Catering Trailer Insurance
Specialist cover for mobile caterers with catering trailers from £19.48 per month.*
- Public Liability up to £10m
- Catering equipment & stock cover
- Add catering trailer cover
- Join over 150,000 customers**
From £19.48* a month
Save 10% Onlineˆ
What does catering trailer insurance cover?
Our catering trailer insurance is designed for mobile caterers, street food vendors, and freelance food businesses operating from trailers at events, markets, festivals, or regular trading spots such as office lunch locations.
The policy includes public liability and product liability cover of up to £5 million as standard, protecting you if a customer or member of the public makes a claim against your business. You can also cover your catering equipment and stock, helping safeguard the essential tools you rely on to keep trading.
Optional cover is available for employers’ liability if you hire staff, frozen goods, loss of money, and protection for your catering trailer against accidental damage or loss. This flexible approach means you can tailor your insurance to suit how and where you operate, whether that’s festivals, markets, private events, or regular lunch stops.
Make sure you have the correct insurance for your activities, and be sure to check if any exclusions are relevant to what you have planned in policy documentation.
Public Liability
Equipment & Stock
Frozen Goods
Employers' Liability
Catering Trailer
Public Liability
- Up to £10 million available.
- Protection from claims by a third-party (e.g., a member of the public) who sustains injuries or has their property damaged as a result of your actions.
Product Liability
- Up to £10 million available.
- Protection should you receive any claims arising from any products and goods supplied by you to other parties, who may then sustain an injury or damage to their own property.
Catering Equipment
- From £250 worth of cover.
- Add up to £10,000 worth of cover.
- Protects against accidental damage, loss, or theft of equipment you own or are legally responsible for. This includes business equipment that isn’t permanently fitted, whether it’s at your premises or temporarily off-site.
Stock
- From £250 worth of cover.
- Add up to £3,000 worth of cover.
- Provides protection for accidental damage, loss, or theft of your stock, including non-frozen goods, whether stored at your premises or temporarily elsewhere.
Frozen goods cover
- From £250 worth of cover.
- Up to £3000 cover available
- Protects your frozen goods against accidental damage, loss, or theft.
- Includes cover for damage or loss caused by refrigeration equipment breakdown or a failure in the public electricity supply.
- Also provides protection for losses resulting from theft or vandalism.
Employers’ Liability
- Up to £10 million available.
- If any employee suffered physical injury or a fatality because of the employer’s negligence. If that staff member sought compensation, the insurer would handle the cost of the claim.
- If you employ any staff members, Employers’ Liability is a legal requirement.
Catering trailer cover (only available on an annual policy)
- Up to £25,000 cover available (for quotes over £25,000 our team can provide a bespoke quote)
- Provides cover for accidental damage, loss, or theft of your trailer, including its internal fixtures and fittings.
- Optional cover is available for damage caused to the trailer while in transit.
- For trailers worth £10,000 or less, you’ll need a wheel clamp and hitch lock, when left unattended.
- For trailers worth over £10,000, you’ll need a wheel clamp, hitch lock, alarm, and tracker when left unattended.
- For trailers worth over £25,000, a serial number will need to be provided.
- Overnight, the trailer must be stored on a driveway, in a garage, or locked compound.
While in transit, if the trailer is involved in a road traffic incident while attached to a car or van, third-party liability will typically be covered under the insured’s motor insurance. However, damage to the trailer itself can be covered under this policy if the relevant cover option is selected.
Loss of money
- Protection for any money earned through your insured business activities.
- Cash from your business is covered while it’s at your business premises, your home, or the home of any partner, director, or authorised employee. It’s also protected when being transported during business-related journeys.
- Cover also includes damage caused by theft to cash registers, safes, bags, or cases used to carry money, as well as damage to tills and safes.
- Cover for bona fide subcontractors, who should have their own insurance.
- Catering overseas.
- Claims for financial losses relating to non or late delivery of products to third parties.
- Cover for catering trailers left out of sight of the insured and/or more than one minutes walking distance from the insured.
- Cover for equipment and stock when left in a vehicle and/or catering trailer out of sight of the driver and/or more than one minutes walking distance from the driver.
Endorsements:
- Staff must have a minimum level 1 food hygiene certificate (including apprentices)
- When a trailer is unattended, it must have an alarm, tracker and key approved hitch lock installed. It must also have a wheel clamp when unattached and unattended.
- Trailer must be kept in a driveway, garage or locked compound overnight.
- While in transit, if the trailer is involved in a road traffic incident while attached to a car or van, third-party liability will typically be covered under the insured’s motor insurance.
For information on exclusions in your cover please refer to policy documentation.
Why do you need catering trailer insurance?
As a mobile caterer operating from a trailer, your customers rely on you to deliver great food and service wherever you’re trading, whether that’s a busy food festival, a local market, or a regular office lunch stop.
Even with careful preparation and professional standards, unexpected incidents can still happen. Catering trailer insurance helps protect you financially if something goes wrong while you’re running your business.
From food-related claims to equipment damage or accidents involving customers or employees, mobile catering comes with unique risks.
No matter the size of your catering trailer business, there are always situations that could impact your ability to operate. That’s why our policy is designed to be flexible, helping you protect your business while focusing on serving customers and growing your brand.
Here are some typical scenarios where catering trailer insurance can be invaluable:
Protection from claims should a member of the public get injured.
If a customer or passer-by is injured while visiting your catering trailer, for example by slipping, tripping over equipment, or being injured near your serving area, they may bring a claim against your business.
Public liability insurance helps protect you against compensation claims and associated legal costs.
An employee or temporary worker is injured while working
Working in a busy catering environment can involve risks, especially when handling hot equipment, cooking appliances, or heavy items.
If you employ staff or hire temporary workers to help run your trailer, employers’ liability insurance protects you if an employee makes a claim following a workplace injury.
In the UK, this cover is also a legal requirement, with fines of up to £2,500 per day for businesses that fail to have it when required.
Your catering equipment is stolen at an event
Your equipment, from grills and fryers to refrigerators and serving equipment, is essential to running your catering trailer.
If key equipment is stolen during an event, replacing it could be expensive and prevent you from working.
Catering equipment cover helps protect you from these unexpected costs so you can get back to trading as quickly as possible.
An event organiser or venue requires proof of insurance
Many venues, markets, and festival organisers require catering businesses to provide proof of public liability insurance before allowing them to trade.
Having the right insurance in place helps you meet these requirements quickly and professionally.
Your catering trailer gets damaged on a job
Your catering trailer is the heart of your mobile food business. If it’s damaged, for example by falling objects, accidental impact, or other unexpected incidents during an event, repairs could be costly and leave you unable to trade.
Catering trailer cover helps protect against repair or replacement costs, helping you recover quickly and continue serving customers without major financial disruption.
Our experts explain why...
“Whether you run a street food trailer at festivals, serve lunch crowds at office locations, or cater at private events, operating a mobile food business comes with responsibilities and risks. When you’re preparing and serving food to the public, there’s always the potential for accidents, injuries, or claims arising from the products you supply.
Our catering trailer insurance is designed to protect you against these risks, giving you the confidence to focus on running your business without worrying about the financial impact of unexpected claims.”
Mandy Czyz – Senior Underwriter, Protectivity
How much does catering trailer insurance cost?
At Protectivity catering policies with catering trailer cover start at £19.48* a month.
There are varying factors that will influence the exact amount you pay for catering van insurance. It could be you have high-value specialist equipment that you need to cover, or employees working for you to add to your policy, which will influence your overall price.
Prices from
£19.48* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£19.48* a month
Policy type
Mobile Catering with trailer
Duration
Annual
Turnover
£100,000
Public Liability
£1,000,000
Catering Equipment
£250
Stock & Frozen Foods
£250
Trailer Cover
£6000
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 22/04/2026. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive than the above example. The quote you receive will reflect the information you share about your event. The quoted price may vary from those displayed here.
Have a question?
For further information on your policy, renewals, making a claim and contacting us, you’ll find an extensive list of FAQs on our Help & Support page.
Why choose Protectivity for your catering trailer insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 180,000 customers.
Experienced insurance providers for over 30 years.
Over 3,500 highly rated reviews.
Proof of our excellent customer service.
Experienced Claims Handling
A smooth and efficient claims process.
UK Based Customer Support
Our UK sales team are here to help.
Frequently
Asked Questions
How does catering insurance work if I operate from a home kitchen?
If you operate a catering business from home, your home insurance likely won’t cover business activities, so you’ll need separate catering insurance to ensure you’re adequately covered.
Do I need different insurance for corporate catering versus wedding catering?
No, our standard insurance for catering businesses will cover you.
Am I covered if a guest has an allergic reaction to my food?
Allergic reactions would typically fall under your product liability coverage. However, you must take all reasonable precautions to prevent such incidents, including proper food labelling and cross-contamination prevention. Failure to do so could invalidate your coverage.
Does my catering insurance cover temporary staff I hire for large events?
Yes as long as these temporary staff members are labour only subcontractors or employees. If they are bona fide subcontractors, then there is no cover for these individuals, you will need to ensure they have their own insurance.
What happens if I have to cancel a catering job due to illness or emergency?
There is no insurance on our product for loss of cost and expenses or expected revenue for cancelling a catering job.
Does my catering insurance cover damage to rented venues?
Yes, our insurance for caters covers against damage as part of the public liability insurance included in the policy.
Am I covered if I cater events with alcohol?
Yes, as long as you are not just serving alcohol. This would need to be alongside a primary function of serving food.
Does my catering insurance cover food poisoning claims?
Yes, food poisoning claims are typically covered under product liability insurance. This protects you if a client becomes ill from food you’ve prepared or served. However, you must maintain proper food safety standards to ensure your coverage remains valid.
Do you offer insurance for mobile caterers?
Yes, we offer comprehensive liability insurance for mobile caterers.
Is my catering equipment covered?
Yes, your catering equipment is covered for accidental damage and theft up to £250 (included) with the option to increase this to £10,000 worth of cover.
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This page content has been created for general information and should not be taken as advice.
*Prices quoted refer to a quote raised from our website 22/04/2026. Prices will differ depending on requirements. Make sure you have the correct level of cover for what you need. For the most accurate pricing, please get a quote and for full details on what is covered refer to our policy documentation with your quote.
** Based on Protectivity sales data from 2007 to present
ˆ10% discount for policies bought online and applies only to the first-year of your policy premium. Protectivity reserves the right to amend or withdraw this offer at any time. Available to UK residents only.
¹Based on live Feefo data