Tea Room Insurance
Get liability insurance for tea rooms, cafés with table service, and mobile or event-based tea experiences.
- 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 tea room insurance cover?
Our tea room insurance is designed for traditional and boutique tea rooms offering table service, homemade food, and a relaxed customer experience, whether you operate from a fixed location or cater at events.
It includes public and product liability cover from £1 million up to £10 million, protecting you if a customer is injured while visiting your tea room or becomes ill from food or drinks you’ve prepared or served. You’ll also be covered for essential equipment and stock, including display cabinets, baking equipment, and the ingredients used in your cakes, pastries, and afternoon teas.
You can tailor your policy to reflect how your tea room operates. Employers’ liability can be added if you have staff, along with optional cover for frozen goods, loss of money, and off-site or event catering. This means you get the protection you need without paying for cover that doesn’t apply to your business.
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 tea rooms need business insurance?
Running a tea room is about creating a welcoming, relaxed environment where customers can enjoy food and drink at their own pace. With seated service, homemade products, and customer-facing spaces, there are still everyday risks to consider.
Even in a calm setting, incidents can happen, from customer accidents to food-related issues or equipment problems that affect your ability to serve.
Tea room insurance helps protect your business from claims, unexpected costs, and disruption, so you can continue delivering a high-quality experience for your customers.
These are some typical examples of when tea room insurance is a necessity:
Customer injury claims
With customers seated and moving around your space, there is always a risk of trips or spills. Public liability insurance helps cover legal costs and compensation if an accident occurs.
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 linked to contamination or allergens.
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 baking equipment to display units, your tea room relies on key equipment to operate. Cover helps you manage the cost of repairs or replacement if something goes wrong.
Off-site catering
If you provide afternoon teas at events or external venues, optional cover can protect your equipment and setup while you’re working away from your main location.
Our experts explain why...
“Tea rooms are often built around experience, presentation, and consistency. From homemade food to carefully maintained equipment, even a small disruption can affect your ability to deliver the standard your customers expect.
Our cover is designed specifically for tea room owners, helping protect your equipment, your stock, and your business, so you can stay focused on creating a welcoming environment for your customers.”
Chris Trotman, Protectivity Underwriting Manager
How much does insurance for tea rooms cost?
Tea room insurance starts from £5.82* a month for an annual policy.
The cost will depend on your individual setup, including whether you employ staff, the level of cover you choose, and whether you operate solely from a fixed location or also provide off-site services.
With the right cover in place, you can protect your business, your equipment, and your income, while continuing to offer the experience your customers return for.
Prices from
£5.82* a month
Explainer quote
Policy cost
£5.82* a month
Policy type
Tea Room 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 tea room 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 cover for cream tea delivery services?
Yes, it can be covered.
If you deliver cream teas or takeaway items:
Product Liability insurance covers food‑related claims after delivery
Stock and Frozen Goods cover protects food against accidental damage, loss, or theft (including spoilage caused by power failure for frozen items)
Please note that claims for financial losses caused by late or non‑delivery are not covered.
Does insurance cover afternoon tea events and private bookings?
Yes. Afternoon teas, private bookings, and special events are covered under:
Public Liability insurance for guest injuries or property damage
Product Liability insurance for food and drink served
Any equipment or stock used for these events can also be covered if you have added Equipment and Stock cover.
Am I covered for garden or outdoor tea service?
Yes. Public Liability insurance covers claims from customers or members of the public who are injured or have their property damaged due to your business activities, including outdoor seating areas and garden tea service, provided these areas are operated as part of your insured business.
Does insurance cover vintage china and tea ware?
Yes. Vintage china, teapots, cups, and other tea ware are covered under Catering Equipment cover, as long as they are business equipment you own or are legally responsible for and are not permanently fixed.
This cover protects against accidental damage, loss, or theft, whether the items are on your premises or temporarily off‑site. Cover starts from £250 and can be increased up to £10,000.
Am I covered if I sell products made by local suppliers?
Yes. If you sell cakes, preserves, or other food items made by local suppliers, your Product Liability insurance provides protection if a claim is made against you by a customer.
However, bona fide subcontractors and suppliers should have their own insurance, as your policy does not cover them directly.
Does tea room insurance cover homemade cakes and baked goods?
Yes. Homemade cakes and baked goods you prepare and serve in your tea room are covered under Product Liability insurance. This protects you if a customer becomes ill or injured as a result of food you’ve made and supplied. Up to £10 million of cover is available.
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