Coffee Shop Insurance
Specialist liability insurance for coffee shops, espresso bars, and mobile coffee vans.
- From only £5.82 a month*
- Public Liability up to £10 million
- Equipment & Stock cover included as standard
- Join over 180,000 customers**
From £5.82* a month
What does coffee shop business insurance cover?
Our coffee shop insurance is designed for independent coffee shops, high street espresso bars, and mobile coffee units serving drinks and light food throughout the day.
It includes public and product liability cover from £1 million up to £10 million, protecting you if a customer is injured in your shop or suffers illness from food or drink you’ve served. You’ll also be covered for essential equipment and stock, including espresso machines, grinders, refrigeration units, and the coffee, milk, and ingredients you rely on to operate.
You can tailor your policy to suit how your coffee business runs. Employers’ liability can be added if you have staff, along with optional cover for frozen goods, loss of money, and mobile coffee vans or event trading. This allows you to shape your cover around your setup without paying for anything unnecessary.
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 & Product Liability for Caterers
Cover up to £10 million
- Flexible cover limits: £1m, £2m, £5m or £10m
- Protects you if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged.
- Covers claims linked to the food or products you serve.
- Includes legal defence costs and compensation if a claim is made.
Contents & Business Equipment
Cover up to £100,000
- Covers damage or theft of equipment at your business premises.
- Includes utensils, machinery, tools, fixtures, fittings, computers and office equipment.
- £5,000 included as standard (if eligible).
- You must be trading from a business premises.
Portable Business Equipment
Cover up to £100,000
- Protects equipment at your premises and anywhere in the UK
- Covers accidental loss, damage or theft
- £250 included as standard
Portable Stock
Cover up to £100,000
- Protects stock at your premises and anywhere in the UK
- Covers stock on the move & at temporary locations
- Covers at your business premises
- £250 included as standard
- Excludes unattended theft from vehicles and standard all‑risks exclusions
Frozen Goods
Cover up to £20,000
- Covers refrigerated stock against temperature change or leakage
- Includes breakdown of refrigeration equipment or power failure
- £1,000 included as standard
- Available whether or not you trade from a business premises
Loss of Money & Assault
- £1,000 included as standard (upgrade available)
- Covers theft or loss of money from your business
- Includes money at premises, in transit or stored securely
- Covers damage to tills, safes and cash containers
- Includes assault cover for you and your employees
Glass cover
Cover up to £25,000
- Covers internal and external glass at business premises
- Includes windows, doors, partitions, shelves and displays
- £2,000 included as standard (if eligible)
Employers’ Liability
£10 million cover
- A legal requirement if you employ staff
- Covers claims for injury, illness or death caused by employer negligence
- Protects against claims from employees and labour‑only subcontractors
- Apprentices can be included
- No limit on the number of employees covered
Stock at Premises
Cover up to £100,000
- Covers loss or damage to stock stored at your premises
- Automatic 30% seasonal uplift around Bank Holidays
- Available only if trading from a business premises
Alcohol Stock
Cover up to £100,000
- Covers loss or damage to alcohol stock at your premises
- Flexible limits up to £100,000
- Available only if trading from a business premises
Business Interruption
- Covers up to 12 months of lost income following insured damage
- Includes interruption caused by nearby property damage
- Covers supplier, utility, customer and access interruption
- Available only if trading from a business premises
Buildings & Tenants Improvements
- Damage to property at the specified business premises
- Includes fixtures and fittings, decorations, small outbuildings, garages, annexes and extensions
- Also includes lines, wires, service pipes, walls, gates and fencing
Owned premises (Buildings cover)
- Covers the building structure itself
Leased premises (Tenants Improvements)
- Covers improvements made to the property
Catering Trailer Cover (Annual policies only)
Up to £25,000 (higher values considered on referral)
- Covers accidental damage, theft or loss of your trailer
- Includes fixtures and fittings inside the trailer
- Optional cover for damage whilst in transit
Security requirements:
- Up to £10,000: a wheel clamp and hitch lock is required
- Over £10,000: an alarm, tracker, wheel clamp and hitch lock is required
- Overnight storage must be on a driveway, in a garage or locked compound
Important:
- Third-party road liability not covered within this policy, please ensure you check with the insurer of your towing vehicle to make sure this is covered.
- This policy can cover damage to the trailer itself (if selected)
- Bona‑fide subcontractors
- Catering activities overseas
- Financial losses from late or failed delivery
- Unattended trailers, stock or equipment left out of sight or more than one minute’s walk away
- Equipment or stock left unattended in vehicles
Other endorsements
- Staff (including apprentices) must hold at least Level 1 Food Hygiene certification
- Trailer security conditions must be met when unattended
Full exclusions and endorsements apply – please refer to policy documentation.
Why do coffee shop businesses need liability insurance?
Running a coffee shop means managing a steady flow of customers, preparing hot drinks, and keeping service efficient throughout the day. With equipment in constant use and customers regularly moving through your space, there are everyday risks to consider.
Even with strong processes in place, incidents can happen, from hot drink spills and customer accidents to equipment breakdown or food-related issues.
Coffee shop insurance helps protect your business from claims, unexpected costs, and disruption, so you can continue serving customers without interruption.
These are some typical examples of when coffee shop insurance is a necessity:
Customer injury claims
Busy coffee shops increase the risk of accidents, especially with takeaway traffic and hot drinks. Public liability insurance helps cover legal costs and compensation if a customer is injured.
Food-related illness or allergen claims
If a customer becomes unwell or is injured by a hot drink you’ve served, product liability insurance helps protect against claims and associated costs.
Staff injuries at work
If you employ staff, employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement. It protects your business if an employee is injured while working.
Proof of insurance required
Landlords, local authorities, and event organisers may require proof of public liability insurance before you can operate or trade.
Equipment damage
Your espresso machine, grinders, and refrigeration units are central to your business. Cover helps you manage repair or replacement costs if equipment is damaged or replacements if stolen.
Our experts explain why...
“Coffee shops rely heavily on specialist equipment and consistent service, particularly during peak periods. If a key machine fails or a claim is made, it can quickly disrupt your ability to trade.
Our cover is designed specifically for coffee shop owners, helping protect your equipment, your stock, and your business, so you can stay focused on serving your customers.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does coffee shop business insurance cost?
Coffee shop insurance starts from £5.82* a month for an annual policy.
The cost will depend on your setup, including whether you employ staff, the level of cover you choose, and whether you operate from a fixed location, a mobile unit, or both.
With the right cover in place, you can protect your business, your equipment, and your income, while continuing to serve your customers with confidence.
Prices from
£5.82* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£5.82* a month
Policy type
Coffee Shop Insurance
Duration
Annual
Turnover
£100,000
Public Liability
£1,000,000
Stock & Catering Equipment
£250
Frozen Goods
£1000
Money & assult cover
£1000
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 03/06/2026. 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 coffee shop 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
On average we answer your phone calls in under 2 minutes
Frequently
Asked Questions
Am I covered if I roast coffee beans on‑site?
Yes.
Any coffee beans you roast and sell are considered products you supply, so you’re protected under Product Liability insurance.
If a customer becomes ill or injured due to the beans you roast or the coffee you serve, this cover provides protection with up to £10 million available.
Does insurance cover milk and other refrigerated and frozen stock if damaged?
Frozen Goods insurance can be added and this is designed to cover you for damage to refrigerated stock in the refrigeration equipment, caused by deterioration or putrefaction due to equipment breakdown.
Am I protected if I sell coffee beans for retail?
Yes.
Selling packaged coffee beans—whether roasted by you or sourced elsewhere—is covered under Product Liability insurance. This protects you if a customer claims injury or property damage caused by the product.
However, original suppliers should hold their own insurance, as bona fide subcontractors are not covered under your policy.
Does cover extend to pop‑up coffee stands or market stalls?
Yes.
Public Liability insurance covers third‑party injury or property damage arising from your business activities, including temporary locations such as pop‑ups or market stalls.
Any equipment and stock taken with you can also be covered, provided it is insured and not left unattended or out of sight beyond policy limits.
What if a customer burns themselves on hot coffee?
You’re covered.
Hot drink scalds or burns suffered by customers fall under Public Liability insurance, provided the injury arises from your business activities.
This includes incidents occurring inside the shop or at external trading locations.
Does insurance cover my espresso machine and grinder repairs?
Your espresso machine, grinder, and other coffee‑making equipment are covered under Catering Equipment cover for accidental damage, loss, or theft, as long as they are not permanently fitted.
This applies whether the equipment is at your premises or temporarily off‑site, with cover available from £5000 up to £100,000.
Please note:
Routine wear and tear or mechanical breakdown repairs themselves are not covered, unless the damage is caused by an insured event (such as accidental damage).
Discover more from Protectivity
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 03/06/2026. 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