Are The Incidents Depicted In ‘The Bear’ Actually Insurable?
Chris Rhodes is the chief insurance officer at NEXT .
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In discussions with friends who work in the restaurant business, The Bear is one of the most accurate depictions of restaurant culture currently on television. From the energetic pace in the kitchen to the continuous “behind” callouts, every restaurant owner or employee can relate in some way to the good (and bad) moments that the show so brilliantly depicts.
With more than 10,000 new restaurants opening across the U.S. last year, the show is also a wake-up call for just how critical business insurance is for restaurant owners. As someone who has built their career around insurance and providing small businesses with the coverage they need to ensure they are always protected, I found myself glued to the dark comedy thinking about the types of policies that would cover the restaurant’s incidents and what its insurance premiums would be.
If you’ve opened a restaurant before, the chaos that The Bear embodies might feel a little too close to home. With everything that can go wrong in the early days, it’s smart to lock in business insurance right from the start. According to our company’s analysis, about 45% of the most common restaurant claims fall under commercial property insurance, but the most popular policies to consider are general liability, commercial property, commercial auto, liquor liability and workers’ compensation. Restaurant owners can oftentimes combine general liability and commercial property into a single policy called business owner’s policy insurance, which is customized based on their specific needs.
Insurance premiums are determined based on a multitude of factors, including size of business, coverage amount and type, claims history, business assets, number of employees, location and more. From what I know about The Bear and the kinds of policies it would need, I can estimate its insurance premiums would range from $2,000 to $6,000 annually, depending on its specific risk factors and coverage levels.
For inquiring minds of restaurant owners, entrepreneurs or just fans of the show, here is a breakdown of three incidents from Season 1, the types of coverage they would need and if, in fact, they would be covered by insurance.
Incident One: Carmen’s Pack Of Cigarettes Near The Stove
(Season 1, Episode 2)
In one tense moment during the restaurant’s health inspection, restaurant owner Carmen Berzatto leaves a pack of cigarettes dangerously close to the stove. This poses a significant fire risk, which is one of the most expensive threats a restaurant can face.
The type of policy this incident would fall under is commercial property insurance, which typically covers damages from fires. If an accidental fire were to start, the policy would generally cover the damages to the building and equipment, assuming the restaurant is properly insured and not in violation of any policy terms related to negligence.
Incident Two: Power Outage And Plumbing Issues
(Season 1, Episode 5)
In episode five, the restaurant’s major power outage and plumbing issues cause disruptions to operations and result in potentially spoiled food from the broken walk-in freezer. According to our data, equipment breakdowns, such as a broken freezer, happen to be the most common insurance claim among restaurants.
For this type of incident, commercial property insurance typically covers lost revenue, spoiled food and water damage. This type of policy provides a range of coverage and protects properties that are damaged by water, fire, wind, vandalism and other risks. If the power outage or plumbing issues were found to be the result of negligence or lack of regular maintenance (highly likely in this scenario!), an insurance company might deny the claim.
Incident Three: Richie’s Knife Accident
(Season 1, Episode 7)
As the restaurant gets up and running, we witness major dysfunction from the kitchen crew, which results in sous-chef Sydney Adamu accidentally stabbing Richie Jerimovich in the rear with a knife.
Workplace injuries like these occurring on the job are another common claim among restaurants and would be covered under workers’ compensation. This type of insurance is designed to cover work-related injuries and illnesses, such as medical expenses, lost wages and more. Given the hazardous nature of kitchen work, it’s important for restaurants to have this coverage to protect their employees and their businesses from pricey claims.
Prepare For The Unexpected
With the latest release of The Bear season three, it’s only natural for binge-watching fans (myself included) to wonder what mishaps, inconveniences and incidents will happen this season at the family-owned restaurant. If the show has taught us anything about the restaurant industry, it’s that things never go according to plan.
The Bear dramatizes many of the struggles faced by restaurant owners, but it also highlights the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. All of these incidents depicted in the show—equipment breakdown, employee injuries, water damage, fire, power outages and spoilage—are among the top insurance claims across restaurants. With restaurants projected to have their biggest year ever in sales, preparing for the day-to-day risks can help business owners protect their business and continue to thrive.
The information provided here is not investment, tax or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.
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