5 Best Food Truck Insurance Providers Compared: Coverage, Cost, & How to Choose
Trying to find the best insurance for your food truck can feel as intimidating as testing out a bold new menu item. To help you feel confident in your decision, we’ve weighed the pros and cons of the five best food truck insurance options in this blog.
- Best overall insurance for food trucks: Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP)
- Digital-first coverage: NEXT
- Flexible policy lengths: Thimble
- Customizable coverage marketplace: Huckleberry
- Commercial auto hub: Progressive
*Note: Helping you find the right insurance for your food or beverage business is one of FLIP’s core values. We created this guide using the most recent and verifiable information available at the time of writing to help you choose the best provider for your unique needs, even if that’s not us.
The 5 Best Food Truck Insurance Providers
To fairly compare providers, our buyer persona was a Washington state-based food truck purchasing general liability coverage and operating as a sole proprietorship with no employees and an annual revenue of $50,000.
| Provider | Starting Price* | Coverage Included | Same Day COI? | Buy 100% Online? | Base Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
FLIP |
$25.92/mo. or $299/yr. |
General liability, product liability, personal and advertising injury, damage to premises rented, products-completed operations
|
|
|
$2,000,000 aggregate (max amount paid for claims per policy period) |
|
NEXT |
$33.99/mo. (includes $3.99 service fee)
|
General liability, personal and advertising injury, damage to premises rented
|
|
|
$1,000,000 aggregate |
|
Thimble |
$160.10/mo. or $1,991.20/yr. |
General liability, personal and advertising injury |
|
|
$1,000,000 aggregate |
|
Huckleberry |
Varies |
General liability, personal and advertising injury, medical payments |
|
|
$4,000,000 aggregate |
|
Progressive |
General liability, personal and advertising injury, products-completed operations, damage to premises rented, medical payments |
$25.95/mo. or $346/yr. |
|
|
$2,000,000 aggregate |
FLIP
| Starting Price* | Coverage Included | Same Day COI? | Buy 100% Online? | Base Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$25.92/mo. or $299/yr. |
General liability, product liability, personal and advertising injury, damage to premises rented, products-completed operations
|
|
|
$2,000,000 aggregate (max amount paid for claims per policy period)
|
NEXT
| Starting Price* | Coverage Included | Same Day COI? | Buy 100% Online? | Base Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$33.99/mo. (includes $3.99 service fee) |
General liability, personal and advertising injury, damage to premises rented |
|
|
$1,000,000 aggregate |
Thimble
| Starting Price* | Coverage Included | Same Day COI? | Buy 100% Online? | Base Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$160.10/mo. or $1,991.20/yr. |
General liability, personal and advertising injury |
|
|
$1,000,000 aggregate |
Huckleberry
| Starting Price* | Coverage Included | Same Day COI? | Buy 100% Online? | Base Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Varies |
General liability, personal and advertising injury, medical payments |
|
|
$4,000,000 aggregate |
Progressive
| Starting Price* | Coverage Included | Same Day COI? | Buy 100% Online? | Base Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$25.95/mo. or $346/yr. |
General liability, personal and advertising injury, products-completed operations, damage to premises rented, medical payments |
|
|
$2,000,000 aggregate |
*Quotes were obtained at the time of writing based on a food truck business residing in Washington state, earning $50,000 per year, with no employees.
FLIP: Best Overall Insurance for Food Trucks
Cost:
$25.92/mo. or $299/yr.
Coverages Included:
- General liability
- Personal and advertising injury
- Products-completed operations
- Damage to premises rented
- Medical payments
Add-Ons Offered
- Cyber liability
- Workers compensation
- Product recall
- Food trailer endorsement (exclusive to FLIP)
- Commercial auto
- Liquor liability
- Tools and equipment (inland marine)
- Professional liability
- Excess liability
Standout Features
- Exclusive provider of the food trailer endorsement for businesses that use trailers
- Free and unlimited additional insureds
- Option to save money if paying annually vs. monthly
- Coverage tailored to food and beverage businesses
- Most affordable option on our list Quick and easy application (<10 minutes)
- Focused exclusively on food and beverage businesses
- Customizable coverage
- Monthly and annual payment options
- Save roughly 3.87% with an annual payment plan vs. monthly
- No business owner’s policy (BOP)
- No commercial property coverage
Based on our research, Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) offers the best insurance for food trucks. It is the only provider focused only on food and beverage liability insurance, so it offers policies that understand the niche needs of these businesses.
FLIP also has the lowest starting rate for monthly coverage on our list, and you have the option to save money by opting for an annual payment plan instead.
Plus, FLIP is the only provider offering a food trailer endorsement, which extends general liability coverage to your food trailer, if you use one. It is budget-friendly, offers a wide variety of coverage add-ons, and is easy to purchase and manage entirely online.
If you have any questions or need help managing your policy, FLIP’s customer service team is there to help. You can call to speak with a licensed, U.S.-based agent Monday through Friday from 6 AM–6 PM MST.
Pro Tip: Find out more about the cost of food truck insurance in our handy guide!
NEXT: Digital-First Coverage
Cost: $33.99/mo. (includes $3.99 service charge)
Coverages Included
- General liability
- Personal and advertising injury
- Damage to premises rented
- Medical payments
Add-Ons Offered
- Cyber liability
- Workers compensation
- Business owner’s policy (BOP)
- Commercial auto
- Professional liability
- Tools and equipment (inland marine)
- Commercial property
- Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI)
Standout Features
- Discount up to 10% when bundled with workers compensation insurance
- Flexible aggregate limit options
- Choose between Premier and Deluxe ($2,000,000 aggregate limit + cyber liability insurance) coverage
- Customizable coverage
- 100% online application
- More expensive than FLIP for a lower aggregate limit ($1,000,000 versus $2,000,000)
- Lower limits for fire damage liability ($100,000) compared to FLIP ($300,000)
- No cost savings between annual and monthly payment plans
- No live support; must go through AI chatbot to reach a customer service representative
- Not focused on food and beverage businesses
- No general liability coverage for food trailers
NEXT offers flexible coverage limits with a choice between Premier ($1,000,000 aggregate) and Deluxe ($2,000,000 aggregate plus cyber liability insurance). This makes them a convenient option for food trucks that don’t need the standard $2,000,000 aggregate limit.
Thimble: Flexible Policy Lengths
Cost: $160.10/mo. or $1,991.20/yr.
Coverages Included
- General liability
- Personal and advertising injury
- Medical payments
Add-Ons Offered
- Customer property protection
- Commercial auto (offered through Progressive)
- Business equipment protection (inland marine)
- Professional liability
- Cyber liability
Standout Features
- BOP option
- Short-term coverage options (by the hour/day/month)
- Mobile app for accessing policy and Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- Option to bundle with contents/inventory coverage to create a business owner’s policy (BOP)
- Mobile app available for managing your policy
- Short-term coverage available
- More expensive than FLIP for a lower aggregate limit ($100,000,000 versus $2,000,000)
- Lower damage to premises rented limit ($100,000) than FLIP ($300,000)
- Lower products-completed operations limit ($1,000,000) than FLIP ($2,000,000)
- No online quote; must submit application to agent
- Not focused on food and beverage businesses
- No general liability coverage for food trailers
- No proprietary commercial auto option
- The most expensive option on our list
Thimble offers long-term and short-term coverage options, including policies by the day or even by the hour. It also has a mobile app policyholders can use to access their COI and policy with ease.
Huckleberry: Customizable Coverage Marketplace
Cost: Custom quote
Coverages Included
- General liability
- Personal and advertising injury
- Medical payments
Add-Ons Offered
- Workers compensation
- Cyber liability
- Commercial auto
- Professional liability
- Umbrella coverage
- And more
Standout Features
- Wide range of endorsements and coverage add-ons available
- BOP option
- High aggregate general liability limit
- BOP option available
- Higher than normal aggregate limit
- Robust coverage add-ons
- Fast online quoting
- Advertised starting price ($36/mo.) is higher than FLIP’s ($25.92)
- Acts as a producer for multiple carriers, so final terms and pricing vary
- Unavailable in four states (OH, ND, WA, and WY)
- Not focused on food and beverage businesses
- No general liability coverage for food trailers
- Call to add additional insureds
- May not be able to file claims online, depending on the underwriting carrier
Huckleberry has an extensive list of coverage add-ons for food truck owners to customize their policy. Like NEXT and Thimble, it also offers a BOP for businesses with more fixed-location liability, like restaurants that also operate food trucks.
Progressive: Commercial Auto Hub
Cost: $25.95/mo. or $346/yr.
Coverages Included
- General liability
- Personal and advertising injury
- Products-completed operations
- Damage to premises rented to you
- Medical payments
Add-Ons Offered
- Commercial auto
- Professional liability
- Workers compensation
Standout Features
- Discounts available for commercial auto
- Competitively low price
- Competitively low price
- Monthly and annual payment plans
- Strong commercial auto coverage bundling option
- More expensive than FLIP ($346/yr. versus $299/yr.)
- No general liability coverage for food trailers
- Not focused on food and beverage businesses
- Some non-auto coverages are underwritten by partner carriers
- May not be able to file claims online, depending on the underwriting carrier
Progressive is widely recognized for its commercial auto coverage, which can be bundled with a food truck general liability policy. It also offers discounts for commercial auto coverage, which can be handy for food truck businesses.
What to Look for When Buying Food Truck Insurance
Start by assessing your business’ needs — no two food trucks are exactly the same. Consider key factors like:
- Length of coverage: If you operate your food truck year-round, you need an annual policy. Stringing together short-term policies is more expensive in the long run, and there’s nothing like the peace of mind you get knowing you’re covered for 365 days.
- Coverage limits: Some events, venues, or local governments require a minimum general liability aggregate limit (often $2,000,000). Make sure the policy you choose meets those requirements.
- Payment options: Some providers, like FLIP, allow you to save money by paying an annual premium instead of opting for monthly payments. However, monthly payments are the more immediately affordable choice, so determine what makes the most financial sense for you.
The following are key coverage types every food truck needs:
- General liability: Covers property damage and bodily injury to other people
- Product liability: Designed to cover claims related to your food or beverage products, such as food poisoning
- Personal and advertising injury: Pays for your legal expenses if you are sued for false or misleading advertising, defamation, copyright infringement, and more
- Products-completed operations: Covers claims related to your products and services
- Damage to premises rented: Covers damage to a rented property for the first seven days, then covers fire damage exclusively
- Commercial auto: Pays for accidents or damage involving your food truck
- Tools and equipment (inland marine): Designed to pay for your mobile business gear if it is stolen or damaged
- Food trailer endorsement (if you use a food trailer): Covers bodily injuries and property damage in or around your food trailer while it is parked and detached from your towing vehicle
However, your food truck might need additional coverage to shield you against the risks you face. Look for providers who offer the following coverages you can bundle with your general liability policy:
- Cyber liability: Covers first- and third-party expenses you face after a cyberattack, such as a data breach (necessary if you process payments digitally)
- Product recall: Designed to cover expenses associated with a product recall, such as collecting and disposing of the contaminated products (necessary if you sell your own pre-packaged food products)
- Professional liability: Pays for legal expenses if you’re sued over bodily injuries or property damage caused by your instruction or advice (necessary if you teach workshops or give professional advice related to your food truck business)
- Excess liability limits: Increases your general liability aggregate limit to better protect your business or meet contractual requirements (necessary for larger food truck operations or as specified in a contract)
- Liquor liability: Covers expenses you’re legally responsible for if an intoxicated patron causes bodily injury or property damage after you served them alcohol (necessary for any food trucks that sell alcohol, even on a short-term basis)
The best starting place for your business is food truck general liability insurance. Think of it as the foundational layer supporting the rest of your coverage. Plus, it’s often required before you can purchase other types of insurance, such as liquor liability.
Top Questions About the Best Food Truck Insurance Options
Can I Get My COI From FLIP Online?
Yes! As soon as you purchase a policy, you can access and download your COI via your online user dashboard by following these steps:
- Log in to your account
- Go to “Proof of Insurance”
- Download your COI
Is a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) Better for Food Trucks Than Standalone General Liability?
No, a BOP is not better than standalone general liability. Depending on your needs, both options have strengths.
Is your food truck business mostly mobile, with limited property permanently stored at a fixed location like a commissary or commercial kitchen? General liability plus tools and equipment (inland marine) is the best fit for you. It covers your biggest third-party risks as well as your mobile business gear.
Do you have a storefront in addition to your food truck, or do you store a significant amount of gear at a fixed location? A BOP might be a better option. BOPs also include general liability, but their commercial property coverage is designed to cover equipment you keep at one specific location — not the gear you take with you on the road.
Do I Need Workers Comp If I Only Hire Seasonal Staff?
In most cases, yes — food trucks with seasonal employees still need workers compensation insurance. However, requirements vary by state, so always check your state’s workers compensation laws to confirm which employees qualify for these benefits.
Food Truck Insurance: Keep the Sizzle, Lose the Stress
Choosing the right food truck insurance provider means getting your coverage needs met so you can hit the road with confidence — all for a fair, reasonable price. While all of the providers listed above are reputable, FLIP is our top pick for food trucks due to its balance of affordability, coverage options, and convenience.
Get a free quote today and enjoy coverage wherever you go!