60-second summary
What insurance do you need for a catering van? Here’s a brief look at the main need-to-knows:
Standard van insurance only covers ‘social and domestic’ use. If you’re using your van to run a business, you’ll need commercial van insurance.
As well as van insurance, you may also need small business insurance to protect your mobile catering business.
Specialist catering van insurance can be more expensive than standard van insurance. But a specialist policy may offer specific protection like full fire cover and permanent fixtures and fittings cover.
Shop around and compare standard commercial and specialist van policies to see which could offer the cover you need at a price that suits you.
What insurance might I need for a mobile catering van?
Wherever you’re planning to pitch up your catering van – from a rural festival to a buzzing city street – you’re going to need insurance.
Regular van insurance only covers you for ‘social and domestic’ use, not for business use. So, you’re going to need business van insurance for your mobile catering van.
As with most vehicle cover, there are three levels of business van insurance:
Third-party only – The legal minimum level of insurance. It covers any damage you cause to other people and their vehicles, as a result of your driving. But it won’t cover repairs to your van.
Third-party, fire and theft – This offers the same cover as third-party and pays out if your catering van’s stolen or destroyed or damaged by fire.
Comprehensive – Offers all the features of a third-party, fire and theft policy. You’ll also be covered if your van needs to be fixed after an accident.
As a catering van business you should also consider the risks associated with serving food and drinks to members of the public. You’d be wise to protect your business with small business insurance, which covers a range of policies that could be relevant to your catering business.
What insurance should I look at for my catering business?
The types of catering business insurance you might need include:
Public liability insurance – this could protect you against claims and legal costs from someone who suffers injury or damage to their property as a result of your business activity.
Product liability insurance – could cover compensation and legal costs if the food you serve causes someone to have food poisoning or an allergic reaction.
Employers’ liability insurance – this is a legal requirement if you employ anyone to help you run your catering van business.
Business contents insurance – cover for your stock and catering equipment. Check whether this includes goods in transit cover. It offers financial protection if the contents in your van are damaged, stolen or spoiled when you’re on the move.
Business interruption insurance – could cover the loss of any income if your catering van business is unable to operate for an insured reason.
How much does catering van insurance cost?
The cost of catering van insurance depends on a number of factors including:
Your age, address and driving history
The type and size of catering van
Any modifications to the catering van
The type of business you run
Where your van is parked overnight
Named drivers on your policy
Your van’s annual mileage
The level of cover you want.
Top tip
If you have several employees who may need to drive your van, you could save money by naming them individually on a policy, rather than choosing ‘any driver’ insurance.
How might I save on insurance for my catering van?
There are a few things you can do to help cut the cost of your catering van insurance. These include:
Parking overnight in a secure place, off the road
Improving your van’s security
Limiting your annual mileage
Paying a higher voluntary excess
Carefully considering named drivers – drivers with points and younger drivers may push up the cost of your premium.
Read more of our top tips for getting cheaper van insurance.
What other legal steps do I need to take to run a catering van business?
If you’re planning to start up your own catering van business, by law you’ll need:
The correct driving licence for the size of your catering van
A Gas Safety Certificate for gas equipment like hobs and grills
Food premises approval from your local council
A personal and premises licence if you sell alcohol
Food hygiene certificate.
You’ll also need a Food Standards Agency-approved HACCP plan to ensure you meet all the food safety management requirements. Plus, you’ll need a risk assessment plan in place against potential risks and hazards.
Compare van insurance
You may be able to find providers who offer dedicated catering van insurance through our comparison site. To get a van insurance quote, simply fill in your details and let us know what you need.
And if you’re looking for a business insurance quote for your catering van business, we can help with that too.
Compare with us and see if you can save on the protection you need for your mobile catering business.
FAQs
Do I need specialist catering van insurance?
Specialist catering van insurance might offer specific benefits that you won’t find with standard van insurance. For example, a specialist policy may offer cover for:
Modified catering vans
Converted vans
Permanent fixtures and fittings inside your van
Full fire cover for hot food vans.
Is catering van insurance more expensive than regular van insurance?
Yes, catering van insurance is likely to be more expensive than standard van insurance. This is because of the specific risks involved, like cooking and food storage, and the value of equipment in your van.
What extras can I add to my catering van insurance?
Typical extras that you can add to your van insurance policy include:
Legal expenses cover
Windscreen cover
Personal accident cover.
Some comprehensive and specialist policies may include these extras as standard, so check before you buy.
Julie is passionate about delivering a great customer experience and rewarding people for saving on their insurance through our loyalty and rewards programme. She’s spoken to the media, including outlets like Sky News, about car and home insurance, as well as our Meerkat rewards scheme.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by AI. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
