Insurance premiums paid by restaurant patrons (5,7)

I believe the answer is:

cover charges

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'paid by restaurant patrons' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'insurance premiums' is the wordplay.
'insurance' becomes 'cover' (I've seen this before).
'premiums' becomes 'charges' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'cover'+'charges'='COVER CHARGES'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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