Who Needs Catering Business Insurance?
Our catering and restaurant insurance protects:
- Wedding and event caterers
- Corporate caterers
- Concession caterers
- Banquet halls with catering staff
Common Caterer Insurance Coverages
If you’re wondering what kind of coverage you need as a caterer, starting with a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) can be a good idea. It includes:
- General liability insurance to help protect your catering business from claims that it caused bodily injury or property damage to others.
- Commercial property insurance to help protect your owned or rented building, tools, equipment and inventory used to operate.
- Business income insurance to help replace lost income if you can’t operate because of a covered property loss.
How Much Is Catering Business Insurance?
Catering business insurance costs vary because every small business is unique. On average, our customers paid about $68 a month for general liability insurance and about $141 a month for a BOP.** Insurance companies use different factors to determine costs, which can include:
- Type of business
- Number of employees
- Revenue
- Location
The best way to find out how much insurance will cost for your catering company is to get a quote.
Hear From Our Customers
“When I started on my own, I spoke to several agents, many of them specializing in food businesses. One of them recommended The Hartford for all of our needs. It turned out to be a great fit for everything we had to cover. We have our catering liquor license, we have catering, we have the store, and we have payroll, and we found that everything could be combined through our work with The Hartford.”
– Ani Robaina, Owner & Chef of Ani’s Table & Marketplace
– Ani Robaina, Owner & Chef of Ani’s Table & Marketplace
Event Fire
“At a recent wedding, one of the flames underneath our chafing trays set a table cloth on fire, destroying the table and causing some damage to the wall behind it.”
General liability coverage can help pay for property damage you may cause at a client’s home. It can also help cover claims of bodily injury, medical costs and reputational harm.
Customer Intoxication
“Part of catering means serving alcohol at events. Recently, someone attending an event we hosted drank too much and fell. He broke his leg and needed medical treatment.”
Liquor liability insurance for catering can help protect your business from legal fees if customers are injured or cause damage because of the alcohol you’ve served them.
Auto Accident
“One of my employees was running late and rushing to make a food delivery on time. He ended up running a red light and got into a car accident. Thankfully, he wasn’t injured, but our company van was totaled and the other car was significantly damaged.”
Commercial auto insurance covers you and your employees on the road if you drive a business-owned vehicle for work.
Property Damage
“Our catering building is in the middle of a business complex. So, when the restaurant next door caught fire, it spread to our location. By the time it was put out, most of our equipment was destroyed and we had to close for over a month.”
Commercial property insurance can help protect your business’ property from fire, theft and other covered losses.
Injured Employee
“At a wedding last year, one of my wait staff pulled a muscle in his back while carrying items off the truck. He ended up needing weeks of physical therapy to recover.”
If you have an employee with a work-related injury or illness, workers’ compensation insurance can help pay for their medical care and replace their lost wages.
Employee Lawsuits
“One of my newest employees kept showing up late for weeks. After countless warnings, I made the decision to let her go. The next thing I know, she filed a lawsuit against my business.”
Employment practices liability insurance can help cover claims of wrongful termination, discrimination and retaliation.
Find the Best Catering Insurance for Your Business
From food safety to liquor liability, your catering business faces many risks. But we’re here to help cover them.
Last Updated: December 2, 2025
** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.
2 National Fire Protection Association, “U.S. Fire Problem”
3 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Transportation Safety”
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Incidence Rates of Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses by Industry and Case Types, 2020”
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