Overview of the Program from ProHost USA, Inc.
ProHost USA’s Restaurant EPL Insurance program is a focused Employment Practices Liability (EPL) market designed for restaurants, bars and foodservice operators. As a program administrator, ProHost USA offers agents access to tailored EPL solutions backed by multiple admitted and non-admitted carriers (various carriers) and an underwriting appetite focused on hospitality exposures. The program covers claims made by customers or employees alleging discrimination, harassment and other employment-related wrongs.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
This program works well for single-location restaurants, multi-unit local or regional concepts, quick-service and fast-casual operations, bars and banquet facilities. Typical accounts include independents and small chains where management and employee training is variable and exposure is concentrated at the location level.
- Good fit: independent restaurants, neighborhood bars, small multi-unit operators, food trucks with employees, seasonal restaurants.
- Less suitable: large national chains or accounts requiring large corporate EPL programs — these will require a broader market placement.
- Prior losses, high employee turnover, or known wage-and-hour litigation will require underwriting review.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Covers suits by customers for discrimination or harassment perpetrated by employees or supervisors.
- Covers allegations by employees including harassment, discrimination, failure to hire, wrongful termination and denial of service. The program’s definition of “employee” includes seasonal, temporary and independent contractors.
- Free Human Resources services included for restaurant policyholders to help prevent and defend claims — see details below.
- Wage and hour defense coverage is available as an optional enhancement where permitted.
Included HR Services
- Employment Law Helpline for fast guidance on employment and disciplinary issues.
- Comprehensive criminal background checks for newly hired or promoted restaurant supervisors and managers.
- Internet-based training courses for managers and supervisors focused on harassment prevention and employment best practices.
Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums
Underwriters consider employee counts, turnover, management training, prior EPL or wage-and-hour claims, and risk controls (such as documented harassment policies and training). The program generally requires a minimum premium of $750. Accounts with significant prior litigation or complex multi-state wage-and-hour exposure will require additional underwriting review and may be referred to other markets.
Territories and Availability
This program is available in most states. Current territories include: AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI and WY.
Admitted status: Most available states. Carriers: Various admitted and non-admitted markets depending on state and account characteristics.
Why Work with ProHost USA on Restaurant EPL
- Market access through a program administrator experienced in hospitality exposures.
- Value-add HR services that help reduce frequency and improve defense leverage when claims arise.
- Flexible placement options with wage-and-hour defense available where needed.
- Underwriters who understand the operational realities of restaurants — seasonal staffing, temp workers, and contractor usage are explicitly considered in the program’s definitions and pricing.
Example Scenarios
- You have a 2-location bistro that needs EPL coverage and manager training. This program pairs an EPL policy with included supervisor training and background checks to reduce exposure.
- You represent a regional bar group concerned about customer harassment claims and potential wage-and-hour disputes. The program can provide EPL with optional wage-and-hour defense and HR resources to assist before and after a reported incident.
For submission, include applicant payroll and employee counts, details of any prior EPL or wage-and-hour claims, and information about existing HR policies and training programs to help expedite review.