Catering Insurance in Massachusetts

What is Catering Insurance?

Catering businesses require not insubstantial investments of time and finances, and those investments ought to be protected when possible. Purchasing catering insurance is one way that caterers in Massachusetts can protect their businesses.

Catering insurance is specialized commercial insurance designed for caterers. The insurance normally comes as a package policy that has several coverages bundled together, which makes it possible to protect against multiple risks.

What Massachusetts Businesses Should Carry Caterer Insurance?

Most Massachusetts that cater events ought to have caterer insurance in place. This includes businesses such as:

Full- and part-time caterers
Seasonal and wedding caterers
Cooks who cater as a side hustle
Restaurants that also cater off-site

Not purchasing insurance can leave almost any business exposed to risk, and this tends to be the best type of insurance for these businesses.

Should Food Trucks Purchase Caterer Insurance?

Food trucks present a unique situation with regard to insurance. Depending on their specific details, food trucks might be well-served by a caterer insurance policy or a food truck insurance policy. An insurance agent who specializes in caterer and food truck policies can help truck owners decide which option is best for their business.

What Coverages Are Available Through Caterer Insurance Policies?

The coverages that caterer policies provide generally help protect against property and liability risks. Some commonly offered coverages include:

Commercial Contents Coverage, which may cover equipment and food ingredients
Equipment Breakdown Coverage, which may cover equipment against breakdowns
Food Contamination Coverage, which may cover food against post-disaster spoilage
Commercial Auto Coverage, which may cover work vehicles and accidents
General Liability Coverage, which may cover common accidents and defamation suits
Liquor Liability Coverage, which may cover accidents involving intoxicated patrons
Product Liability Coverage, which may cover illnesses caused by foods or drinks
Commercial Umbrella Coverage, which may provide additional liability protection

Some caterers that have a company-owned cooking facility might also need commercial property coverage for their facility.

When Do Caterers Need Liquor Liability Coverage?

Caterers generally should have liquor liability coverage anytime they’re serving alcoholic beverages, for a server may be held liable for incidents involving intoxicated patrons.

Caterers that regularly serve alcoholic beverages likely should include liquor liability coverage as standard protection within their caterer policy. Those that only serve alcohol occasionally might find that a short-term special event liquor liability policy can be purchased on an as-needed basis. Those who don’t serve any alcohol generally don’t need this coverage.

When Do Caterers Need Workers Compensation Coverage?

Workers' compensation normally protects against workplace injuries and illnesses, and most businesses that have employees in Massachusetts are required to carry the coverage. Thus, most full-time, part-time, seasonal, wedding and restaurant caterers need workers' compensation.

Caterers who are one-person operations, such as cooks that have side gigs, might not be legally required to carry this coverage. Cooks sometimes still get the coverage to protect themselves, for health insurance policies can exclude work injuries and employer-provided policies usually don’t extend to side gigs.

How Much Do Caterer Policies Cost?

Premiums for caterer policies vary because they’re based on a multitude of factors. A caterer's location, region served, menu and size are just some of the factors that can influence cost. Past claims, chosen coverages and many other details also frequently impact how much rates are.

An independent insurance agent can help caterers explore how much insurance will cost in their situation. Unlike captive agents, independent agents aren’t linked to any one insurance company and can explore policy options from multiple insurers.

How Can Caterers Get Catering Insurance?

For help finding catering insurance in Massachusetts, contact the independent insurance agents at Roger Butler Insurance. Our agents have the expertise necessary to ensure you get a policy that will protect your business well, and we can recommend policies regardless of what company offers them.