Lease and franchise insurance requirements, explained.
Landlords, venues, lenders, and franchisors set insurance requirements in their contracts: specific limits, additional insured wording, waivers, and sometimes liquor or umbrella coverage. These are contract terms to meet, and a certificate alone may not confirm them.
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What these contracts require
Leases and franchise agreements typically spell out minimum liability limits, additional insured and waiver wording, and sometimes required coverages like liquor liability or an umbrella at a stated limit. A franchisor may also require cyber. These are contract terms, and a shortfall can put you in default or hold up a booking.
Why the certificate is not the whole story
A certificate of insurance proves a policy exists, but the additional insured and other endorsements behind it are what actually satisfy the requirement. Treating the certificate as proof of compliance is a common mistake; verifying the endorsements is the real step.
What to verify
Read the insurance section of your lease, venue, lender, or franchise document, compare it to your policy, and confirm the endorsements are issued. Our lease and certificate review does exactly that. This is general information, not legal advice, and not a licensing, health, or compliance determination. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time. Verify current requirements with the appropriate state or local agency, your attorney, your landlord or franchisor, and your carrier.
Common questions.
What insurance does a restaurant lease require?
Does a certificate satisfy my lease?
What if I cannot meet a franchise requirement?
Make sure your coverage matches the requirement
Permits, licenses, and lease rules often create insurance questions. We make sure your coverage lines up with what you are required to carry and prove.
Line your coverage up with what you must prove.
Tell us your requirement and we will make sure your insurance matches.