer both personal and commercial lines. If you own a business and are looking for an agent to write your commercial insurance, you want to make sure they have some experience in your industry.
  3. Technical Knowledge & Credentials: You should always ask the agent about their experience before trusting them as your insurance advisor. One indication of their technical knowledge is if they have letters after their name. These letters stand for professional insurance designations that signify a higher level of experience and competence. Some of the more common designations are CIC, CPCU, ARM and CRM. Other things to look for are years of experience and education.
  4. Personality Traits: Agents get paid commissions by the insurance company, so it is important to find one that is honest and trustworthy. They also should be passionate and enthusiastic about what they do, and of course, you should like your agent. It’s much easier to do business with people we like than people we don’t.
  5. Questions to ask: It is okay to ask questions when looking for an agent. In fact, you should be asking questions when deciding who you want to work with. Some good questions are:
    • What are your areas of expertise?
    • What is your reach? Are you local? Statewide? Nationwide?
    • What is your experience in my industry? How many years have you been writing this type of insurance?
    • Do you have any client references?
    • How long have you been in business?
    • How many companies do you represent? Which ones?
  6. Do your homework: Before selecting an agent, you should first do your homework on the agent as well as the agency they’re associated with. Your first step is to google the agent’s name and agency. Are there any news articles about them? Have they faced any lawsuits? Are there any reviews? Have a look at their website. Is it professional? Are there any testimonials? You may also want to look at their social media pages (Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, Instagram) for reviews and educational content.
  7. Expectations: A good way to gauge if the agent can live up to your expectations is by asking them for a quote before you commit to doing business with them. This should give you a good idea of how efficient they are (how fast they can get you a quote), how thorough they are when explaining what coverage you’re afforded in the policy, why the price varies if more than one quote is provided.
  8. Detailed written proposals: Once your agent gets quotes for your business, you should review them carefully. There are different types of carriers and coverages can vary dramatically. Some carriers may have exclusions on their policies removing important coverages. Make sure you work with the agent to ensure you have the coverage you need, even if that means paying a little more.
  9. What to expect after binding coverage: Your agent’s job is not done once you’ve bound coverage and your expectations of them should not end there either. Customer service is what is going to separate a good agent from a great agent. Say you purchased a new piece of equipment, built a new structure or underwent renovations—all of these things, along with many others, can affect your insurance policy. Your agent should be checking in with you periodically throughout the year to ask about any changes that might affect your policy. Your agent should be one that is approachable and reachable at all times because when things do happen, that is when you’ll need them most.
  10. Times change—stay active with your insurance coverages. As mentioned above, you need to stay active with your insurance coverage because things do change over time. Your agent should also be keeping you up to date on important regulations, new laws, changes with your carrier and anything else that might affect you as the end customer.

Of course there are other things you might want to consider when choosing an insurance agent (How close/convenient is their office? Are they licensed in other states if you ever decide to relocate or open another location?), but these are the 10 things we find to be most important when trusting someone to provide you with the best coverage for your individual needs. Remember, you can always switch agents, but it is much better to do your research beforehand and find a great one that you can work with for many years to come.

Kim Rushlow is a Commercial Underwriter at Hospitality Insurance Group.

 

Please be advised that the opinions expressed are the views of the author alone and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity and shall not constitute a legal opinion.

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