Running a catering business comes with risks. From food vans to event catering, accidents and mistakes can happen. Having the right catering insurance in place helps protect your business if a claim arises.
We share five common insurance claims made by UK street food traders and event caterers, so you know what to watch for and which type of cover may be needed.
1. Food Poisoning from Served Meals
One of the biggest risks for caterers is food poisoning. If a customer falls ill after eating your food, they could make a claim against you.
- A guest at a wedding buffet becomes sick
- A festival customer reports food-related illness days later
In these cases, product liability insurance is designed to help. It could cover legal costs, insurance claims, and compensation if your food causes harm.
2. Injury from Hot Equipment
Hot surfaces, boiling pans, and portable ovens all pose dangers. An example could be:
- A member of the public touches a hot counter and suffers burns
- A guest trips over equipment cables
Public liability insurance is important here. It can cover the cost of legal actions, medical fees, and damage compensation linked to accidents involving people or property.
3. Equipment Damage at Events
For street food traders and pop-up caterers, valuable kit is often moved between locations. Accidents can happen:
- A fryer or coffee machine is dropped while setting up
- A vehicle hits your equipment during an event
In this case, tools and equipment insurance can cover repair or replacement costs. Without it, damage like this could mean a big out-of-pocket expense.
4. Lost or Stolen Stock
Street food vendors often carry stock such as food, drink, and packaging. Theft or loss can cause disruption:
- Ingredients are stolen from a van
- Packaging stock is ruined due to bad storage conditions
Business contents insurance may offer financial protection for these kinds of claims, helping caterers get back to work faster.
5. Allergic Reactions from Incorrect Labelling
Even with care, allergen mistakes happen:
- A sandwich is sold with the wrong ingredient label
- A guest has an allergic reaction due to miscommunication
Claims like this could be costly. Both product liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance cover can help, depending on the details. It is essential to arrange the right level of cover that matches the risks of your catering work.
Why Caterers Arrange Multiple Types of Insurance
A small business working in catering may need a combination of:
- Product liability insurance
- Tools and equipment insurance
- Business contents insurance
- Professional indemnity insurance
These policies together help cover a wide range of real-world risks. Brokers can help tailor insurance so your setup, whether a street food van or an event catering firm, gets the right amount of cover and type of cover.
How Brokers Help Protect Your Catering Business
We help arrange insurance designed for UK caterers, checking everything from personal liability for directors to professional negligence linked to food safety advice.
By arranging the right insurance through a broker, caterers gain:
- Peace of mind
- Confidence that if a claim arises, there is support in place
- Help understanding what insurance offers for different situations
Even a single one-off event could expose your business to these risks. It is worth making sure cover is in place before serving your first customer.