All catering businesses need some form of insurance cover. But if you run a mobile catering van, a food truck, or an ice cream van, you will face certain additional risks that fixed-site cafés and restaurants will not have to worry about.
In this post we will explore the insurance you will need to consider for a mobile catering van, to make sure you are covered for all possible risks and liabilities.
What Risks Do Catering Businesses Face?
There are many risks associated with preparing and serving food to members of the public. Any catering business will need cover for any accidents, injuries, and illnesses customers may sustain as a result of interacting with your business, including food poisoning and allergic reactions.
Specific Risks Catering Vans Face
If you have a catering van business, though, you will face additional risks that you would not face if you were running a fixed site café or restaurant. As well as cover for your equipment, you will also need specialist commercial vehicle insurance to cover your catering van. On top of this, the cover you get for your stock will have to extend to provide cover for transit.
Plus, your insurer will have to consider the risks associated with serving different customers in different locations from one week to the next. For example, what if you accidentally hit a child’s head when you’re opening your serving hatch?
Beyond all of these risks, mobile catering vans will have to manage the sort of risks that face any business in any sector, including fires, floods, theft, business interruption, personal injury, and so on.
What Insurance Do I Need For A Mobile Catering Van?
- Public Liability Insurance – This can cover most accidents, injuries, and illnesses members of the public may sustain as a result of interacting with your business, along with any damage you may cause to public property.
- Product Liability Insurance – If a customer ever gets food poisoning, or suffers an allergic reaction, as a result of consuming food you serve, product liability insurance can cover any compensation they may be due, along with any legal fees you may have to pay.
- Commercial Vehicle Insurance – You will need comprehensive cover for your vehicle. This will cover any repairs your vehicle may need following an accident, as well as any repairs that may be necessary for any other vehicles or property involved in an accident.
- Contents Insurance – Cover for your cooking equipment and furnishings, along with your stock. If you have a catering can, the cover you get for your stock will also have to cover it for loss, damage, or spoiling during transit.
- Employer’s Liability Insurance – If you employ any staff, you have a legal obligation to get employer’s liability insurance. This will cover any compensation an employee may be entitled to if they sustain any illnesses or injuries on the job.
Find out more about our specialist catering insurance and who it covers.
Get Specialist Catering Insurance From James Hallam
James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with access to a hand-picked selection of A-rated insurance providers.
We know that no two catering businesses are quite the same, and that mobile caterers face a host of additional risks and liabilities. As a result, we will take the time to get to know you, your business, and your customers. In this way, we can design a catering insurance package that truly meets your needs at a competitive price.