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Catering businesses juggle numerous risks daily – spoiled food, venue damage, staff injuries, and transit delays. One lawsuit or equipment loss can wipe out your profits or bankrupt your company. Catering insurance provides a financial safety net, keeps clients confident, and is often required by venues and event organizers.
Pro tip: Many clients now ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before booking. No insurance = no gig.
1. General Liability Insurance
Related: How Much is General Liability Insurance?
2. Product Liability Insurance
3. Commercial Property Insurance
4. Commercial Auto Insurance
Related: Commercial Auto Insurance Explained
5. Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Read more: Workers’ Compensation Insurance – Complete Guide
6. Liquor Liability Insurance
7. Inland Marine Insurance
8. Business Interruption Insurance
| Coverage Type | Monthly Avg. | Annual Avg. |
| General Liability | $25 – $67 | $299 – $850 |
| BOP (Liability + Property) | $40 – $85 | $480 – $1,020 |
| Workers’ Compensation | $90 | $1,084 |
| Commercial Auto | $164 | $1,963 |
| Liquor Liability | $65 | $780 |
| Cyber Liability (optional) | $145 | $1,740 |
Factors that affect cost:
Compare Cheap Small Business Insurance Quotes
| Provider | Best For | Highlights |
| FLIP | Food-only caterers | $299/year policies, strong liability focus |
| Thimble | One-off events | Hourly/daily coverage, instant COIs |
| NEXT Insurance | Small business packages | Fast quotes, modern UX |
| The Hartford | Full-service caterers | Established BOPs, strong claims support |
| Progressive | Commercial auto bundles | Great for delivery-based operations |
Even the best policies won’t cover:
Always read your policy details or speak to a licensed agent.
Want lower premiums and fewer claims? Implement these:
Choosing the right policy isn’t just about finding the lowest premium. It’s about getting coverage that matches the scale, scope, and risk profile of your catering operations. Here’s how to do it smartly:
1. Assess Your Risk Profile
2. Choose the Right Carrier Type
3. Don’t Skimp on Liability Limits
Go for at least $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate, especially if you cater weddings, corporate events, or public venues.
Understanding real claims helps you visualize the importance of coverage and avoid mistakes. Here are actual scenarios pulled from catering business forums and case studies:
Example 1: Spoiled Wedding Feast
A power outage at the prep kitchen caused seafood spoilage. The caterer unknowingly served it at a wedding. 14 guests fell ill. The caterer paid $38,000 in settlements and medical bills. Product liability insurance covered all costs.
Example 2: Scalding Injury
A server spilled hot coffee on a guest while navigating a crowded buffet. The guest required skin grafts and sued for $110,000. General liability kicked in, covering legal fees and damages.
Example 3: Stolen Van and Equipment
A catering van loaded for an outdoor brunch was stolen from the hotel parking lot. Without inland marine coverage, the $12,000 loss would have come out of pocket. Thankfully, the owner had a strong BOP (business owner’s policy) with added transit protection.
A surprising number of caterers void their policies due to basic mistakes. Avoid these:
The catering world isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you operate in a niche, your risks and needs shift:
Food Trucks Offering Catering
You’ll need a combo of mobile food vendor insurance + event liability. Add commercial auto and foodborne illness protection.
See: Food Truck Insurance Guide
Wedding & Event Specialists
High expectations and emotional stress lead to more lawsuits. Opt for higher liability limits, business interruption, and a robust professional liability rider in case of service failure claims.
Private Chefs Offering Drop-Offs
A smaller footprint, but exposure remains. Add inland marine for transit and tools, plus property insurance if you prep from home. Read more on our private chef insurance guide.
A: Yes. One accident or food poisoning case can lead to costly lawsuits. Short-term insurance is cheap and required by many venues. Providers like Thimble offer short-term policies tailored for single events.
A: No. You’ll need a business policy. Otherwise, claims may be denied.
A: Instant policies are available through providers like NEXT and Thimble. You can get covered in under 10 minutes.
A: Even part-timers need coverage. One lawsuit can affect your personal finances.
A: While not always legally required, many venues and clients mandate proof of insurance before hiring.
A: Absolutely. Home-based caterers face similar risks and should have appropriate coverage.
Catering insurance isn’t optional – it’s essential. From food safety to vehicle damage and client injury, the risks are real. A tailored insurance policy gives you the protection, professionalism, and peace of mind to grow with confidence.
Ready to get covered?
Compare Catering Insurance Quotes Now
Sources & References
10 / 10
For me this company has proven to be the best to do business with and worth my hard earned money. Contractors this is your company look no further.
7.7 / 10
Decent experience with Hiscox business insurance
10 / 10
Good company. Good and knowledgable customer service. If they don't know something they will pass you on to a more experienced rep that is more knowledgable. So far so good.
10 / 10
Best insurance ever
10 / 10
Coolest concept, I wish this was applied to other insurance products too.
9.4 / 10
Fastest ever online insurance quote and purchase! Also, great rates and professional customer reps that helps with whatever you need, if you need. Nice company!
2.8 / 10
Embroker sells a product that it doesn't honor. We purchased a combination D&O and EPLI policy. However, when it came to renewal, it told us that we only had D&O coverage even through our ACCORD certificate clearly mentions we have both. Basically they refused to honor the EPLI coverage and will leave you hanging with the bag. At time of renewal, they more than doubled our quote to get similar coverage. Basically BAIT & SWITCH. Unacceptable tactics. Easy to buy and pay but you may not be... Read More
2.8 / 10
Great platform. Terrible policy. There is no teeth behind it. No coverage. It's a fake policy that they sell. Sold us an EPLI policy that later we came to find out had no EPLI coverage. Amazing that they can get away with outright fraud. Check the positive reviews. They are all 'Anonymous' posted by Emroker staff. Stay away and find a real policy that will actually provide you coverage. We've been bitten by them and hope to find restitution via a lawsuit.
Paul Burns Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
It has been 70 days since I made a claim on the roof of my building. No one from the company will return calls. We are in hurricane season and located in Louisiana. My building is tarped to secure it.
Felicia Broadus Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
They are the worst, my truck was hit in January 23 and the claim adjuster has not been out to this very day! They have every excuse in the book as to why. They have not been to the collision shop. PLEASE AVOID THESE SCAM ARTIST!
Felicia Broadus Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Avoid these SCAM ARTISTS! They don’t pay claims!!! Save yourself the trouble and money!
Kasey Arey Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
This company gives you a price that was in place for a year and when you have to use it there is fine print were they can go back and charge you more. Would not recommend them to any one. Crooks
John Murphy Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Worst insurance comapny I have ever dealt with. A commercial vehicle represented by GUARD t boned my wife and daughters family vehicle in the middle of the day. Driver was cited and insurance claim insued. Fast forward 4 months and refusal of full amount of claim is still happening. Driver was found guilty, repairs started on my vehicle and when it comes to the final bill and diminished value we cannot get any help. I am out a family car, have an injured and traumatized wife and children,... Read More
Harshadray Patel Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Extremely bad service, when you call , will make you wait on the phone for ever (over an Hour) and still no one to answer , so you end up hanging up. To cancel the policy, bounce you from one department to the other. They are supposed to refund from the date other insurance started and after sending the proof of other insurance policy, still they did not refund based on that actual date instead they use the date i managed to get hold of them. They charged me $7000.00 for a year's insurance on... Read More
Aaron Wensel Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
Guard Insurance is terrible. They were so bad I cancelled them because them couldn't figure out why I would never get a paper copy of the bill . Verified my address with them and still intermittent billing. I cancelled them in March through my local broker. Today 6/27 I get a letter in the mail from a collections company saying I owe 87.97. This was the first myself or my broker heard of owing this money. Here is some advice for this failure of a company send me a god damn bill and I will pay.... Read More
Michael Swink Insuranker
Policy Type: Business Insurance
Company name: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
0 / 10
My employer had to have workers compensation by law. He obtained a policy through this Berkshire Hathaway GUARD and they failed me. I fell from a ladder and fractured my spine in 7 different places, my clavicle in 4 places, and the base of my skull. Going to my Dr visits I was prescribed medication for pain and the insurance company placed a pre-authorization hold on me picking up the medication from Walgreens. The hold lasted 5 days! My weekly benefits have never been on time, right now... Read More
10 / 10
Liberty Mutual is one of the more simple companies to deal with. I had to file a claim for my business owner policy after I caught one of my employees stealing a large amount of products from my business. Liberty mutual paid the claim fast and with no efforts. I wish the legal process was as easy…
10 / 10
For me this company has proven to be the best to do business with and worth my hard earned money. Contractors this is your company look no further.
7.7 / 10
Decent experience with Hiscox business insurance
9.4 / 10
Very pleased with Hiscox - their small business insurance rates are very good and they specialize in small business which gives me a peace of mind as a small business owner. So far so good!
10 / 10
Their customer service is absolutely fantastic. Very patient, knowledgable and provided excellent explanation of the purchased policy. I would highly recommend this insurance company to anyone that's looking to protect their business from unexpected expense. Thank you Hiscox for doing a great job for my business!
0.6 / 10
STAY AWAY! I wouldn't recommend hiscox small business liability insurance to anyone. Better not waste both your money and your time. Hiscox customer service is extremely unpleasant, not organized and not professional. It is the worst company we have dealt with in almost 25 years in business!
10 / 10
Good company. Good and knowledgable customer service. If they don't know something they will pass you on to a more experienced rep that is more knowledgable. So far so good.
10 / 10
Extremely fast and simple. Wasted a lot of time and money until I found these guys! I feel like my business is in good hands now.
10 / 10
Hiscox's the best! My business is insured with them for over 12 years and am not planning to switch!
10 / 10
Excellent experience with Hiscox BOP for my coffee shop. They provided all it needed.
10 / 10
My HI barbershop is well covered with their great BOP product for 5 years already! not planning to switch!
10 / 10
Best insurance ever
10 / 10
Coolest concept, I wish this was applied to other insurance products too.
10 / 10
Great experience
6 / 10
Didn't relate to the concept much, but it makes sense if you need insurance to go
0 / 10
It doesn't really feel sustainable to me and doesn't offer business interruption, product liability and commercial property insurance. They have no local agents and despite their technology first approach you cannot file claims online. Additionally, product manufacturers are not covered by Thimble and they don't provide enterprise solutions.
10 / 10
As a contractor that works 3 times a week for a few hours, Thimble gets really handy for me and saves me money. I have no use for these massive business insurance coverages offered by traditional insurance companies.
10 / 10
Excellent concept which is useful to many small businesses!
10 / 10
Been waiting for this type of solution for a long time!
10 / 10
Love their business insurance solutions for freelancers! Great app!
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