Catering Vehicle Insurance: Why the Right Cover Matters for Your Mobile Catering Business
Catering vehicle insurance is an important consideration for anyone operating a mobile food or drink business. Whether you’re launching a new street food concept, expanding an established business or taking your brand on the road, your catering vehicle can quickly become one of the most valuable assets within your operation.
Alongside the design, equipment, menu and branding, insurance shouldn’t be something that’s left until the last minute. Having appropriate cover starts with understanding exactly what needs protecting and making sure your insurer understands what your vehicle is, how it has been converted and how it will be used.
Why Catering Vehicle Insurance Is Different
A professionally converted catering vehicle is very different from a standard commercial van.
Depending on the build, it could contain thousands of pounds worth of specialist equipment, commercial electrical systems, LPG installations, extraction equipment, refrigeration, water systems, stainless-steel fabrication and bespoke fixtures. Then there’s the value of the catering conversion itself.
For this reason, when arranging catering vehicle insurance, it’s important to make sure your insurer understands exactly what they are being asked to cover.
A policy designed for an ordinary commercial vehicle may not necessarily reflect the requirements of a purpose-built mobile catering business. The modifications, equipment and commercial use of the vehicle should all be discussed with your chosen insurance provider.
Think Beyond the Catering Vehicle
The vehicle itself is only one part of the picture. Depending on your business and how you operate, there may be several areas of insurance to consider, including:
- The vehicle and its catering conversion
- Catering and commercial kitchen equipment
- Public liability
- Product liability
- Employers’ liability where applicable
- Stock and contents
- Business interruption
- Event and trading requirements
- Breakdown or recovery provision
Every mobile catering business is different, so appropriate cover will depend on factors such as the vehicle, installed equipment, trading locations, employees and the type of food or drink operation you’re running.
Tell Your Insurer About Your Catering Vehicle Conversion
One of the most important things you can do when arranging catering vehicle insurance is give your insurer accurate information about the vehicle and its conversion.
A professional catering conversion can involve substantial modifications to the original vehicle, including service hatches, electrical installations, LPG systems, extraction, plumbing, fabrication and permanently installed commercial catering equipment.
Your insurer should be made aware of relevant modifications and the intended use of the vehicle so they can advise you on appropriate cover.
Keeping documentation relating to the build, installed equipment and relevant electrical or gas certification can also make it much easier to provide accurate information about your catering vehicle when arranging insurance.
Don’t Leave Catering Vehicle Insurance Until Handover Day
We recommend considering insurance before your catering vehicle is ready to collect.
Starting the conversation early gives you time to explain the vehicle specification, understand what information your chosen insurer requires and arrange suitable cover before the vehicle enters service.
There are also wider legal requirements that mobile catering businesses may need to consider. The UK Government provides guidance on Employers’ Liability insurance, including information about when businesses employing staff are required to have cover.
Insurance requirements can vary considerably between businesses, so it’s always important to discuss your individual operation with an appropriate insurance provider rather than assuming a standard policy will cover everything associated with your catering vehicle.
Building More Than Just Catering Vehicles
At Bespoke Catering Vehicles, we want the journey from initial concept through to operating your finished vehicle to be as straightforward as possible.
We design and manufacture bespoke catering vans, trailers and container conversions, with each project developed around the requirements of the individual business.
That means thinking beyond simply building the vehicle. We want our customers to have the information and support they need as they move from the build process into operating their new mobile catering business.
Something New Is Coming…
We’re currently working behind the scenes on an exciting new development for Bespoke Catering Vehicles customers.
Our aim is to make another important part of getting your catering vehicle on the road simpler – and potentially more cost-effective.
We can’t reveal the details just yet, but we’ll be announcing more very soon.
Watch this space.