Assault & Battery Coverage

Assault and battery (A&B) coverage responds to lawsuits alleging that a customer, patron, or bystander was injured by a physical altercation, attack, or use of force on the insured's premises — including claims that the business failed to provide adequate security. It matters most for liquor-serving and high-traffic venues: bars, nightclubs, concert halls, restaurants, and special event operators. Because A&B arises from an intentional act, most standard general liability policies either exclude it outright or limit it, so the real coverage lives in an endorsement that adds it back — often with its own sublimit below the policy's main limit.

For a small-business buyer, the critical detail is the gap between the base exclusion and what the endorsement restores. A tavern might carry a $1,000,000 general liability limit but only a $50,000 or $100,000 A&B sublimit — a fraction of what a serious injury or wrongful-death suit can cost. Underwriters also scrutinize the venue's security practices, occupancy, hours, and whether it serves alcohol late; poor controls can mean higher sublimits, higher deductibles, or a flat A&B exclusion. A&B coverage frequently sits alongside liquor liability, since intoxicated patrons and fights often go hand in hand.

The practical move is to read the declarations for the A&B sublimit, the definition of assault and battery (some forms also fold in claims for negligent hiring, training, or security), and any exclusions for firearms or off-premises incidents. Venues with a real fight or crowd-control exposure should push for the highest sublimit available — ideally matching the full policy limit — and pair it with documented security staffing and incident logs, which help both at renewal and in defending a claim. Buyers should never assume a headline liability limit applies to an A&B loss; the sublimit is what actually pays.