Common Risks in Coffee Shops
Think of your favorite coffee shop, with its calming atmosphere and enticing aromas. From an insurance perspective, it might not be the first business type that comes to mind as having a multitude of insurance risks; however, when you examine them closely, there’s more than you might expect.
In fact, according to our
Restaurant Risk Report, compiled from a review of restaurant class codes as a means to reveal emerging industry trends, cafes and coffee shops actually yield the highest amount of lost time in the workplace due to employee injuries, with 45% more time lost than all other restaurant types.
Coffee Shop Risk Assessment to Reduce Workplace Injuries
Coffee shop owners should create a robust risk management plan that can help reduce some of the common insurance risks they face. Being aware of the common reasons employees get injured on the job is the first step, helping to reduce the amount of work-related accidents in their establishment. But, injuries aren’t the only risks coffee shops face. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common insurance risks coffee shops encounter:
Muscle Strains or Sprains from Slips and Falls
Slips and falls account for a substantial amount of workplace accidents and injuries, and coffee shops are no exception. Wet and slippery floors due to spills from beverages and food, or an interruption in good housekeeping practices can cause slips and falls for employees and customers. Trips can occur from uneven flooring or insufficient lighting in certain areas.
If a customer is injured due to the shop’s products or is injured on the property, the shop (and its insurance carrier) might be on the hook for medical bills, and pain and suffering. For employers, they’re likely to have a
workers’ compensation claim on their hands should an employee be a slip and fall injury victim.
Burns or Cuts
Perhaps the most obvious coffee shop risk is burns from hot coffee. For customers, this risk presents itself when served coffee that is “too hot” (for example, the high-profile case of Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurant) and/or the cup’s lid is not properly secured, causing it to spill and cause a burn injury. This can open up a coffee shop business to lawsuits for customers seeking compensation for their injuries.
Employees are also at risk for burns while using equipment to prepare coffee, or from the coffee itself. Incorrect equipment settings, defective electrical wiring, etc. could heat coffee to an unsafe level. In addition, if the coffee shop serves food like sandwiches, employees are at risk for cuts from preparing these items, especially if
sharp knives are involved.
Repetitive Motions
Lateral epicondylitis and medial epicondylitis, better known as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, respectively, are two conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the tendons connected to the elbow (tennis elbow affects the outside of the arm, while golfer’s elbow occurs on the inside of the arm). In both cases, these conditions are caused by repetitive motions that put strain on the arm.
When you think about how many cups of coffee are made in a day, using the same equipment repeatedly, lifting jugs of milk, grinding coffee beans and so on, you can see why a barista might succumb to tennis/golfer’s elbow, which could lead to a workers’ comp claim.
Property
Coffee shops require the use of expensive machinery, like espresso machines and coffee grinders. Most shops have furniture like seating and tables for their patrons. There is inventory like the coffee itself, food, milk – all of which are subject to damage should a refrigeration unit break down and cause these items to spoil. The shop’s property is also an insurance coverage consideration – the building, outdoor furniture (if applicable), signage, etc.
Cybersecurity Attacks
Cybercrime is persistent threat, especially for small businesses. Why do cybercriminals seek out small businesses? They're often easy targets and are prey for identity thieves because they typically have less security in place than larger companies. A data breach at a coffee shop location could compromise customer data, such as financial information. It's important coffee shop owners and employees understand some of the most common types of cyber attacks, how to prevent a cybersecurity breach, and owners should ensure the business is covered with a robust cyber liability insurance policy.
AmTrust Financial For Coffee Shop Insurance Coverage
AmTrust Financial has insurance coverages designed for small businesses: property and casualty, businessowners, workers’ compensation, cyber liability and more. Additionally, we provide coverage catered to a variety of restaurant types, as well as a wide range of loss control resources and information.
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This material is for informational purposes only and is not legal or business advice. Neither AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates represents or warrants that the information contained herein is appropriate or suitable for any specific business or legal purpose. Readers seeking resolution of specific questions should consult their business and/or legal advisors. Individual coverage may vary and may not be available in all states. In the event of a conflict with the material herein, the terms and conditions of any issued policy will control. Claim examples are general, may or may not be based on actual claims, and are for illustrative purposes only. Any available coverage for a claim will be determined based on the facts and circumstances of the claim as well as the terms and conditions of the policy, including any applicable exclusions or deductibles.