Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
December 15, 2025
Viva Beverage Law Updates SC Liquor Liability Insurance Guidance
TLDR
- Viva Beverage Law's guidance helps South Carolina alcohol businesses reduce required liquor liability insurance coverage by up to $500,000 through specific mitigation strategies.
- South Carolina businesses selling alcohol after 5 p.m. must maintain $1 million liquor liability coverage, but can reduce it by implementing measures like server training or early closing.
- These updated insurance guidelines help South Carolina businesses operate more safely and responsibly while reducing financial burdens, creating a better environment for communities and patrons.
- South Carolina alcohol businesses can now submit mitigation documentation through MyDORWAY starting November 2025, potentially lowering insurance requirements by implementing specific operational changes.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because liquor liability insurance represents a significant operational cost for South Carolina's alcohol businesses, including restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries. The updated guidance helps these businesses navigate complex regulatory requirements while potentially saving thousands of dollars through mitigation strategies. For business owners, understanding these requirements means avoiding costly compliance violations and maintaining their licenses. The changes also reflect evolving alcohol regulations that balance public safety with business viability, affecting the entire hospitality industry's bottom line and operational flexibility in a state with growing craft beverage sectors.
Summary
Viva Beverage Law, a South Carolina-based legal firm specializing in beverage law, has announced updated guidance to help alcohol businesses navigate evolving liquor liability insurance requirements and identify new opportunities for coverage mitigation. The firm, founded by Lauren Acquaviva who brings six years of experience litigating alcohol licensing and tax matters at the South Carolina Department of Revenue, is expanding its educational outreach to assist retailers, restaurants, manufacturers, and hospitality businesses. Their expertise covers breweries, distilleries, restaurants, retailers, wholesalers, and importers, helping them remain compliant with state law while exploring potential cost-saving measures tied to coverage obligations.
Under South Carolina Code Section 61-2-145, businesses licensed to sell beer, wine, or liquor for on-premises consumption that remain open after 5 p.m. must maintain a liquor liability insurance policy or general liability policy with a liquor liability endorsement, with total coverage of at least $1 million during their biennial permit period. However, mitigation factors can significantly reduce this requirement: stopping alcohol service by midnight, requiring employees to complete approved alcohol server training, keeping alcohol sales below 40% of total revenue, or using a qualifying forensic digital ID verification system between midnight and 4:00 a.m. may reduce the required annual aggregate limit by $100,000 to $500,000 depending on which criteria are met. Beginning November 1, 2025, new applicants and renewing licensees can submit mitigation documentation through MyDORWAY, with qualifying reductions potentially taking effect for liquor liability policies starting January 1, 2026.
Coverage requirements vary by license type, with permanent licensees needing at least $300,000 and special event licensees requiring $150,000. Businesses with questions about insurance compliance, mitigation requirements, or licensing procedures can explore additional resources on the firm's website and submit individual inquiries through the firm's online portal. Viva Beverage Law invites South Carolina alcohol businesses to reach out for clarification or further guidance on these regulatory changes, offering specialized assistance through their comprehensive understanding of South Carolina beverage law and administrative procedures.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Viva Beverage Law Updates SC Liquor Liability Insurance Guidance
