Insurance for Catering Businesses

Looking into what types of insurance you should consider for your catering business is an important step to managing your business. As a caterer, you know how food can bring people together. Whether you serve your dishes at an event center, a wedding, the community barbeque, or corporate events, making sure your catering business has appropriate coverage is essential. As a caterer, you have plenty “on your plate” to worry about- from meticulously planning menus, to working with vendors. Working with a local insurance agency that can show you coverage options can simplify your to-do list.

Coverage for Lawsuits Against Your Catering Business

Food poisoning is something to be taken seriously. As someone in the catering industry, you likely do everything in your power to avoid it. Despite following food prep guidelines, keeping aware of recent recalls, and carefully monitoring internal cooking temperatures, an overlooked step in your processes could have serious consequences for your clients. In addition to food poisoning, food allergies are another large risk that could expose your business to a lawsuit. A general liability insurance policy can help protect your catering business from claims like property damage and bodily injury. No matter the size of your catering business, you should consider general liability insurance, especially if you work on another person’s property, or have advertising materials.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Transporting your desserts, cakes, and signature dishes from your kitchen to a venue is just another day for a caterer- but also poses some serious risks. You could be involved in accident on your way to a venue, or, while at a venue, your vehicle could be stolen. Even if you serve your dishes at the same location where you prepare them, consider how often you send employees on errands during work hours. A commercial auto policy can cover you if your vehicle is damaged or broken into. Commercial auto policies typically have higher coverage limits than personal policies. If you already have a commercial auto policy in place, reviewing it with a local agent to see if it appropriately covers your business is a smart move. It should also be noted that state regulations will determine how much coverage your business will need.

Click here to read about insurance for food trucks. 

Protecting Your Wait Staff

As a caterer, you rely on your team to make sure your events go off without a hitch. What if one of your staff were to get injured? Even careful, well-trained employees can trip and fall at an event, or burn themselves on a piece of equipment. Workers’ Compensation insurance can help protect your employees from accidents caused by job duties. Depending on what state you live in, if you have employees, you may be required to have Workers’ Compensation.

Commercial Property Insurance

Depending on the size and type of your catering business, you may own or rent a building and equipment. Commercial property insurance can help protect your equipment, building, and even your inventory. Even if your catering business is home-based, shopping commercial property insurance is essential as homeowners insurance policies typically do not provide coverage for business equipment losses. It is important to note that commercial property insurance plans vary from policy to policy, and additional coverages for perils can be added. Reaching out to an insurance agent who is familiar with commercial property insurance can help you better understand what coverages your business may need.  

How Much Does Insurance for Caterers Cost?

How much your catering business will pay for insurance coverage depends on a few factors. The location of your catering business, how many employees you have, and the coverages you choose will all go in to determining how much you will pay. By requesting a quote from us, we can get more details on the type of your business to see what coverages you may need.

How Do I Get an Insurance Quote for My Catering Business?

You can request a quote for your catering business by submitting our form here. At Cross Insurance, we work with the nation’s top insurance carriers to give business owners options. You can also reach out to one of our offices in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York or Florida to connect with a local professional who will collect more information about the type of your catering business. If you need benefits for your business such as medical or dental, read more about how we can help here.

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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.