Microbrewery Insurance in Massachusetts

What is Craft Brewery Insurance?

Microbreweries frequently begin as small operations. Being small, however, doesn’t protect microbreweries from potential risks. As soon as a Massachusetts brewery begins selling beer commercially, it’s exposed to a number of potential perils -- and should be protected with a microbrewery insurance policy.

Craft brewery insurance, as microbrewery insurance is sometimes called, is an insurance solution that’s specifically made for microbreweries. Most policies are written as package policies, which means they contain several individual policies within them. The individual policies work together to provide a web of protections.

WHAT BUSINESSES IN MASSACHUSETTS SHOULD HAVE CRAFT BREWERY INSURANCE?

Most Massachusetts businesses that sell produce beer for commercial sale should have a craft brewery policy.

This includes microbreweries and eating establishments that have a brewery. Some large breweries may need more protections than craft brewery policies offer, but an insurance agent can help make this determination. In most cases, craft brewery policies offer all the coverages that breweries want.

Businesses that produce hard cider and distilleries may also want an insurance policy that’s similar to a craft brewery policy. The company’s insurance needs, however, are sometimes a little different than those of a brewery that makes beer. An experienced insurance agent can help hard cideries and distilleries decide whether they want a craft brewery policy or another, similar type of insurance.

What Protections Do Microbrewery Insurance Policies Provide?

The individual policies inside package policies can usually be customized, so the exact protections that microbrewery policies provide can vary. Some of the coverages that a microbrewery might want to look for include:

General Liability Coverage, which is a protection that most businesses need

Commercial Property Coverage, which a microbrewery likely should have if it owns its own facilities

Commercial Auto Coverage, which microbreweries that own vehicles usually must carry

Business Interruption Coverage, which can help make up for revenue that’s lost due to a covered peril

Restaurant Property Coverage, which microbreweries that have pubs or restaurants often need

Tank Collapse and Tank Leakage Coverages, which can help protect against certain losses related to tank malfunctions

Most microbreweries also need workers compensation insurance. This protection, however, is typically bought as a separate policy.

Are Craft Brewery Policies’ Premiums Tax Deductible?

In most cases, breweries can deduct their craft brewery policy’s premiums as long as the premiums are used to insure the business (rather than as a personal insurance policy). Because tax laws can be complex and vary from year to year, breweries should contact an accountant to make sure their particular premiums payments are tax deductible.

Is Craft Brewery Insurance Expensive?

Craft brewery policy’s premiums are calculated on a case-by-case basis, and some breweries end up paying more than others. A small microbrewery in Springfield, MA that’s just starting up may end up paying less than a Boston, MA brewery that distributes to many different states, because the microbrewery likely has a lower risk exposure. To find out exactly how much a craft brewery policy will cost a particular Massachusetts brewery, the brewery must request quotes.

Microbrewery Insurance in Massachusetts

What is Craft Brewery Insurance?

WHAT BUSINESSES IN MASSACHUSETTS SHOULD HAVE CRAFT BREWERY INSURANCE?

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What Protections Do Microbrewery Insurance Policies Provide?

Are Craft Brewery Policies’ Premiums Tax Deductible?

Is Craft Brewery Insurance Expensive?

How Can Microbreweries Request Quotes on Microbrewery Insurance?

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