Is it illegal to own a bar without insurance?

Question

This in the state of Wyoming.

Answer 1

I don't know about illegal. However, it would be extremely unwise.

Example: Somebody comes int your bar, has one beer and leaves. 20 Minutes later a 15 year old gang wannabe attempts to carjack him as a part of his initiation. However, the would be carjacker stumbles as he is trying to open the door, falls, and the guy who was in your bar takes the opportunity to floor it to get away, thus running over the kid, breaking his back, and leaving him a quadriplegic.

The police arrive and give the driver a breathalyzer test. Although he blows below the legal limit he has clearly been drinking. So... the family of the kid decides to sue the bar owner for serving the beer that "clearly contributed to the tragedy". It doesn't matter if it is a frivolous lawsuit. Win or loose it will still take you a minimum of several thousand dollars to defend yourself.

Don't laugh, this kind of thing can and does happen all of the time. It only costs the plaintiff less than $200 to file the suit and see if you will pay them to go away.

Answer 2

In Wyoming? Probably ok to own a bar without insurance..ANYWHERE in the United States? Stupid as all hell unless you WANT to be living under a bridge in less than five years.

Answer 3

I generally don't like to chime in when so many people are saying the same thing, but I feel very strongly that going without insurance for a bar is VERY risky.

General Liability helps to protect you from the patrons that get hurt or at least pretend they got hurt in your bar while they were drunk. Liquor Liability helps to protect you from the liability you take on as a server of alcohol. If someone is drunk or has been drinking and you "let" them drive home, you are viewed as responsible for their well being. Even if someone got drunk at another bar and came in and had one drink in your bar and then drove, you become ultimately responsible as the last bar they drank in.

I realize that these coverages can be a large expense, but I can guaranty you that the cost to defend yourself in one of these types of lawsuits, WHICH WILL HAPPEN, is far greater an expense. I urge you to speak to an independent insurance agent in your area and think very hard about deciding not to carry insurance.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I'd ask your state for the correct answer. The address where you got your liquor license should be able to answer this.
But, besides if it is illegal or not you need at least a million in liability for this type of business, with things going the way they are it will get to the point that if I leave your bar drunk and hit someone, they are coming after you when they get done with me.

Answer 5

Well, it's illegal to run it without a liquor license. But I don't think you're REQUIRED to carry liquor liabiltiy, in order to get a license.

You DO, however have to provide workers compensation to any employees. And you can be shut down by the state workers comp board if you don't have it.

MOST of the time, it's the landlord that requires you to buy the insurance - it's required by contract, though, and not by law.

Answer 6

In the state of Ohio it is. I do not see Wyoming being too much different. Liquor liability coverage is mandated.

Answer 7

Illegal .. I don't know. Ask an attorney

Dumb? Yes, do you want to risk losing your bar business and more if someone has an accident? Or something happens to your bar?

In that business, something WILL happen. It is just a matter of when.

Answer 8

I don't know about the laws of Wyoming, but it unwise to operate without insurance. One small mishap can lead to bankruptcy.

Answer 9

The state liquor commission will not issue a license without proof of financial responsibility...insurance is the easiest and least expensive way to go.

Answer 10

Without knowing anything about WY laws, it is usually accurate to say that you can own anything without insurance. Operating it without such protection is a different story.