Anderson venue owners reaching out to state officials, lawmakers
When Moore, past owner of Powdersville Pub, called her State Rep. Thomas Beach, who serves Anderson, Pickens and Greenville counties, her concerns were direct after searching for various options for new insurance as prices began to rise out of control.
“For so many businesses and livelihoods at stake, it’s a shame we have to wait until January,” Beach said. “We have families and people who are trying to provide, and I’m trying to protect that natural right and that is what is important to me.”
According to Beach, to make any change, Gov. Henry McMaster would have to call the Legislature back into session prior to January through an executive order. Statehouse and Senate members would have to revisit the law and go through a committee process to help regulate insurance rates for small entertainment establishments.
While the S.C. Department of Insurance does not have the authority to compel companies to offer liquor liability coverage, they realize the timeliness of the matter.
“We are aware of challenges facing South Carolina business owners today pertaining to the affordability and availability of liquor liability insurance,” said Michael Wise, director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance. “The Insurance industry tells us that several factors are at play when determining the cost of this vital coverage, including rising claim costs, large judgments, settlement payouts, and high coverage.”
Wise also said insurance carriers have recently reported that for every dollar collected in premiums, two dollars are paid out in claims and expenses. He added that carriers are losing money, and this has resulted in fewer willing to provide the insurance in the state.
Currently, the Insurance Department is working to gather data from insurance carriers to provide the Legislature as it works to identify solutions for business owners.
How to help small entertainment venues stay alive in state
In Piedmont, Kynn Tribble, owner of Tribble’s Bar & Grill, is currently assessing an estimate between $50,000 to $100,000 in insurance for his establishment through 2024.
In 2021, Tribble’s insurance cost $5,000 per year. In 2022, it shot up to $20,000 due to open insurance claims pending against their bar.
“To sue someone with no personal responsibility is what is hurting us,” said Tribble. “We’re held accountable for someone else’s actions. You find bottles in parking lots, tall boy beers and even empty medicine bottles.”
Tribble has taken precautions to keep his bar & grill safe, including keeping the Uber app downloaded on a mobile device to drive overly intoxicated patrons home, ending alcohol service an hour prior to closing at 2 a.m. and permanently banning individuals who bring in outside alcohol.
The challenge is to urge locals to take action by asking lawmakers to help the
“For so many businesses and livelihoods at stake, it’s a shame we have to wait until January. We have families and people who are trying to provide, and I’m trying to protect that natural right and that is what is important to me.”
cause.
“We want people to contact their senators, their representatives and email the governor,” said Tribble. “We need
A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.
Samantha Swann covers city news, development and culture in Spartanburg. She is a University of South Carolina Upstate and Greenville Technical College alumna. Contact her at sswann@shj.com or on Instagram at @sam_on_spartanburg.
Joanna Johnson covers trending topics and community news for the HeraldJournal Reach her at jjohnson@gannett.com.