Insurance for caterers.

General liability, liquor liability, auto, and equipment coverage for caterers who cook in one place and serve in another, with a certificate for every venue on the calendar.

What caterers usually carry

General liability, $1M / $2M
Liquor liability
Commercial auto
Hired and non-owned auto
Equipment in transit
Workers’ comp
Umbrella

Watch for these in a catering policy

Pouring at eventsIf your staff pours drinks, you are in the business of serving alcohol. The host liquor coverage in general liability stops applying, and you need liquor liability.
Damage to a rented kitchenScorching a counter in a kitchen you rent for the day usually falls under a smaller limit for rented premises, not your full per-occurrence limit.
Gear away from the kitchenChafing dishes, warmers, and tents in the van or at a venue are often covered only at your own address. Inland marine coverage follows them.
Servers in their own carsStaff who drive to events or run for ice in their own cars put your business on the hook in a crash. Hired and non-owned auto answers for that.
Food held for hoursMany catering illness claims start with food that sat too long in transit or on a buffet. Carriers ask about holding equipment and temperature logs.

What venues and event clients ask caterers for

Additional insuredVenues and event clients ask to be named for the event, often on a primary and noncontributory basis.
Liquor liabilityRequired by many venues if you run the bar, often at $1M.
Workers’ compProof your staff are covered before they load in.
Higher limitsLarge weddings and corporate events may ask for $2M or more per occurrence through an umbrella.

Questions caterers ask

Straight answers.

The questions we hear most, answered plainly.

How is catering insurance priced?

Mostly on sales and payroll, how many events you work, and whether you serve alcohol. Cooking on site at venues often rates higher than drop-off delivery.

If the client supplies the alcohol, do I still need liquor liability?

If your staff serves it, most likely yes. Pouring is serving, whoever bought the bottles, and general liability excludes that for a business that serves alcohol.

Do I need commercial auto for my catering van?

If the business owns the van or uses it mainly for work, yes. A personal auto policy may deny a claim once it learns the van hauls catering gear every weekend.