Looking for Catering Insurance?
Protect your catering business from event risks, food-related claims, client injuries, and property damage. Get fast, event-ready coverage for caterers, food trucks, mobile vendors, and corporate or wedding teams—with same-day certificates for venues.
What is Catering Insurance?
Catering insurance protects your catering business from event-related risks, client injuries, foodborne illness claims, equipment damage, and property issues at venues. It typically includes general liability and professional liability, with optional coverage for equipment, food transport, or special events. Many venues and event planners require proof of insurance before confirming a booking, making catering insurance essential for compliance, professionalism, and long-term business stability.
Service Liability
Protects you from claims tied to food prep, serving mistakes, spills, burns, or accidents during events.
Client Injury
Covers slips, falls, hot food spills, or guest injuries that occur during catering setups or service.
Equipment Protection
Covers damage, loss, or theft of cooking tools, warmers, coolers, and catering equipment you rely on.
Certificates
Fast event-ready insurance certificates for venues, coordinators, and corporate clients.
Who Needs Catering Insurance?
- Event Caterers : Businesses and professionals requiring catering insurance coverage
- Mobile Vendors : Businesses and professionals requiring catering insurance coverage
- Home Caterers : Businesses and professionals requiring catering insurance coverage
- Small Teams : Businesses and professionals requiring catering insurance coverage
Why Harper?
Catering-Focused Expertise
Caterers face risks tied to food prep, serving, transport, staff activity, and event environments. Harper Insure understands these exposures and guides you toward coverage built for the services you provide, whether you work weddings, corporate events, festivals, or private gatherings. Instead of generic business insurance, you receive direction shaped around real catering scenarios, including spills, burns, foodborne illness claims, equipment damage, and venue requirements—ensuring clear protection for every event.
Fast Event Certificates
Venues and corporate clients often require proof of insurance before confirming a booking. Harper Insure provides fast, accurate certificates that you can send directly to event managers, coordinators, or clients. If you need additional insureds or updated documents for recurring events, our team handles requests quickly so you never miss a deadline. This simple process keeps you compliant with venue rules and helps your catering business appear reliable, professional, and ready for any type of event.
Clear Simple Coverage
Catering insurance can feel confusing, especially when policies use terms unrelated to real food-service operations. Harper Insure explains your coverage in plain language so you understand what's included and what isn't. We walk you through general liability, professional liability, product liability, and equipment protection—and how each applies to catering work like food prep, serving, transport, and setup. With clear guidance, you can confidently choose coverage that fits your catering business without worrying about hidden gaps.
Tailored to Your Services
Whether you cater weddings, corporate events, private dinners, outdoor festivals, or food-truck setups, every service brings different risks. Harper Insure helps match coverage to your operations, equipment, and event types. From hot food handling and buffet setups to mobile stations and staff service, we guide you toward policies built for your workflow. If you offer higher-risk services, we explain relevant endorsements so your coverage stays aligned with your business model and long-term growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance do caterers need?
Most caterers need general liability for guest injuries and property damage, and professional or product liability for food-related claims. Businesses with staff may also need workers comp, equipment protection, or event add-ons. Harper helps you choose coverage that matches your catering work and event requirements.
Is catering insurance required?
Many venues, event planners, and corporate clients require liability insurance before confirming a booking. Some states may link coverage to food-service licensing. Even when not mandatory, insurance protects you from claims that could affect your finances or event schedule. Harper helps you stay compliant and prepared.
How much does catering insurance cost?
Costs vary by state, event type, business size, and required limits. Solo caterers may pay around $20–$50 per month, while larger catering teams often range from $800 to $2,500+ per year. Add-ons like equipment or liquor liability can affect pricing. Harper helps you compare options to find the best fit.
Does it cover foodborne illness?
Yes. Professional or product liability may help protect you if a guest reports illness linked to your food. Coverage applies when the service follows licensing and policy rules. Harper helps you understand what's included, ensuring your policy aligns with your food preparation and serving practices.
Does it cover equipment?
Many catering policies offer optional coverage for equipment like warmers, coolers, tools, cooking stations, food transport units, and mobile setups. This protects you from loss, theft, or damage that could disrupt events. Harper helps you evaluate equipment add-ons based on your catering needs.
Can I add a venue as insured?
Yes. Most venues require being listed as an additional insured for events on their property. Harper Insure helps you add venues, update certificates, and meet contract requirements, ensuring smooth event approvals. Certificates can be issued quickly for last-minute bookings or changes.
