Catering insurance

From public liability insurance for your catering business to protecting business equipment and even your reputation, catering insurance ensures you stay focused on delivering memorable meals while leaving the risks to someone else.

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Overview

What is catering liability insurance?

Cooking up a storm in the kitchen is one thing; protecting your catering business from the unexpected is another. That’s where catering insurance steps in. It’s a specially designed package of covers that shields your business from the risks you face every day—whether it’s a dropped tray of hors d'oeuvres or an allergic reaction to a dish.

From public liability insurance for your catering business to protecting business equipment and even your reputation, catering insurance ensures you stay focused on delivering memorable meals while leaving the risks to someone else.

How much does catering insurance cost?

The question of how much doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. The cost depends on your business size, the services you offer, and the cover you need. Insurance for small catering business, say a one-man band food truck, might carry a much lower premium than that of a high-end catering service with a whole team behind it.

Factors like your annual revenue, the number of employees, and the type of events you cater all play a role. But no matter your setup, Suited has an affordable option to keep you covered.

Public liability insurance
Public liability

Protects you against accusations of causing an accidental injury or property damage to either your clients or a third party.

Up to £10,000,000 cover including products liability

No excess

Expert legal team

A+ specialist insurers

Covers claims against your client caused by your business

From
£6.41
per month
Key cover
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

No excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competative prices

From
£9.91
per month
Key cover
Employers' liability insurance
Employers' liability

Provides coverage for compensation costs, legal fees, and medical expenses related to employee injuries sustained at work.

£10,000,000 cover as standard

Flexible cover

No deductible

Underwritten by top insurers - Admiral Business

From
£1.25
per month with public liability
Flexible
Electronic devices insurance
Electronic devices

Pays for repair or replacement if your portable electronic equipment (and accessories) get damaged or lost.

Up to £10,000 cover

Accessories included

Hired equipment is covered

Worldwide cover

From
£9.24
per month with a key cover
Worldwide
Trade tools insurance
Trade tools

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your tools if they’re stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Sport business equipment insurance
Business equipment

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Hairdressing business equipment insurance
Business equipment

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Pet business equipment insurance
Business equipment

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Massage business equipment insurance
Business equipment

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Music equipment insurance
Musical instruments

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Business stock insurance
Stock

Protects your inventory from various risks, including theft, fire, flooding, or malicious damage.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Plant and machinery insurance
Owned & hired plant

Protects heavy equipment and machinery used in industries like construction, engineering, and agriculture.

Up to £50,000 cover

Insure for as long or as short as you need

Competitive prices

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£9.50
per month with a key cover
Flexible
Contract works insurance
Contract works

Covers the work you’re responsible for during construction or renovation projects.

Cover up £500,000

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£12.00
per month with a key cover
UK wide
Commercial legal expenses insurance
Commercial legal expenses

Protects you and your business against a range of issues not typically covered by professional indemnity or public liability.

IR35 & HMRC investigations

Legal matters concerning your business

Negative PR (£25,000 cover)

Criminal prosecution

Compliance & regulation issues

Unpaid invoices (over £200)

Also includes free telephone advice & help from qualified professionals.

Tax and commercial legal advice

Counselling for you and your staff

Access to a legal template library

Identity theft assistance

Included

with every subscription.
Included
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity

Provides you with legal defence against claims of professional mistake or negligence causing a financial loss to your clients.

Up to £2,000,000 cover

Nil excess

Dedicated legal team

A+ insurer

Competative prices

From
£6.41
per month
Key cover
Public liability insurance
Public liability

Protects you against accusations of causing an accidental injury or property damage to either your clients or a third party.

Up to £10,000,000 cover including products liability

No excess

Expert legal team

A+ specialist insurers

Covers claims against your client caused by your business

From
£6.41
per month
Key cover
Employers' liability insurance
Employers' liability

Provides coverage for compensation costs, legal fees, and medical expenses related to employee injuries sustained at work.

£10,000,000 cover as standard

Flexible cover

No deductible

Underwritten by top insurers - Admiral Business

From
£1.25
per month with public liability
Flexible
Electronic devices insurance
Electronic devices

Pays for repair or replacement if your portable electronic equipment (and accessories) get damaged or lost.

Up to £10,000 cover

Accessories included

Hired equipment is covered

Worldwide cover

From
£9.24
per month with a key cover
Worldwide
Trade tools insurance
Trade tools

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your tools if they’re stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Sport business equipment insurance
Business equipment

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Hairdressing business equipment insurance
Business equipment

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Pet business equipment insurance
Business equipment

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Massage business equipment insurance
Business equipment

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Music equipment insurance
Musical instruments

Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your business equipment if it's stolen, damaged, or lost.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Business stock insurance
Stock

Protects your inventory from various risks, including theft, fire, flooding, or malicious damage.

Up to £20,000 cover

Optional cover in a vehicle overnight

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£5.60
per month with a key cover
Van cover
Plant and machinery insurance
Owned & hired plant

Protects heavy equipment and machinery used in industries like construction, engineering, and agriculture.

Up to £50,000 cover

Insure for as long or as short as you need

Competitive prices

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£9.50
per month with a key cover
Flexible
Contract works insurance
Contract works

Covers the work you’re responsible for during construction or renovation projects.

Cover up £500,000

Flexible cover

Low deductibles

Cover anywhere in the UK, including transit

From
£12.00
per month with a key cover
UK wide
Commercial legal expenses insurance
Commercial legal expenses

Protects you and your business against a range of issues not typically covered by professional indemnity or public liability.

IR35 & HMRC investigations

Legal matters concerning your business

Negative PR (£25,000 cover)

Criminal prosecution

Compliance & regulation issues

Unpaid invoices (over £200)

Also includes free telephone advice & help from qualified professionals.

Tax and commercial legal advice

Counselling for you and your staff

Access to a legal template library

Identity theft assistance

Included

with every subscription
Included
A few questions to get an instant price.
A few questions to get a price.
The Contracting Awards 2023, winner, one to watch.
Insurance Times Awards 2023, finalist, challenger of the year.
Insurance Times Awards 2023, finalist, excellence in technology.
National Insurance Awards 2024, shortlisted, commercial lines, specialist broker of the year.
National Insurance Awards 2024, shortlisted, innovative product award.
In detail

Why do caterers need insurance?

Catering is a rewarding but unpredictable business. From handling sharp knives and hot surfaces to managing crowds and tight schedules, the risks are everywhere. Insurance acts as your safety net, ensuring that when accidents, mishaps, or unexpected events occur, your business remains financially secure. Whether it’s a client complaint, equipment breakdown, or a guest injury, having the right cover means you can keep serving with confidence.

Public liability insurance for caterers

Public liability insurance for catering businesses is one of the most essential types of cover available. It protects your business against claims from third parties for injury or property damage caused during your work. 

Imagine a guest slipping on a spill at an event you’re catering to or a scalding hot tray burning someone—this is where catering public liability insurance comes to the rescue.

For small businesses, having catering public liability insurance is not just practical—it’s a sign of professionalism that reassures your clients. Plus, many event venues require proof of this cover before you’re allowed to work on their premises.

Other types of insurance for catering business

While liability insurance for catering business is crucial, there are other types of insurance worth considering to ensure your business is fully protected. Here are a few key options:

Professional indemnity insurance

Mistakes happen, and when they do, professional indemnity insurance has your back. This cover protects you if a client claims they suffered financial loss due to your services. For example, if a miscommunication about dietary requirements leads to a major issue, this insurance steps in to cover legal fees and compensation.

Business equipment

From industrial ovens to portable serving stations, your equipment is the backbone of your business. Insurance for business equipment ensures you’re covered if these essential items are lost, stolen, or damaged. Whether it’s a clumsy waiter or an unexpected breakdown, this cover keeps your operation running smoothly.

Employers’ liability

If you employ staff, even on a casual basis, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. It protects your business if an employee is injured or falls ill while working for you. Whether it’s a chef cutting themselves or a server straining their back, this cover ensures you comply with the law while looking after your team.

Cooking for others is your passion, but protecting your business should be your priority. From catering liability insurance to business equipment cover, having the right insurance allows you to focus on what you do best—delivering exceptional service and delicious food. With insurance for catering services, peace of mind is always on the menu.

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FAQs

Common questions

Can I get catering insurance for one day?

Suited offers a flexible monthly subscription, allowing you to buy catering insurance when needed.

I offer mobile catering services. Will I be covered at different locations?

Catering public liability insurance from Suited does not restrict you to any particular location. You can deliver your catering services anywhere in the UK.

Sometimes, I rent a catering trailer/van. Will I be covered by my catering public liability insurance for any accidents?

Remember, catering public liability insurance does not cover any motor-related risks. In addition to catering public liability insurance, you must also have motor insurance if you drive the rented catering trailer/van.

Do I need employers’ liability if I use casual workers to help at catering events?

It is a legal requirement in the UK to have employers’ liability insurance if you employ staff, even on an ad hoc basis. With Suited you can adjust the number of employees covered anytime without any extra admin cost.

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