Restaurant Insurance

Protecting Your Food Service Business: Essential Restaurant Insurance Solutions from Kitchen Fires & Equipment Damage.

Running a restaurant comes with many operational risks. From kitchen fires and equipment breakdowns to customer injuries, these challenges can impact both your operations and financial stability. Having comprehensive insurance ensures your business is protected and able to recover quickly.

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Oegema, Nicholson & Associates provides hospitality insurance in Canada. Proudly independent and rooted in the Ottawa community, ONA specializes in commercial restaurant insurance tailored to the unique needs of your business.

Our goal is to give restaurant owners peace of mind, so you can focus on serving your customers while we handle the details of your coverage.

Restaurant Insurance

Why Restaurant Insurance is Vital for Hospitality Businesses in Canada

The hospitality industry operates in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

Restaurants, cafes, and bars must manage perishable inventory, kitchen equipment, high foot traffic, and busy staff schedules. Without proper protection, a single incident, like a customer slip or a kitchen fire, can have devastating financial and reputational consequences.

Commercial restaurant insurance and hospitality insurance are essential for business continuity. These policies cover a broad range of exposures, ensuring that your restaurant can recover from incidents without suffering long-term setbacks. ONA’s restaurant insurance services help mitigate the unique risks associated with the food service industry.

ONA makes coverage simple and accessible. We work closely with each client to understand your operations, identify potential risks, and recommend tailored insurance solutions.

Whether you run a small cafe or a large fine dining establishment, our goal is to protect your investment and your customers.

Key Risks in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry

Restaurants face unique exposures that can vary depending on their size, cuisine, and service style. ONA’s commercial restaurant insurance solutions cover a wide range of risks, going beyond standard small business insurance, so you can operate with confidence.

Food Contamination

Contamination or spoilage can occur for many reasons, including equipment failure, supplier issues, or power outages. Insurance for restaurants covers property damage, product replacement, and lost income if you need to close temporarily. This coverage ensures your business can recover quickly and maintain customer trust.

Customer Injury

Slips, falls, and allergic reactions are common liability risks in restaurants. Commercial restaurant insurance helps cover medical payments, legal defence, and settlements in the event a customer is injured on your premises. This protection is essential for maintaining both customer safety and your financial security.

Additional Risks

Restaurants also face broader exposures, including:

Property damage from fires, floods, or storms.
Employee theft or dishonesty.
Cyber risks for online ordering, digital payment systems, and reservation platforms.
Legal claims related to employment practices or contract disputes.

By addressing these risks proactively, ONA ensures your restaurant can continue operating even when unexpected events occur.

Essential Coverages in Commercial Restaurant Insurance

ONA accesses multiple trusted insurers to provide customized hospitality insurance solutions and insurance for restaurants that match your business type and scale. Key coverage highlights include:

Protection For Building Damage

• Protection for buildings, kitchen gear, furniture, and inventory against damage or theft.

• Coverage for equipment, including refrigeration, cooking appliances, and espresso machines.

Liability Insurance

• General liability for customer injuries and property damage.

• Liquor liability coverage for bars, pubs, and establishments serving alcohol.

Business Interruption

• Compensation for lost income during closures caused by insured events such as fires or floods.

• Coverage for ongoing expenses including payroll, rent, and utility bills.

Food Spoilage and Contamination

• Reimbursement for spoiled or contaminated food due to power failures, equipment malfunctions, or supplier issues.

• Optional coverage for recall expenses and cleanup costs.

Cyber and Data Liability

• Protection against digital risks including online ordering breaches, ransomware attacks, and compromised payment systems.

• Critical for fine dining restaurants and franchises with digital reservations or customer data storage.

Tailored Coverage for Different Business Types

• Fast-casual restaurants receive streamlined commercial restaurant insurance focused on essential property, liability, and spoilage coverage.

• Fine dining establishments benefit from extended coverage, including cyber liability, and business interruption.

• Bars and pubs require liquor liability and property coverage to meet compliance requirements.

• Food trucks can access specialized insurance that combines mobile property, liability, and vehicle coverage.

These tailored solutions ensure your insurance evolves as your restaurant grows, keeping you protected at every stage.

Why Choose ONA for Your Restaurant Insurance and Hospitality Insurance Canada

As one of the largest independent insurance brokerages in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, ONA is independent, local, and deeply connected to the community. We live and work alongside our clients, giving us a unique understanding of the Canadian hospitality sector.

Our mission is to bring peace of mind through insurance made easy. With over 60 years of experience, we provide community-driven support, personalized service, and integrity. We maintain strong relationships with insurers who offer innovative, reliable, and long-lasting commercial insurance solutions.

Choosing ONA means:

Receiving unbiased advice from brokers who work for you, not the insurer.
Accessing custom-fit hospitality insurance solutions that reflect your operations and risks.
Building long-term relationships based on trust, local expertise, and proven results.

Whether you manage a local café, a franchise chain, a fine dining establishment, or a food truck, ONA ensures your coverage is comprehensive and aligned with your business needs.

Secure Your Restaurant with ONA's Commercial Restaurant Insurance

Restaurants and hospitality businesses face constant operational risks, from daily hazards to major incidents. Protecting your business with comprehensive restaurant insurance allows you to focus on delivering exceptional experiences while ONA handles your protection.

Our commercial restaurant insurance solutions cover everything from property and equipment to liability, food spoilage, and cyber threats. With ONA, your restaurant has a partner committed to helping you recover quickly and operate with confidence.

Speak with a broker today to explore how ONA’s hospitality insurance in Canada can protect your restaurant and ensure your customers continue enjoying safe and memorable experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is restaurant insurance?

Restaurant insurance protects food service businesses from financial losses due to property damage, liability claims, food spoilage, cyber threats, and other operational risks.

Do restaurants in Canada need insurance?

Restaurants, cafes, bars, and food trucks face unique risks, from kitchen fires to customer injuries. While certain types of insurance are legally required, having comprehensive coverage is essential for protecting your business, employees, and customers.

Do bars or pubs need different insurance?

Yes. Businesses serving alcohol require liquor liability coverage in addition to standard restaurant insurance to comply with provincial regulations and protect against alcohol-related claims.

How much does restaurant insurance cost in Canada?

Premiums vary based on restaurant size, type, location, and coverage limits. ONA provides tailored quotes to ensure businesses pay only for the coverage they need.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Real stories from people who trust
Oegema, Nicholson & Associates Insurance

“One call to Oegema, Nicholson & Associates is all it took. After our basement flooded, within a day or two they had a crew cleaning everything up, taking down the drywall and itemizing everything to be cleaned, thrown out or restored. They had everything in place for us in a timely manner and were extremely patient with me as they talked me through the process and waited for me to make decisions.”

Jennifer Parks, Stittsville, Ontario

“I’ve been dealing with ONA for over 20 years with my personal insurance, as well as our commercial insurance, and I know I can rely on them for great customer service, and prompt responses. I feel confident not only referring them to my employees, but to our customers as well.”

Charlene Brunet, Butler Group of Company

“ONA helps me with my personal insurance and my business insurance. They are my one stop shop when it comes to insurance and group benefits. I know I’m covered in all areas. Great friendly service and knowledgeable staff!”

James Carriveau, President, Exact Interlock and Exact Properties

“It’s always a pleasure to deal with Oegema, Nicholson & Associates, and I can depend on them for all my insurance needs. I have been a client for several years and whether it’s regarding my personal insurance, or anything to do with our employee benefits or commercial needs, I know I’m taken care of.”

Rhonda, Capital Dodge

“I would like to thank Carol for everything she has done for me and my family over the years. It is my honest belief that we would not be in the position we are in if it was not for her guidance, expertise and honesty. We can’t begin to thank her enough.”