Catering Insurance
Comprehensive business insurance for caterers.
Why choose Howden for Catering Insurance?
We're an insurance broker which specialises in business insurance, and we pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting so our clients don’t have to. Courtesy of the great relationships we have with our selected panel of standard and specialist insurers, we make the process of comparing various catering insurance policies, on your behalf, simple and easy.
Here at Howden, our team of industry experts recognise that each catering policy needs to be as individual as its owner and their business, and that’s why we provide a tailored, personalised service, focused on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your insurance.
Ultimately, whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new caterers' policy, or renew an existing one, just know that we’re here to help.
Benefits of working with Howden:
- You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
- We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
- Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
- Speak with your local branch, within your community.
- We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.
How can Catering Insurance protect my business?
To put it simply, catering insurance is a type of business insurance that’s designed specifically for catering companies and other food service businesses. Only this type of specialist insurance can provide coverage for the unique risks associated with preparing, handling and serving food to clients.
Do I need Catering Insurance?
That’s up to you – but a catering insurance policy can protect you, your business, your staff, and your clients from the number of risks that come with providing a food service. For example, a policy could cover you if:
- An employee is injured
- Your kitchen equipment is lost or damaged
- A client gets food poisoning after they’ve eaten your food
- Your business is a victim of a flood or fire
- Your business is a victim of theft
- You suffer from cyber attack
Without catering cover, you risk being unprotected in the event that any of the above incidents occur.
What types of businesses need Catering Insurance?
The following types of caterers and catering businesses should consider getting specialised insurance cover:
- Cafes and restaurants
- Market traders and stallholders
- Fast food and street food vendors
- Pubs
- Wedding caterers
- Corporate event caterers
What insurance do I need for my catering business?
The types of insurances you and your business need depends on the nature of your catering operation. However, what we can recommend is what most insurance providers offer catering businesses. This includes:
Public liability insurance
Catering public liability insurance can cover you in the event that a third-party, whether they’re a supplier, client, or member of the public, is injured by something you’ve done.
Employers’ liability insurance
Legally required in the UK if you have employees, this insurance covers you if an employee becomes injured or ill as a result of their work.
Product liability insurance
If a customer claims they suffered food poisoning after dining at your restaurant or eating at a catered event, the insurer will investigate the food preparation and handling processes. If the claim is valid, they will cover the associated costs.
Business equipment and contents insurance
If a key piece of catering equipment breaks or is stolen during an event, this insurance would cover the cost of repairing or replacing it. Be sure to let us know exactly which equipment you’d like to covered, so we can find an insurer that can provide the coverage you need.
Get in touch with a member of our specialist team who can help you get a quote that’s perfect for you.
Other types of catering insurance
Not all types of cover come as standard with regular catering insurance policies. Many insurers offer various insurance extras or adds-ons that can support catering businesses, such as:
Commercial Property Insurance
This type of insurance is crucial for caterers who rely heavily on expensive kitchen equipment, vehicles, and stock to operate their business, whether it’s based in a dedicated commercial kitchen or involves off-site catering.
Cyber insurance
Designed to protect your business from the financial impact of cyber threats, such as data breaches, hacking, and other forms of cybercrime.
Business interruption insurance
This helps cover lost income if your business is unable to operate due to unexpected circumstances (e.g., fire, flood, or equipment failure) leading up to or during the event.
Income protection insurance
Financial support is particularly important for caterers, who often rely on physical ability and may be self-employed or running small businesses.
Legal expenses cover
This add-on helps cover the costs associated with legal fees, disputes and claims arising from your catering business, whether you cater for on or off-site events.
Personal accident cover
Catering can involve physical work such as lifting heavy equipment, working in busy kitchens, and dealing with sharp tools or hot surfaces, which makes personal accident cover particularly important.
Types of Catering Insurance
Each catering business and operation is different. That’s why there’re various different types of business insurance for caterers. These are:
Mobile catering insurance
Mobile catering insurance is specifically designed for catering businesses that operate from mobile units, such as a burger van trailer. It provides coverage for the unique risks associated with running a mobile catering business, including liability for accidents, damage to equipment, and more.
We can also offer event cancellation cover, generator cover, and stock insurance cover for these mobile businesses.
Catering van insurance
Catering vans differ mobile catering units in that they have been converted to be utilised as a kitchen. An example of a catering van is an ice cream truck, and we can offer you a unique policy that’s tailored specially to suit the risks these vehicles may face.
How much does Catering Insurance cost?
The cost of catering insurance cover will differ across each and every business. Because each caterer and business is unique and has it’s own coverage needs, the policy they’ll need will be differ and vary in price.
However, there are ways that you could potentially save some money on your catering insurance cover. You could:
- Install safety and security measures: fire alarms, security systems, and other safety equipment can reduce your insurance risk profile, leading to lower premiums.
- Avoid paying in monthly instalments: insurers offer a discount if you pay your premium annually rather than monthly.
- Maintain a clean claims history: avoid making small claims that you can afford to pay for yourself, as multiple claims can increase your premiums.
- Increase your excess: choosing a higher excess (the amount you pay when making a claim) can reduce your premium - just make sure you can afford the excess if you make a claim.
You could also potentially reduce the cost of your insurance premium by speaking to an experienced insurance broker like Howden. We can offer a personalised service that price comparison sites can't, comparing a wide range of catering insurance policies, whilst also getting to know you and your business.
How do I get a Catering Business Insurance quote?
It’s easy to get a catering insurance quote with Howden!
As soon as you provide us with the following details, we can get started right away with helping you find a policy that supports your catering business:
- Your personal details
- The nature of your catering business
- The size of your business
- How long you’ll need cover for
- What level and types of insurance you need
You can get in touch with us today by either visiting us in your local Howden branch, giving us a call on 01993 221 922, or you can Get a Quote via our website!
Catering Insurance FAQs
What insurance do I need to serve food?
To serve food in the UK, you'll need several types of insurance to protect your business, staff, and customers. The essential ones include:
- Public Liability Cover
- Product Liability Insurance
- Employer’s Liability Insurance
- Food Hygiene and Safety Compliance
- Business Equipment Insurance
- Business Interruption Insurance
These are the core insurances for anyone running a food service business in the UK, ensuring you stay protected legally and financially.
What’s not typically covered by a catering insurance policy?
While catering insurance policies offer broad coverage, there are certain things they typically don't cover. These exclusions can vary by provider, but common ones include:
- Intentional Damage: If property damage or injury occurs as a result of deliberate acts by you or your employees, it’s unlikely to be covered by insurance.
- Employee Negligence: Some policies might exclude coverage for claims arising from employee mistakes, unless specifically covered by an additional clause or under employer’s liability insurance.
- Food Poisoning from Poor Hygiene: If food poisoning results from breaches in food hygiene regulations, the insurance might not cover the claim.
- Outdated or Faulty Equipment: If equipment fails due to lack of maintenance or it’s too old, any related damages or losses might not be covered. Policies often expect regular upkeep of equipment.
- Non-compliance with Licensing or Regulations: Failing to have the necessary licences, permits, or meet food safety laws could void claims.
- Losses from Pandemics: Many insurance policies, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, have excluded losses due to infectious diseases or pandemics unless specific cover is purchased.
- Cyber Attacks: If your business relies on technology, losses from cyberattacks or data breaches are usually not covered under a standard catering insurance policy.
- Alcohol-related Incidents: If alcohol is served and an incident occurs as a result, some catering policies won’t cover the claim unless alcohol service is specifically included in the policy.
It’s essential to review your policy carefully and discuss any specific exclusions with your provider to make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered.
Can I get catering insurance for one day?
Yes! Not only can you get catering insurance for a single day, you can also get hourly, weekly or monthly plans. Some insurers are more flexible than others in terms of what they offer, so it’s worth comparing your options before settling on one policy.
You can expect catering insurance for one day to also be referred to as single event insurance, or one-off event insurance, either perfect for weddings, festivals, concert, parties, and much more.
Catering insurance for weddings - how does it work?
Catering insurance for weddings is a safety net, ensuring that both you and your clients are protected in case of unexpected mishaps. It gives peace of mind while allowing you to focus on delivering a memorable experience for the couple and their guests.
Catering insurance for weddings provides specialised coverage tailored to the unique risks involved in catering for large, high-stakes events. It typically includes various types of insurance to protect your business from financial losses due to accidents, damages, or unforeseen circumstances. The types of cover you can expect to be included in a wedding catering insurance policy are:
- Public liability insurance
- Product liability insurance
- Employers’ liability insurance
- Business interruption insurance
- Cancellation insurance
- Alcohol liability insurance
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