Chef Insurance
Specialist business insurance for Chefs from £5.82 per month.*
- Public Liability up to £10 million
- Equipment & Stock cover
- Annual & short-term policies
- Join over 150,000 customers**
From £5.82* a month
What does chef insurance cover?
Our chef insurance is designed specifically for professional chefs working independently, whether you’re providing private dining experiences, freelance kitchen services, or culinary consultancy.
As a chef, your skills and reputation are your business – our cover protects both.
The policy provides public liability cover from £1 million up to £10 million, protecting you if a client or guest suffers injury or property damage due to your work. Product liability is also included, safeguarding you against claims arising from food you’ve prepared causing illness or allergic reactions.
You can add equipment cover to protect your professional knives, cookware, and specialist tools against theft, loss, or damage; whether you’re working in a client’s kitchen or your own. Stock cover is available for ingredients and supplies you’re storing or transporting between jobs. Optional extras include employers’ liability if you work with sous chefs or kitchen assistants, and loss of money cover for cash payments received from clients.
Our policies are flexible enough to accommodate chefs who work from various locations, travel to clients’ homes, or operate pop-up dining experiences. You’ll only pay for the protection your specific working pattern requires.
Public Liability
Equipment & Stock
Frozen Goods
Employers' Liability
Catering Trailer
Public Liability insurance for caterers
- Up to £10 million available.
- Protection from claims by a third-party (EG 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 in a driveway, 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 chef insurance?
As a chef, your clients depend on you to deliver exceptional food and service for their special occasions. They trust in your expertise, professionalism, and attention to detail. However, even with the best planning, unexpected incidents can happen. Catering insurance protects professional caterers like you from potential claims that might arise from accidents, mistakes, or unforeseen circumstances during your service.
From food related issues to equipment damage or accidents involving your staff or customers, catering comes with a variety of risks.
Whatever your catering activities may be, there will always be unique challenges and risks that could impact you and your business. That’s why our policy is fully adaptable, offering tailored cover whether you’re a private chef, operate a catering trailer, run a food stall, or work as a freelance caterer. With the right insurance, you’ll have the peace of mind to focus on delighting your clients and growing your business.
These are some typical examples of when insurance for chefs is a necessity:
Protection from claims should a client or member of the public get injured.
Protection against claims arising from accidental injury to a customer or third party, or damage to their belongings. This could be a customer tripping over your catering equipment, or it could be damage caused to a personal affect, such as staining a household surface.
Either way, in the event of incidents like these, you need public liability for catering cover to avoid vulnerability to a substantial compensation claim, as well as other associated costs.
Protection if someone becomes ill from food you produce.
A customer may become unwell or burn themselves from food you’ve prepared, which could result in a claim against you.
Having product liability protects against eventualities including contamination, spoilage and other food defects can help avoid costly compensation claims if they arise.
An employee or temporary worker suffers a workplace accident.
Employees may be at risk of accidents or injuries during their work and hold you responsible. If you have employees or hire temporary workers for your catering services, employers’ liability covers you against claims from these incidents, it is a legal obligation with fines of £2500 per day for failing to comply.
A venue requires proof of liability cover.
If you are contracted to provide catering services for an event it is often obligatory to provide proof of public liability insurance to a venue or event organiser as part of their risk assessment.
Your catering trailer gets damaged on a job
Your catering trailer is the heart of your business, serving meals to happy customers. Now imagine something large falling on your trailer during a job, causing damage that leaves it unusable. Without insurance, you’d face costly repairs, potentially running into thousands of pounds, along with lost income from downtime.
Catering trailer insurance protects you from these unexpected expenses, helping you get back to serving your customers without financial stress.
Our experts explain why...
“As a professional chef, your reputation and livelihood depend on delivering exceptional service consistently. Whether you’re working in clients’ homes, running pop-up dining experiences, or providing freelance kitchen services, you face unique risks daily. From accidental food contamination claims to knife injuries or damage to a client’s property, the potential for costly incidents is ever-present. Comprehensive insurance protection ensures that one unfortunate mishap doesn’t derail your culinary career.
It provides the financial security and professional credibility you need to operate with confidence, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best – creating outstanding food experiences.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does Chef insurance cost?
Chef insurance starts at just £5.82* a month for an annual policy.
The cost of your chef insurance premium will depend on factors such as the value of equipment you need to protect, the frequency of your work, and the types of venues you operate in. Chefs working in private homes or at high-profile events may see different pricing compared to those providing consultancy services. Specialist insurance demonstrates professionalism to clients and venues whilst protecting your livelihood from the financial impact of claims.
It’s an essential investment that allows you to accept bookings with confidence, knowing your career is protected should the unexpected occur.
Prices from
£5.82* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£5.82* a month
Policy type
Catering
Duration
Annual
Turnover
£50,000
Public Liability
£1,000,000
Catering Equipment
£250
Stock & Frozen Foods
£250
This example is based on a real quote from our website on 15/07/2025. 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.
What types of businesses need catering insurance?
There are several different types of business that might need catering insurance. Here is a selection of organisations we cover, however if you don’t see your activity listed, speak to our team to find out what we can offer.
Mobile food trucks and trailers
Whether you’re serving up gourmet burgers on a street corner or at a local festival, if you run a food truck, having catering insurance can protect you against common incidents.
Whilst we can cover your catering trailer, please note our policy cannot cover your vehicles, this insurance would be through your motor insurance policy. See policy documentation for more details.
In-House catering
If you provide in-house catering services, from corporate events to weddings, having the right insurance can help keep things running smoothly.
Personal chefs and home-based caterers
If you’re a personal chef or running a catering business from your own kitchen, having the right insurance is a must.
Make sure your home insurance provider knows about your business, or you could be left without proper cover.
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 chef insurance policy?
Let the reviews of over 3,500 customers explain why you should choose us.¹
Trusted by over 150,000 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 14/04/2025. 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 Sep 2024
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