Liquor Liability in New York

New York General Obligations Law § 11-101 allows an injured person to seek actual and exemplary damages when an unlawful liquor sale or procurement caused or contributed to intoxication. Section 11-100 separately addresses knowingly furnishing alcohol to someone under 21, so describe your age-checking and service controls when you ask for limits.

What Is Liquor Liability Insurance?

Liquor liability can cover claims tied to your business selling, serving or furnishing alcohol. If you run a bar, restaurant or event where you provide drinks, check how the quote treats injuries, property damage and occasional service. Read the national Liquor liability guide.

What Should You Watch for With Liquor Liability Insurance in New York?

  • An Unlawful Sale Can Create a Claim

    Section 11-101 ties recovery to an unlawful sale or assistance in procuring liquor that caused or contributed to intoxication. Ask the broker how the proposed policy addresses claims alleging unlawful service and what conduct exclusions apply. 1

  • Under-21 Claims Have a Separate Rule

    Section 11-100 covers knowingly causing a person under 21 to become intoxicated by unlawfully furnishing alcohol or helping procure it, when the provider knew or had reason to believe the person was under 21. Show the carrier how your venue verifies age and ask whether the application describes those controls accurately. 2

  • Damages Can Include More Than Bodily Injury

    New York § 11-101 lists injury to a person, property, or means of support and permits actual and exemplary damages. Review limits against the full range of claims the statute describes, not just a single injured patron's medical bills. 1

Which Liquor Liability Providers Have New York License Records?

These providers publish a national listing for Liquor liability; the license records below name the licensed entities and roles. Some records rely on company-reported information rather than independent regulator verification. A national listing does not confirm the product is available in New York. Check the regulator’s license lookup and confirm state availability for your business when requesting a quote.

  • Corgi

    Insurance producer · checked 2026-09-28

    Corgi Insurance Services, Inc.

    Corgi’s company producer-license table lists 50 jurisdictions: 49 states and the District of Columbia, including DC license 3003091619. New Mexico does not appear in the table and is not included here; the omission does not establish that Corgi is unlicensed there. The company-reported table has no stated as-of date and does not establish product availability. 13

    Corgi markets liquor liability for eligible veterans’ and fraternal lodges with licensed on-premises bars.

Who Regulates Insurance in New York?

New York State Department of Financial Services

New York DFS supervises insurance companies and producers, administers insurance law and accepts consumer complaints about property and casualty policies, including commercial insurance. 3,4,5,6

Surplus-Lines Tax and Stamping Office in New York

Reported tax rate. 3.6% of gross premium, less returned premium; ELANY stamping fee is 0.15% through 2026 and 0.17% for policies incepting on/after Jan. 1, 2027 7,8,9,10

When New York is the insured’s home state, excess-line tax is 3.6% of gross premium less returned premium. ELANY’s September 20, 2026 bulletin sets a 0.15% stamping fee through December 31, 2026 and 0.17% for policies incepting on or after January 1, 2027; statutory search requirements and guaranty-fund protection depend on the applicable New York excess-line rules.

Excess Line Association of New York

Questions to Ask Before You Buy Liquor Liability in New York

  1. Does this quote address claims alleging an unlawful sale under New York General Obligations Law § 11-101?
  2. How does the policy treat claims that our staff knowingly furnished alcohol to someone under 21?
  3. Are exemplary damages, defense costs, and multiple claimants handled within or outside the stated limit?
  4. Does the application accurately describe our age-verification and alcohol-service procedures?

Liquor Liability Insurance in New York: Frequently Asked Questions

What damages can someone seek under New York’s dram shop law?

The statute allows an injured person to seek actual and exemplary damages for injury to person, property, means of support, or otherwise when an unlawful sale caused or contributed to intoxication. 1

Can a New York business be sued for serving an intoxicated person?

Yes. General Obligations Law § 11-101 allows a claim when an unlawful sale or procurement caused or contributed to the person's intoxication and injury. 1

Can a New York venue face a claim for furnishing alcohol to someone under 21?

Yes. Section 11-100 allows an injured person to seek actual damages when someone knowingly causes a person under 21 to become intoxicated by unlawfully furnishing alcohol or helping procure it. 2

Liquor Liability Insurance Guides for Other States

Other coverage in New YorkEvery coverage guide for New York, plus the regulator and surplus-lines details.

Updated .

This guide is informational and does not determine whether a policy is available or meets your needs. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, contact Spot with a supporting source.

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