What are the requirements for Ben Jerrys insurance carriers to be considered acceptable?
Ben_Jerrys Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
e), if we have not prepared or previously approved the materials. If you do not receive written notice of disapproval within 10 days after the date we receive the materials, you may assume that we have approved them.
Insurance
You must obtain, before beginning any operations under the Franchise Agreement and must maintain in full force and effect at all times during the term of the Franchise Agreement, at your own expense, an insurance policy or policies protecting you and us. The policies must provide protection against any demand or claim relating to personal injury, death, or property damage, or any loss, liability or expense arising from the operation of your Shop. All policies must be written by a responsible carrier or carriers which we determine to be acceptable, must name us and our affiliates as an additional insured, and must provide at least the types and minimum amounts of coverage specified in the Manual as modified by us. Prior to the opening of your Shop, and on an annual basis thereafter, you must provide to us Certificates of Insurance showing the proper types and minimum amounts of coverage.
At the time of this Disclosure Document, we require the following types and minimum amounts of coverage:
Type of Coverage Minimum Insurance Required
General Liability $2,000,000 general aggregate
$2,000,000 products/completed operations aggregate
$2,000,000 personal & advertising injury
$2,000,000 each occurrence
$50,000 fire damage $10,000 medical expense
Worker's Compensation $500,000/$500,000/$500,000
Note that if you operate
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 37–41)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must secure insurance policies before commencing operations and maintain them throughout the Franchise Agreement term. These policies are designed to protect both the franchisee and Ben Jerrys against claims related to personal injury, death, property damage, loss, liability, or expenses arising from the shop's operation.
Ben Jerrys mandates that all insurance policies be underwritten by carriers deemed acceptable by them. These policies must include Ben Jerrys and its affiliates as additional insured parties. The insurance coverage must meet the types and minimum amounts specified in the Manual, as updated by Ben Jerrys. Franchisees are required to provide Certificates of Insurance to Ben Jerrys, both before the shop opens and annually thereafter, to demonstrate compliance with the required coverage types and amounts.
The minimum coverage requirements at the time of the 2025 Disclosure Document include $2,000,000 for general and products/completed operations aggregate, personal & advertising injury, and each occurrence. Fire damage coverage must be at least $50,000, with $10,000 for medical expenses. Worker's compensation requires $500,000/$500,000/$500,000 coverage. If a franchisee operates an Authorized Warehouse, additional insurance may be required for Off-Premises Activities, Mobile Vending, and associated vehicles, in amounts designated by Ben Jerrys.