When a Brewery Caught Fire—And the Insurance Actually Worked

It was a normal Friday morning when the call came in.

Smoke. Flames. Firetrucks screaming down the street.

A brewery owner—let’s call him Matt—was facing a nightmare. Someone had broken into the building overnight, lit a small fire for warmth, and accidentally set off a chain of destruction that left part of the facility charred and unusable.

The person who started the fire was experiencing homelessness. There was no malice in the act—just desperation in the cold. But the result was the same: smoke damage throughout the taproom, ruined equipment, lost business.

And then came the question that makes your stomach drop: “Am I covered?”

The good news? Yes, Matt was covered—because months earlier, his insurance agent had taken the time to ask the hard questions.

Not just: What’s the value of your building?

But also: How do you use the space? What happens after hours? Who has access? What risks don’t show up on a balance sheet?

That conversation led to a deeper layer of protection—a property policy structured to include nontraditional risks, including damage caused by unauthorized entry and acts like this one. Business interruption was also covered, which meant Matt could keep his staff paid and focus on rebuilding, not just surviving.

Too often, insurance is treated like a checkbox. But the truth is, the difference between rebuilding and bankruptcy can come down to whether your agent asks one more question.

Matt didn’t know he’d need this specific protection. But I did.

If you're a business owner, especially in hospitality, food & beverage, or high-traffic industries—don’t wait for a crisis to find out what’s missing in your policy.

Get curious. Ask more. And partner with someone who isn’t just selling a product—but protecting your story.

If you need a partner you can trust, with experience as an owner just like you...I'd love to chat! Shoot me a message and let's talk about what you have and what you need.