Catering Insurance
Get affordable insurance for caterers that helps meet venue requirements and protects your business from one event to the next.
Benefits of Insurance for Caterers
Discover the perks of insuring your catering business with FLIP.
Free & Unlimited Additional Insureds
Need to add the venue to your policy? Name them as an additional insured from your online account. FLIP lets you add unlimited additional insureds for free.
Instant Online Access to Your COI
Access your certificate of insurance (COI) and manage or update your coverage 100% online.
Meet Venue Requirements
FLIP’s policy meets most venue and client insurance requirements, so you can show proof of coverage and book more gigs without scrambling for last-minute coverage.
What Is Catering Insurance?
Catering insurance is designed to protect your business from the cost of common catering claims that can happen when serving food at different events. These include:.
- Third-party bodily injury (injuries to other people caused by your business activities)
- Third-party property damage (damage you cause to other people’s property because of your business activities)
- Product liability (bodily harm or property damage to other people caused by your food or beverage products)
Catering claims can cost an average of $4,300. If your chafing dish melts the venue’s countertop or a guest slips and falls in spilled grease, you could be held responsible.
Food Liability Insurance Program (FLIP) provides coverage made for mobile catering businesses, giving you the safety net you need to provide exceptional service.
Who Needs Insurance for a Catering Business?
From special occasions to corporate functions, if you run a catering company, you need insurance to stay protected and meet venue requirements.
Businesses that need catering company insurance include:
- Event caterers
- Wedding caterers
- Banquet caterers
- Corporate event caterers
- Concession caterers
Because you’re working in spaces you don’t own, like temporary, mobile, or rented kitchen setups, catering clients and venues often ask for proof of insurance. This means you need specialized coverage that follows you wherever you work.
Just getting started? Find out what you need to start a catering business, including legal and insurance requirements.
What Kind of Insurance Do Caterers Need?
Caterers need general liability insurance to cover common claims and satisfy venue or client requirements for off-site catering jobs. FLIP’s base policy includes the essentials, and you can add other coverages if your setup, equipment, or events pose additional risks.
| Type of Insurance | What It Covers | Example Claim | Included with FLIP? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Third-party bodily injuries and property damage caused by your business |
A guest trips over your extension cord near the buffet and sprains their ankle |
✅ |
|
|
Injuries to others or property damage caused by your products |
A dinner guest has an allergic reaction after being served a dish with an undeclared ingredient |
✅ |
|
|
Claims stemming from the food you serve and your catering services |
After the event, several guests claim to have food poisoning and blame your company |
✅ |
|
|
Limited property damage to a space you rent |
Your portable burner scorches the venue’s countertop during setup |
✅ |
|
|
Claims that you caused financial or reputational harm when promoting your businesses |
Your promo post uses a competitor’s photo or tagline and they accuse you of infringement |
✅ |
|
|
Repairing or replacing stolen or damaged gear that’s portable (not attached to a trailer or catering van) |
Your portable grill is stolen from your locked catering van overnight |
✖️ (optional) |
|
|
State-mandated benefits for employees who become injured/ill on the job |
An employee burns their hand on a hot pan during service and needs urgent care |
✖️ (optional) |
|
|
Harm caused by an intoxicated person whom you sold or served alcohol |
You serve alcohol at an event, and an intoxicated guest causes an accident on the way home |
✖️ (optional) |
|
|
Damages caused by or done to your business vehicle (including physical damage and medical expenses) |
Your catering van rear-ends another car while driving to a job, causing injuries and vehicle damage |
✖️ (optional) |
|
|
Expenses resulting from a cyberattack (e.g., data breach, phishing, etc.) |
Your booking/payment system gets hacked and customer card data is exposed |
✖️ (optional) |
|
|
Injuries to others and damage to their property caused by your professional advice |
Injuries to others and damage to their property caused by your professional advice |
✖️ (optional) |
|
|
Food trailer endorsement (exclusive to FLIP!)
|
Injury or property damage claims related to your food trailer when it is parked during food service and detached from your towing vehicle |
Your parked catering trailer rolls back and hits another vendor’s booth at an event |
✖️ (optional) |
How Much Does Catering Liability Insurance Cost?
The cost of catering insurance starts at $25.92 per month or $299 per year.
Your premium, or how much you pay for a policy, will depend on factors like:
- Your gross annual revenue
- The state(s) you operate in
- Your coverage limits
- Any add-on coverages you choose (like tools and equipment coverage)
FLIP: The Best Catering Insurance Provider
Coverage Details Limits
General Liability Aggregate Limit
$2,000,000
Products – Completed Operations Aggregate Limit
$2,000,000
Personal and Advertising Injury Limit
$1,000,000
General Each Occurrence Limit
$1,000,000
Damage to Premises Rented to You Limit (Any One Premises)
$300,000
Liability Deductible
NO DEDUCTIBLE
Inland Marine Limit (Any One Article / Aggregate)
$5,000/$10,000
Inland Marine Limit (Per Occurrence) – Deductible
$250
Medical Expense Limit
$5,000
Why Caterers Choose FLIP
Here's what FLIP customers say about their experience from over 300+ available reviews.
FAQs About Insurance for Catering Businesses
What Is A COI for Caterers?
A certificate of insurance (COI) for a catering business is a document that shows you’re insured for certain liability claims against your business. Venues and clients often require caterers to provide a COI showing specific coverages and limits before they’ll hire you to cater an event.
How Do I File a Caterer Insurance Claim?
File a catering insurance claim online following these five simple steps:
- Log in to your FLIP online user account
- Go to “Manage Policies”
- Select “File a Claim”
- Fill out the required information
- Submit your claim
Are Alcohol-Related Incidents Covered by Catering Liability Insurance?
No, alcohol-related incidents are not covered under FLIP’s catering insurance policy. If you run an alcohol catering business or you offer alcohol services alongside other catering packages, you need liquor liability insurance for caterers.
Learn more about the differences between general liability and liquor liability insurance and find out why you need both if you sell, serve, or provide alcohol to customers or clients.
Does Catering Insurance Cover Food Poisoning or Allergens?
Yes. FLIP’s catering insurance policy includes product liability insurance, which can cover claims involving food poisoning and allergic reactions. This coverage helps protect your business if the food you serve causes injury or illness to someone.
Can I Protect My Trailer With Insurance for Catering Businesses?
Yes! FLIP is the exclusive provider of the food trailer endorsement, which extends general liability coverage to your food trailer when it is parked and detached from the towing vehicle.
The food trailer endorsement costs $12.50 per month, and you can add it during checkout or any time after you’ve purchased your policy via your user dashboard.
Can I Protect My Catering Equipment?
Yes! Adding tools and equipment coverage to your general liability policy protects your catering equipment. Starting at $11.17 per month, this add-on coverage is designed to cover the cost of replacing or repairing stolen or damaged equipment you take from gig to gig.
Does FLIP Offer Event Catering Insurance?
FLIP offers year-round coverage for event caterers, making it ideal for catering companies that work more than one event a year. We also offer event liquor insurance for caterers who serve alcohol, with short-term coverage that includes both general liability and liquor liability.