Food Truck Insurance in Massachusetts

What insurance protections should food trucks look for when getting insurance?

Food cart policies can come with a variety of coverages. Some examples include:

• Commercial Vehicle Coverage: Might provide auto coverage for a truck, insuring against damage and liability arising from auto accidents.
• Commercial Property Coverage: Might cover food prep equipment, other equipment, and inventory kept on a truck.
• Inland Marine Coverage: Might cover equipment and other items as a truck is driven to/from different locations.
• General Liability Coverage: Might cover common (non-auto) accidents around a truck that result in third-party injury.
• Product Liability Coverage: Might cover illnesses and injuries caused by food or beverages that are sold.
• Liquor Liability Coverage: Might cover incidents involving customers who are served alcohol.
• Commercial Umbrella Coverage: Might give additional liability coverage for major claims that exceed another liability limit.

The specific coverages that a mobile food business needs are highly dependent upon its situation. A non-vehicle food cart likely doesn’t need commercial vehicle coverage, and a truck that’s parked in one location may not require inland marine coverage. Liquor liability is usually required if serving alcohol, but unneeded if not. 

An insurance agent specializing in food cart insurance policies will be able to evaluate the specific coverage needs of a mobile food business.

Do food trucks need workers compensation insurance?

Massachusetts generally requires that businesses operating in the state maintain workers compensation insurance if they have employees. This insurance normally provides protection should an employee sustain a workplace injury.

Food trucks that have at least one employee probably need workers compensation. Self-employed owners who have a one-person food truck or food cart might be able to forgo this coverage.

Do food trucks need special insurance when working special events?

Before going to a fair, festival, or other special event, food trucks should first make sure their insurance adequately covers them during the event. 

Many policies won’t require changes for local events, but sometimes changes are needed because of an event’s location or policy’s particulars. For example, food trucks might consider amending their policies with the following:

• Liquor Liability Coverage if adult beverages are being served just for one event.
• Workers Compensation Coverage if an employee is being hired just for one event.
• Temporary Location Coverage if going to an event outside of a policy’s covered territory.
• Cancelation or Interruption Coverage if there’s concern that the event could be canceled or postponed.
• Additional Insured Endorsement if required by the event host to list them as an additional insured.

A knowledgeable insurance agent can review a policy, and explain what changes might be required or wise.

How much does it cost to insure a food truck?

The cost of insuring a food truck can vary substantially. Insurance companies commonly look at the vehicle used, food and beverages served, annual sales, past claims history, chosen protections, and many other details.

An easy way to get custom quotes is to work with an independent insurance agent. Independent agents aren’t obligated to promote any one insurer, but can show policy options from several insurers.

How can mobile food businesses get food truck insurance?

For help insuring a food truck or food cart, contact the independent insurance agents of Garrity Insurance. Our Massachusetts agents will work closely with you to determine coverage needs, and then help you find the best food truck insurance solution based on those needs.