In running a catering van business, customers are usually considered the top priority. This is because it is the job of the catering van owner to offer premium satisfaction to the customers. However, things can possibly go bad, and this makes it important for anyone wishing to or already having a catering van to consider insuring their vans. This protects against legal claims, even covers any personal loss whatsoever, and retains a good name for your business. This article will answer your questions as to everything that concerns catering van insurance. It will also include mobile catering van insurance quotes and cost options in the UK.
What Is Catering Van Insurance?
Catering van insurance is a policy designated to cover any damage caused by you or your business to other people and their vehicles. Furthermore, there are also other policies that cover you as well as your employees.Â
To sum up, It’s a general cover for catering van or food truck businesses and other mobile caterers.
Overview
In recent times and in developed countries like the UK, the food business has evolved. It has taken on a different spin and structure. It could even be said to be most desired as it has become a quick resort, especially for foodies, workers during lunch breaks, and even festival goers, and as such, van catering has become far more demanding in the UK and across the globe.
A catering van isn’t just like any van, it is sophisticated with expensive and costly equipment that aids the efficiency of your business. Therefore, you will need a standard mobile catering van insurance policy. This policy won’t only cover the van alone but also the permanent catering equipment in the van. For example; refrigerators, deep fryers, grills, cylinders, ovens, etc. are installed behind and inside. Besides, it would be useless if an insurance payout covered just the van without the kitchen that runs it.
Furthermore, catering vans are exposed to different kinds of risks. For one that moves around from time to time, you can be sure that your van is at risk of being involved in a collision with some other car or may even develop mechanic issues while on the road. On the other hand, if your van doesn’t have to move about, it will still be at risk of fire or explosion from electrical appliances, thus making it a necessity to invest in an insurance policy that caters to these hazards.
Insurers and insurance companies offer catering van insurance that covers both your van and its equipment, whether in transit or on the move.
Catering Van Insurance
As previously stated, catering van insurance is a policy that will pay for any harm you cause to other people or their vehicles. There are also other policies that cover you as well as your employees. As a result, If you intend or already operate either a mobile, static, or seasonal catering business, you will most definitely need insurance for your business, both for your vehicle and all the equipment involved.Â
Types of Catering Van Insurance
There are three essential types of business insurance policies you will need for your van catering business. For example:
#1. Public liability Insurance
 As catering businesses involve interaction with the general public, public liability insurance is popularly considered the best insurance policy to go with. This covers compensation costs as well as legal claims made by members of the public against your catering business for any damages and injuries resulting from your business activity.
#2. Product liability insurance
This is a component of a public liability policy; Hence, it covers compensation claims against your business if a customer becomes ill after consuming food from your van. This type of insurance is typically mandated by legislation, varies by country, and often varies by industry.
#3. Employer’s liability
an insurance policy that covers compensation claims from employees who incur injuries while working for your business. Compensation can include medical bills, loss of income, and other damages. This is a legal requirement for any business that hires staff.
There’s also third-party-only insurance, third-party, fire and theft insurance, and comprehensive insurance.
#4. Third-party liability insurance only
 This covers damages done to other people’s vehicles or property. It doesn’t include any coverage for your personal damages or your vehicle. Even so, this is the lowest level of coverage
#5. Third-party, fire, and theftÂ
It’s similar to the third-party-only policy but also includes coverage for damages you incur, attempted theft of a vehicle, or your vehicle being involved in a fire accident.
#6. Comprehensive insurance
 This is the highest and widest coverage level. In the event of an accident that isn’t a collision, this safeguards your vehicle. Furthermore, It covers losses like theft, vandalism, hail and even hitting an animal. This is an optional coverage you can take to protect your vehicle
Mobile Catering Van Insurance in the UK
Mobile catering van insurance is a huge investment for your business, so taking out insurance not only protects your vehicle but also provides you with protection for your livelihood. If your van will constantly be on the road from time to time, you will need to consider an insurance policy that will cover issues that may arise while on the move and during business activity.
As stated previously in this post, mobile catering vans come with different risks than a standard van, such as flammable gas bottles and valuable cooking equipment. So you will need more extensive insurance coverage when it comes to mobile catering than a standard van would need, especially in the UK.
Cover for Your Van and Its Fixtures and Fittings
 The equipment in a mobile catering van is often more expensive than the vehicle itself. Hence, it’s good to insure your vehicle to enable your travel to and from events, cities, and towns, but it’s also great to be sure that you have a policy that covers all your permanent fittings and fixtures.
We have listed out types of mobile catering van insurance Just in case you’re still in doubt on which one to go for, you can go through them again to be sure of the exact one that best suits the nature of the business you are looking to start or have already started.
Catering Van Insurance Cost
The average cost of mobile catering van insurance is approximately £1,773.85–£3,547.63 a year. Therefore, the cost of catering van insurance will depend on the policy you choose, the unique risk your catering van faces or will face in the future, the value of equipment owned, and several operating factors. Below is an average mobile catering van insurance quote:
- General Liability Insurance: £266.05–£709.27 Premium Cost (for £886,696.28 Coverage and £0 Deductible)
- Commercial Auto Insurance: £1,330.16–2,660.08 Premium Cost (for £221,728.79 Coverage and £443.42 Deductible)
- Contents Insurance: £266.05–£886.88 Premium Cost (for £22,167.17 Coverage and £443.42 Deductible)
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance: £886.83–£1,330.24 Premium Cost (for £886,696.28 Coverage and £0 Deductible).
However, the prices mentioned above might not be fit for your business type due to factors that could surround the nature of your business, which will most definitely have an impact on your catering van insurance cost.
Catering Van Insurance Quote
Below is a rundown of what a catering van insurance quote would look like in the UK. It basically reflects the actual prices of some insurance companies.
These examples are real company quote options for catering van insurance and are based on a range of factors, like employees and location. However, yours will most definitely not be exactly the same as quoted here, but it will be based on what you tell the insurance company about your business. Prices also go up or down on a daily basis, so the ones you will be quoted may differ from the ones you see here.Â
#1. Optima
A small food van that serves in a retail car park
- 1-2 years experience
- Sole trader
- No employees
- Based in Liverpool
Liability Information
- Public liability: £1,000,000
- Employers’ liability: Not included
- Contents/business equipment: Not included
Optima Catering Van Insurance Quote
- £15.38 /month
- £133.77 /year
#2. Maltings Catering Van Insurance Quote
A mobile food van that specializes in functions and weddings
- 5+ years’ experience
- Limited company
- 2 employees
- Based in EH11 2AY
Liability Information
- Public liability: £2,000,000
- Employers’ liability: £10,000,000
- Contents/business equipment: £10,000
Factors That Impact the Rate of Food Truck InsuranceÂ
The following factors directly impact the rate of food truck insurance in the UK and across the globe; indirectly affecting the quote of catering van insurance.
- Providers: Each insurance company will likely offer a different insurance rate. However, most offers may be within the same general price range but you might want to go over other options to get the best rate
- Business size: Business size would really have an impact on your rates. Reasonably, larger businesses will attract higher rates, while smaller businesses will attract lower rates.
- Value of equipment: The cost or value of your catering van fittings and fixtures will certainly affect your rate offer.Â
- Coverage amount: Most insurance providers give you the option to choose what kind of coverage you want. The level of coverage you choose will affect the cost of your catering van insurance. For example, choosing minimum coverage lowers your cost, while maximum coverage raises it.
- State policies: Depending on what state your food truck operates in, you will see a difference in what insurance policy is required. Hence, the license and permits your truck will need to operate will vary depending on the state or city you are in
- Number of employees and payroll: Your insurance costs can rise depending on the number of employees and how much they are paid.Â
This and a few more are factors on which your catering van insurance costs are dependent.Â
Catering Van Insurance UK
Catering van insurance operates differently in several countries and cities. This means that there are very necessary considerations you might need to look into before your food truck or business can operate legally in the UK. One of them is knowing the type of insurance your food truck will need in the UK. Another is knowing the exact food truck catering license and permit you need in the UK. Therefore, it’s safe to ask questions like:
- What insurance does my catering van need in the UK?
- What food truck catering license do I need in the UK? if you’re looking to start a business in this line.
What Insurance Does My Catering Van Need in the UK?
Running a catering van is rather different in the UK than in any other city or country. Hence, you will need to go through a checklist of various insurance policies to make sure your food truck business operates legally as well as to be at peace while running your business. However, we have given a list of different insurance policies your business will need to run smoothly, especially if you want to start one in the UK; that can also apply to you. Also, when choosing an insurance policy, it’s very important to know that the exact type of food truck insurance you need will depend on the type of mobile catering unit and the number of employees.
What Food Catering License Do I Need in the UK?
This is one question that is rarely asked, especially for people in this line of business or starters; however, it is of great importance to know which permits and licenses you will need if you want to establish an up-and-running food van business.Â
There are a number of certificates, permits, and paperwork you’ll need, whether it’s a food truck or street food stall you intend to run, such as:
#1. Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene
By law in the UK, It is imperative to have a minimum of level 2 if you are operating, preparing, or cooking food in the catering industry. You will also need to have level 3 if you are managing and controlling a team. Getting your level 2 or 3 is simply straightforward; you can do an online course or attend a day course at a local college.
To start making sales with your catering van or on your stall, you need to register with your local council as a new food business and notify them at least 28 days before you can start selling. After registration, you will be contacted by the health and safety executive from your local authority (HSE) for an inspection of where your food is stored, prepared, and cooked.
#3. Have a HACCP plan in place
A HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control point) is a documented plan showing a record of how you store, prepare, and transport your food. More so, one of these plans must be in place; if not, your local authority will grade you low on hygiene no matter how clean your truck appears to be.Â
There are also a few more, but these three are the most essential.
Cheap Catering Van Insurance
Apparently, there are no cheap catering vans in the real sense of the word. However, It is very safe to know that there are a number of different factors to be considered in acquiring cheap catering van insurance and knowing how much it costs to insure a particular van. In this case, Insurers look through those factors to place a premium. Such factors are:
- Parts and repairs
- Performance
- Weight
- Engine size
- Security
In order to get cheap catering van insurance, it’s always best to begin with a van that has a low insurance group rating. In contrast to panel vans and pick-ups, not all comparison websites cater to catering vans. Therefore, this means you probably have to shop around the old-fashioned way, by searching separate websites for insurers and calling brokers to find out what coverage is best.
Prices are cut for vehicles that have subsidiary security measures in place,, for example, a tracker and/or refurbished door locks. You can also be granted a price reduction if you are part of a trade body, like the Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS).
Few Cheap Vans to Insure
Smaller vans are typically cheaper to insure, but that doesn’t disregard the fact that premiums will not come on a platter of gold or will not cost an arm and a leg.
Citroen Dispatch 2007–2016 (Insurance Group 3E)
The past-generation Citroen Dispatch has the lowest insurance group of any new or used UK panel van, at 3E. Thus, It doesn’t actually matter if you go for the least powerful 1.6-litre HDi 90PS model or the 125PS 2.0-litre HDi, as both are available in the same group. You can also make a choice between L1H1 and L1H2 and 1000 or 1200 parameters without swerving from insurance group 3E.Â
The cost of this catering van insurance, as shown below,, is a rough guide to help you know what your budget should be like. However, your circumstances could vary. That is why it is advised to do a full survey through several websites to get quotes that best fit your taste.
| Gladiator | Van Quote | City Insurance | Admiral | LV | |
| 18-year-old | £2532 | No quote | £7565 | £247 | No quote |
| 25-year old | £1300 | £1216 | £1128 | £1274 | No quote |
| 45-year-old | £533 | £432 | £414 | £523 | No quote |
Citroen Relay 2006 (Insurance Group 4E)
The current Citroen Relay is the answer to your search if you are after a new panel van with more space and want to keep insurance charges at a minimum level. Its insurance group is higher than the dispatch at 4E. The Citroen Relay is undeniably the best van in its class to drive.
What will it cost to drive?
The cost to insure this van, as shown below, is a rough guide to help you know what your budget should be like. Although your circumstances could vary, that is why it is advised to do a full survey through several websites to get prices that best fit your taste.
| Gladiator | Van Quote | City Insurance | Admiral | LV | |
| 18 Year old | £5872 | No quote | £6971 | £5752 | No quote |
| 25 year old | £1258 | No quote | £1115 | £1234 | No quote |
| 45 year old | £552 | No quote | £455 | £540 | No quote |
Nissan NV200 (2009–2019) [Insurance Group 5E]
It starts in insurance group 5E, though it limits you to a 90 PS 1.5-litre dCi engine in either E or Visia trim levels. It’s more car-like to drive, has a very good ride, and has a spacious interior.
What will it cost?
The cost to insure this van, as shown below, is a rough guide to help you know what your budget should be like. Although your circumstances could vary, that is why it is advised to do a full survey through several websites to get prices that best fit your taste.
| Gladiator | Van Quote | City Insurance | Admiral | LV | |
| 18 Year old | No quote | No quote | No quote | No quote | No quote |
| 25 year old | £1039 | No quote | £717 | £1019 | No quote |
| 45 year old | £619 | No quote | £404 | £608 | No quote |
 These are just a few cheap vans you can insure, but like I already said, you cannot make a budget based on the information above. Notwithstanding, You can only use this as a guide to get acquainted or to have a clear knowledge of what you should expect depending on the nature of the business you desire to run or already running.
Catering Van Insurance FAQs
What qualifications do you need to run a catering van in the UK?
The following are the qualifications you need to run a standard catering van in the UK:
- Level 2 food safety and hygiene
- Valid registration with your local authority
- Having a HACCP plan in place
how profitable are catering van business in the UK?
A typical gross profit margin in the mobile catering industry is between 65 and 85%, with some as high as 95%! Few businesses offer that kind of margin, meaning you’ve got great potential to make a lot of money here. You do, of course, have to pay for various things aside from stock, like your unit, rent, and wages.
what does business insurance cover on a van?
Commercial van insurance is also known as business van insurance. It covers your work vans and your personal or professional possessions, like tools. It can cover travel to multiple places of work as well as the transport of goods and materials.
