Catering Insurance

Custom, fast and always-on coverage for new and existing caterers.

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Catering insurance designed to protect your business

Catering business insurance is often required by clients. It can help protect you from a variety of common risks, including:

When things break
Someone gets hurt or sick
Legal fees to defend your business

NEXT makes it easy to get the coverage you need and instant proof of insurance to satisfy catering services requirements.

We protect more than 10,000 small businesses like yours in the food and hospitality industry with fast, easy and affordable business insurance that works as hard as you.

Catering insurance can help protect you from:

Theft and vandalism

Burglary or broken glass means that expensive equipment and inventory needs to be replaced – fast.

Property damage

A kitchen fire, water damage or power outage can damage catering company equipment and inventory.

Injury or illness liability

A client files a lawsuit or asks for medical costs to cover an injury or claims that someone got sick from your food.

Liquor liability

If an intoxicated guest breaks something or causes an injury you could be held liable.

How NEXT helps catering businesses

What type of insurance does a caterer need?

We customize insurance packages to help best protect your small business, workers and you. Caterers often consider these catering insurance policy options:

General Liability

Protection for the injuries, accidents and damage you cause

General liability insurance covers a wide range of catering accidents and basic risks. You’ll have financial protection if someone other than an employee gets hurt or you are held responsible for damaging property that doesn’t belong to you. It’s often required by event venues.

general liability can help you pay for:

Medical expenses

Damage to property you don’t own

Legal fees and judgments

Employment practices liability

Workers' Compensation

Often required if you have employees

Workers’ compensation insurance can help pay for medical expenses and lost wages after a workplace injury at a catering job or in your kitchen.

workers compensation can help you pay for:

Medical expenses

Lost wages

Employer liability

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Financial help after customer injuries and property damage

A business owner’s policy includes liability coverage from commercial general liability and business property insurance to help protect your catering business.

business owners policy can help you pay for:

Guest or client injuries (a.k.a bodily injury)

Property damage

Food contamination or spoilage Business income interruption

Equipment breakdown coverage

Liquor Liability insurance

You could be liable for guest alcohol consumption

If you serve alcohol at an event, you could be held responsible if a guest injures themselves, someone else or causes property damage.

liquor liability can help you pay for:

Injuries

Property damage

Legal fees and medical payments

10,000 food and beverage business owners trust NEXT

Very User friendly.

Easy to use software, making commercial insurance easy to understand and issue a policy.

ANGELIQUE T.

COOL & EASY!

Simple process and all insured!

William B.

So far so good

Marcus K.

No comment

Lester J.

ANTHONY E.

Great service

Antoinette K.

easy peasy

Paula S.

Continent

Charles b.

Great service

Good service so far . Reasonably priced , easy to sign up , easy to access documents

Atavia J.

So Far So Good

My old insurance was hassling me on my renewal in November. Threatened to cancel me because they say they did not get payment. I did not get the letter they say they sent telling m...

LARRY G.

Save up to 25% in discounts on catering insurance

You can pay for your insurance monthly or annually and you can cancel instantly at any time.

Basic

Lowest Price

Commercial Auto

Combined single limit

$85,000

General Liability

Per occurrence

$500,000

Workers’ Comp

Per accident

$100,000

Commercial Property

Per occurrence

$25,000

Pro

Why do caterers need business insurance?

Food and beverage industry insurance requirements vary by state law and the requirements of the venue or event planner. Insurance for your catering business may be necessary to:

Get new clients. Many event planners and venues require general liability or workers’ compensation before they’ll work with you.
Hire employees. Many states require workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees.
Deliver, pick-up or drive for business. Business-owned vehicles typically need commercial auto insurance.
Repair or replace property you own or rent. Protect your inventory, equipment and the space where you work with a BOP (business owner’s policy).

How much does catering insurance cost?

Your caterer insurance cost (or your monthly or yearly premium) can vary based on a number of factors, including:

The size of your business
The value of your catering equipment
Your headcount and total payroll
What your employees do

Get a free quote for catering insurance. You’ll know exactly what your business will pay in about five minutes, and you can access your certificate of insurance 24/7.

Resources for Catering Business Owners

We know there are hundreds of things to keep track of when you run a catering business, so we’ve curated these helpful checklists and tips for food business owners to protect and grow your catering business.

Frequently asked questions about business insurance

Here are some of the most common questions we get about catering insurance. If you don’t find the answers you need here, our licensed, U.S.-based insurance advisors are standing by to help via online chat or phone.

How does business insurance protect caterers?

Our catering service insurance packages are designed to protect your business from a variety of risks and help you save money to grow your business. You can be protected from financial losses related to:

Damage to someone’s property

A busser accidentally damages counter tops at an event space with your hot pans. The general liability coverage in your insurance package could help pay for repairs.**

Accidents that hurt someone

A guest at an event gets a burn from a buffet chafing dish that requires medical attention. Your general liability coverage could also come into play here by helping to pay for medical costs and legal fees.

Workplace injuries

A server trips over a guest’s foot and sprains their ankle. Workers’ compensation coverage with business owner’s coverage can help cover medical bills and lost wages. Workers’ comp is usually required by law if you have employees.

Injuries and damage involving your business vehicles

A driver in front of you stops short to avoid a collision and you rear end them with your catering van. Commercial auto coverage will help pay for the repairs and medical bills. This coverage is also usually required by law for business-owned vehicles.

Damage to your own property

A grease fire breaks out and damages most of your facility’s kitchen. Commercial property insurance can help with replacement or repair costs if your owned or leased property is damaged due to a covered event, such as a burst water pipe, fire, tornado or vandalism.

What do I need to get an insurance quote online?

It takes about 10 minutes to get a business insurance quote online with NEXT. We’ll ask a few questions about your business — like what you do, your location, how many people you employ and the vehicles you use for work. You’ll choose your options and see prices. If you like what you see, you can buy online and get a certificate of insurance (proof of insurance) on the spot.

How can I get a certificate of insurance (COI)?

Once you have a NEXT policy, you’ll have 24/7 access to proof of your insurance (also called a certificate of insurance, or COI) via web or app. Log in to your account, download your COI instantly or deliver it via email or text at no additional cost. Get unlimited certificates and add an additional insured as you need them.

How do you file an insurance claim with NEXT?

If you’re a policyholder, simply log in to your account and file a claim. We’ll contact you shortly to go over the details. Our support team is standing by to help.

Get custom caterer insurance wherever you do business

Learn more about food and beverage industry insurance options in your state.

Next Insurance, small business insurance

Coverage on-the-go for policyholders

Manage your policies, send and create certificates of insurance, or file a claim with our app.

Next Insurance App available on the App Store

Get the Next Insurance App on Google Play

More professions that are covered by NEXT

Bakery, Butcher Shop, Catering, Coffee Shop, Farmers Market, Food Cart, Food Truck, Grocery Store, Personal Chef, Restaurant

* To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten, not all applicants may qualify. Individual rates and savings vary and are subject to change. Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverages only.