)
Written byAmy Beardsley
)
Amy Beardsley is a seasoned insurance expert who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. She has more than 12 years of industry knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, commercial, and other insurance products. Amy’s work has been published by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Legal & General, NerdWallet, Robinhood, Insurify, NEXT Insurance, and more.
Amy worked as a court administrator before becoming a content marketing writer. Her legal background has equipped her with the ability to simplify complex technical language into easy-to-understand content.
She graduated magna cum laude from Ferris State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Legal Studies.
)
Edited byLequita Westbrooks
)
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
Updated
Why You Can Trust Compare.com: At Compare.com, it’s our mission to find simple ways to help our customers save money on the things they need. While we partner with some of the companies and brands we talk about in our articles, all of our content is written and reviewed by our independent editorial team and never influenced by our partnerships. Learn about how we make money, review our editorial standards, and reference our data methodology to learn more about why you can trust Compare.com.
Advertiser Disclosure
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
In This Article
Mobile catering van insurance combines several policies that protect your vehicle, equipment, and business from risks like accidents, damage, and customer illness. It often includes commercial auto insurance, general liability, and product liability insurance. You can also add optional coverages for spoilage, equipment breakdown, and inland marine.
A mobile catering van and food truck policy isn’t a single policy you can buy off the shelf, so you’ll need a mix of protections to operate legally. Additionally, most cities and venues require proof of coverage before you can set up shop.[1]
Here’s a look at the coverage you need, optional add-ons, and how to save on your business insurance premiums.
Key Takeaways
Beyond basic commercial auto insurance, consider general liability, equipment protection, and food spoilage coverage to fully protect your mobile catering business.
Insurance for mobile catering vans or food trucks typically ranges from $25 to $300 or more per month, depending on factors like your vehicle size, coverage limits, and driving history.
Most states and venues require a certificate of insurance and may ask to be listed as an additional insured before you can serve food or park at an event.
How Much It Costs to Insure a Mobile Catering Van
You can expect to pay anywhere between $25 to $300, or more, per month for catering truck insurance. Premiums for a small catering van doing local corporate lunches a few days per week are usually cheaper. Whereas a full-size food van equipped with a deep fryer and a schedule that takes you to multiple festivals across the state can have higher premiums, for example.
What you pay for insurance depends on things like your vehicle’s value, mileage, the type of food you serve, the policy limits and deductibles you choose, and whether you’ve filed claims before.
That’s why shopping around is important — insurers calculate risk differently. One insurer might see your business as high risk, while another that specializes in mobile food vendor insurance might offer better rates.
Protect Your Business Vehicles
Cover cargo vans, pickups, food trucks, and more
Do You Need Mobile Catering Insurance?
Most U.S. states require commercial auto insurance for any vehicle you use in business, including mobile catering vans.[2] Many venues also require you to show proof of business insurance before you can operate.
Even if you own the van and have personal auto insurance in place, your personal policy doesn’t typically cover claims for business use. Your insurance company can deny claims if you get into an accident while on the way to a venue or if someone sues you if your food makes them sick.
Most cities, venues, and event organizers won’t let you do business without proof of coverage. Anyone operating a mobile catering van, concession trailer, or food truck should look into mobile catering van insurance.
You may need to show a certificate of insurance before you show up, and many cities have licensing regulations that require you to list them as an “additional insured.” So, if something happens and the venue faces a lawsuit because of something you did, your liability coverage also protects them.
Commercial Car Insurance for Mobile Food and Beverage Businesses
)
Running a mobile catering business means juggling risk management that most traditional businesses never face. You’re on the road, managing health codes, food safety, and serving the public — all from a vehicle.
Commercial vehicle insurance is a good start, but you’ll also need additional business insurance to protect against property loss, equipment failures, business interruptions, or if someone files a lawsuit against you.
Here’s a closer look at the coverage most cities require and the optional coverage you may consider for extra protection.
Required coverages for mobile catering
Most U.S. states require a few standard insurance coverages before starting catering or food truck businesses:
Commercial auto liability: Covers liability for damage and injuries you cause to others while driving your catering van.
Collision and comprehensive: Pays for collision damage to the van itself, while comprehensive protects against theft, fire damage, hail, or hitting a deer.
Medical payments coverage: Pays for medical costs for you and your passengers after an accident (called personal injury protection in some states).
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Protects you if another driver doesn’t have enough insurance or any coverage at all.
Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA): Covers vehicles you rent for business use or employees using their own car for your business.
Optional coverages for mobile catering
Add-on insurance coverage options can fill gaps that commercial auto insurance policies don’t cover. You may want to consider at least some of these coverages to protect yourself and your business when getting food truck insurance quotes.
General liability insurance: Covers injuries or illnesses that customers claim were caused by your food or service.
Business owners policy (BOP): Combines general liability insurance, commercial property damage liability, and business interruption coverage in a single policy.[3]
Inland marine (equipment coverage): Protects cooking gear, generators, and other catering equipment on the way to an event.
Spoilage or contamination: Reimburses you for lost food due to spoilage or contamination, or if refrigeration failures.
Equipment breakdown: Covers repairs and lost income if electrical or air conditioning systems break down or kitchen equipment stops working.
Workers’ compensation insurance: Covers employee medical bills and lost wages if an employee gets hurt on the job.
Where to Buy Mobile Catering Van Insurance
)
Mobile catering van insurance coverage options are available from commercial insurers, independent agents, or online small-business insurance companies.
Prices and policy terms vary, so make sure that policy limits are enough for your business and that it includes kitchen equipment protection. Also, be sure that you can easily print a certificate of insurance and add “additional insureds.”
Don’t settle for the first quote you get. Request food truck insurance quotes from different insurers, and compare insurance premiums and what each policy covers.
A few well-known companies that offer catering truck insurance include:
Progressive Commercial
State Farm
Hiscox
The Hartford
NEXT Insurance
Ways to Save on Your Mobile Catering Van Insurance
In most cases, insurance for a mobile catering van or food truck business operation is affordable. A few smart moves can help you lower your food truck insurance premiums so you don’t pay more than you have to.
Raise your deductible. A higher deductible can lower your monthly costs. Just be sure you can pay it if you file a claim.
Improve your safety record. Fewer accidents and claims, plus a clean driving history, can qualify you for lower rates.
Shop around for coverage. Prices can vary, so check a few companies before you buy.
Bundle your policies. Buying multiple policies with the same insurance company or opting to bundle coverage with a BOP can save you money.
Find a Commercial Auto Insurance Policy
Check rates from a top business insurance company.
Commercial Food Truck Insurance FAQs
You likely have many questions about mobile catering van insurance. Here are the most common questions business owners ask about commercial food truck insurance.
What type of insurance does a food truck need?
Food trucks typically need commercial auto insurance. You may also need general liability insurance or product liability insurance, which protects you if your food causes illness or injury, or a business owners policy.
How much is insurance for a food truck?
Food truck insurance typically costs between $25 and $300 per month, or more. Your cost depends on the value of your vehicle, your policy limits, location, driving history, coverage options, deductibles, and the food you serve.
What is catering liability insurance?
Catering liability insurance protects you when someone claims your food made them sick or they get hurt near your van — like slipping on spills or tripping over your power cords or extension cables.
What kind of insurance do caterers need?
Caterers need general liability insurance to cover customer injuries and foodborne illness, as well as property damage liability coverage for equipment. You may also need workers’ compensation if you have staff, and commercial vehicle insurance if you transport food to another location.
Do food trucks require different insurance than food trailers?
Yes. Food trucks need commercial auto insurance since you drive them on the road, while food trailers need coverage for the truck that tows them, plus extra protection for the catering trailer.
Do food truck insurance policies have deductibles?
Yes. Food truck and mobile food truck insurance policies have deductibles. Common deductible options range from $500 to $1,000 or more. This is the amount you pay before your insurer steps in to cover a claim.
Sources
- City of Grand Rapids. "Apply for a Mobile Food Vendor Truck, Trailer, or Concession License."
- III. "Business Vehicle Insurance."
- III. "Understanding business owners policies (BOPs)."
)
Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer
Amy Beardsley is a seasoned insurance expert who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. She has more than 12 years of industry knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, commercial, and other insurance products. Amy’s work has been published by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Legal & General, NerdWallet, Robinhood, Insurify, NEXT Insurance, and more.
Amy worked as a court administrator before becoming a content marketing writer. Her legal background has equipped her with the ability to simplify complex technical language into easy-to-understand content.
She graduated magna cum laude from Ferris State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Legal Studies.
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
