Cafe Business Insurance
Specialist liability insurance for coffee focused food venues, and mobile café setups.
- 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 cafe insurance cover?
Our café insurance is designed for busy cafés serving a mix of drinks, light meals, and snacks, whether you offer dine-in, takeaway, or a combination of both.
It includes public and product liability cover from £1 million up to £10 million, protecting you if a customer is injured on your premises or becomes ill from food or drink you’ve prepared or served. You’ll also be covered for essential equipment and stock, including coffee machines, kitchen appliances, refrigeration units, and the fresh ingredients you rely on day to day.
You can tailor your policy to suit how your café operates. Employers’ liability can be added if you have staff, alongside optional cover for frozen goods, loss of money, and mobile café setups or event trading. This gives you flexibility to choose the level of cover that fits your business 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 cafés need liability insurance?
Running a café means balancing food preparation, drink service, and customer experience throughout the day. With both seated customers and takeaway traffic, there are a range of everyday risks to manage.
Even with strong processes in place, things can go wrong, from customer accidents and food-related issues to equipment failure that affects your ability to serve.
Café insurance helps protect your business from claims, unexpected costs, and disruption, so you can continue to operate with confidence.
These are some typical examples of when café insurance is a necessity:
Customer injury claims
With customers moving between seating areas and counters, accidents can happen. Public liability insurance helps cover legal costs and compensation if someone is injured.
Food-related illness or allergen claims
If a customer becomes unwell due to something you’ve prepared or 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 carrying out their duties.
Proof of insurance required
You may be asked to provide proof of public liability insurance by landlords, local authorities, or when hosting private events or bookings.
Equipment damage
From coffee machines to kitchen equipment, your café relies on key assets to operate. Cover helps you manage repair or replacement costs if something goes wrong or if equipment is stolen.
Off-site catering
If you operate outside your main premises or attend events, optional cover protects your equipment and setup while trading on the move.
Our experts explain why...
“Cafés often operate across both food and drink service, with equipment in constant use and customers regularly moving through the space. If something goes wrong, whether it’s a claim or equipment failure, it can quickly affect day-to-day operations.
Our cover is designed specifically for café owners, helping protect your equipment, your stock, and your business, so you can stay focused on delivering a great customer experience.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does café business insurance cost?
Café 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 premises, a mobile setup, 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
Cafe 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 cafe business 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
Do I need insurance if I only serve takeaway food?
Yes.
Even if your café only serves takeaway food and drinks, you still face risks from customer injury or food‑related claims.
Public Liability insurance protects you if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged due to your business activities, while Product Liability insurance covers claims arising from the food and drinks you supply.
Does café insurance cover food poisoning claims?
Yes.
Food poisoning claims are covered under Product Liability insurance, which protects you if customers become ill after consuming food or drinks supplied by your café.
Up to £10 million of cover is available.
Am I covered if a customer slips on a wet floor?
Yes.
Slips, trips, and falls—including wet floor accidents—are covered under Public Liability insurance if a customer is injured while on your premises or as a result of your business activities.
Does my insurance cover outdoor seating areas?
Yes.
Public Liability insurance extends to outdoor seating areas operated as part of your café, such as pavement tables or courtyard seating.
Customers injured in these areas, or damage caused to third‑party property, would be covered.
What happens if my coffee machine breaks down?
Your coffee machine is covered under Catering Equipment cover for accidental damage, loss, or theft, whether it’s on your premises or temporarily off‑site.
Cover starts from £5000 and can be increased up to £100,000.
Please note:
Mechanical breakdown or routine wear and tear is not covered, unless it results from an insured event (such as accidental damage).
Do I need separate insurance for catering events?
No separate policy is required.
Catering events—such as off‑site functions or private food service—are covered under:
Public Liability insurance for injury or property damage
Product Liability insurance for food and drink provided
Any equipment or stock used must also be insured and comply with unattended and transit conditions.
Does insurance cover theft of equipment or stock?
Yes.
Catering Equipment cover protects against theft of equipment you own or are legally responsible for.
Stock cover protects non‑frozen goods against theft.
Frozen Goods cover protects frozen stock and includes theft, vandalism, refrigeration failure, and power cuts.
Cover limits apply, and equipment or stock must not be left unattended or out of sight beyond policy conditions.
Am I covered if I employ part‑time staff?
Yes—and it’s legally required.
If you employ any staff, including part‑time, temporary workers, or apprentices, you must have Employers’ Liability insurance.
This provides up to £10 million of cover if an employee suffers injury or illness due to employer negligence.
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