Sandwich Bar Liability Insurance
Specialist liability insurance for sandwich bars, takeaway counters and mobile sandwich deliveries.
- 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 sandwich business insurance cover?
Our sandwich bar insurance is designed for busy takeaway shops, high street sandwich counters, and mobile sandwich vans serving fresh 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 becomes ill from food you’ve prepared or sold. You’ll also be covered for essential equipment and perishable stock, including refrigeration units, prep counters, and the ingredients you depend on to keep service running.
You can tailor your policy to suit how your sandwich business operates. Employers’ liability can be added if you have staff, alongside optional cover for frozen goods, loss of money, and mobile sandwich vans or pop-up trading. So, you’re protected without paying for anything you don’t need.
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 sandwich shops need insurance?
Running a sandwich bar means serving customers quickly, handling fresh ingredients, and managing busy lunch periods.
Even with good processes in place, things can go wrong, from customer accidents to food-related issues or equipment failure.
Sandwich shop insurance helps protect your business from claims, unexpected costs, and downtime, so you can keep trading.
These are some typical examples of when sandwich business insurance is a necessity:
Customer injury claims
Busy shops increase the risk of accidents. Public liability covers legal costs and compensation if a customer is injured.
Food-related illness or allergen claims
If a customer becomes ill from food you’ve prepared or sold, product liability helps protect against claims and 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 your sandwich operation can operate or trade.
Equipment damage
Fridges, prep units, and small kitchen equipment are essential. Cover helps you recover quickly if they’re damaged or stolen.
Our experts explain why...
“The sandwich shop environment is fast-paced and relies on dependable equipment and consistent food safety. If key equipment fails or a claim is made, it can quickly impact your ability to trade.
Our cover is designed specifically for sandwich bar owners, protecting your equipment, stock, and business so you can stay focused on serving customers.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does coffee shop business insurance cost?
Sandwich bar insurance starts from £5.82* a month for an annual policy.
The cost depends on your setup, including whether you employ staff, your level of cover, and whether you operate from a fixed shop, mobile unit, or both.
With the right cover in place, you can protect your business, your equipment, and your income, without paying for unexpected costs that might arise.
Prices from
£5.82* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£5.82* a month
Policy type
Sandwich Bar 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 sandwich bar liability 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
What insurance do I need to operate a sandwich shop in the UK?
Most sandwich shops will need Public Liability insurance, which protects you if a customer or other third party is injured or has their property damaged due to your business activities.
If you employ staff (full‑time, part‑time, temporary, or apprentices), Employers’ Liability insurance is a legal requirement, and provides up to £10 million of cover.
Additional optional covers such as Catering Equipment, Stock, Frozen Goods, Loss of Money, and Catering Trailer cover can be added depending on your business setup.
Am I covered against food poisoning claims from customers?
Yes. Up to £10 million of cover is available.
Food poisoning would fall under Product Liability insurance, which covers claims arising from goods or food you supply that cause injury or illness, provided you take reasonable precautions.
Are refrigeration units and catering equipment covered if they breakdown?
Your equipment itself is protected under Catering Equipment cover for accidental damage, loss, or theft.
However, breakdown of the refrigeration unit itself is not directly covered unless the breakdown causes damage or loss to frozen goods, in which case the Frozen Goods cover applies.
Am I covered for any spoiled stock due to power cuts or equipment failure?
Yes, if you select Frozen Goods cover.
This protects frozen stock against damage or loss caused by:
- Refrigeration equipment breakdown
- Failure of the public electricity supply
- Theft or vandalism
Cover is available from £250 up to £3,000.
Does my policy include protection for customer allergic reactions?
Yes. Customer allergic reactions are treated as an injury caused by the product supplied.
These claims fall under Product Liability insurance, with up to £10 million of cover available.
(Ensure allergens are managed and labelled correctly, as required by law.)
Am I insured for loss of perishable stock like meats, cheeses, and salad ingredients?
Yes, depending on the type of stock.
Frozen items: covered under Frozen Goods cover (up to £3,000).
Chilled or ambient stock (non-frozen goods): covered under Stock cover (from £250 up to £3,000) for accidental damage, loss, or theft.
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