Food trucks present unique insurance challenges. You're a mobile restaurant, which means your location changes constantly, your operations vary by venue, and you face both general liability and auto liability exposures. Understanding how to properly insure a food truck operation ensures you're covered wherever you go.
The Unique Risk Profile of Food Trucks
Food trucks differ from brick-and-mortar restaurants in several ways that affect insurance:
- Mobile operations: Your location changes daily, creating variable premises exposures
- Vehicle exposure: The truck itself is both a vehicle and a commercial kitchen
- Multiple venues: Events, private property, public streets all have different requirements
- Equipment in motion: Commercial cooking equipment moving on roads creates additional risks
- Limited space: Fire and injury risks heightened in confined cooking areas
- Commissary relationships: Where you prep food may require separate coverage
Insurance Coverage for Food Trucks
A properly insured food truck needs several types of coverage:
1. General Liability
Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage from your operations:
- Customer injuries (burns, slip and falls at your truck)
- Food-related illness (food poisoning, allergic reactions)
- Property damage at event venues
- Products liability for food you sell
2. Commercial Auto Insurance
Covers the food truck as a vehicle:
- Auto liability for accidents while driving
- Physical damage to the truck itself
- Medical payments for injured parties
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Important: Personal auto insurance won't cover a commercial vehicle. You need commercial auto specifically.
3. Property Insurance
Covers your equipment and inventory:
- Cooking equipment built into the truck
- Portable equipment and supplies
- Food inventory
- Point-of-sale systems and electronics
Note: Commercial auto covers the truck itself, but not contents. You need inland marine or business personal property coverage for equipment and inventory.
Event and Venue Requirements
Every event you attend may have different insurance requirements:
- Minimum GL limits: Usually $1 million per occurrence, sometimes $2 million
- Additional insured status: Event organizers, property owners, cities require being named
- Auto insurance proof: Venues want to see commercial auto coverage
- Workers' compensation: Required if you have employees
Certificate Management
Food trucks often need multiple certificates of insurance each month as they move between venues. At Anchor, we provide rapid certificate turnaround and can add additional insureds quickly to keep your schedule on track.
Common Food Truck Claims
Customer Burns
Hot equipment in close proximity to customers creates burn risks. Grease splatter, contact with cooking surfaces, and hot food/beverage spills are common claims.
Slip and Falls
The area around your truck - often unpaved, wet, or crowded - creates trip and slip hazards. You're responsible for keeping your immediate service area reasonably safe.
Food Illness
Limited refrigeration, mobile operations, and challenging conditions can increase food safety risks. Temperature control and sanitation are critical.
Property Damage at Venues
Grease spills on pavement, generator exhaust staining walls, or equipment damaging venue property are common liability claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use personal auto insurance for my food truck?
No. Personal auto policies exclude commercial vehicles and business use. You need a commercial auto policy rated for a food truck. Operating without proper coverage puts your assets at risk and likely violates your permits.
What if I rent a food truck for an event?
If you're renting a truck, you need to verify insurance carefully. The truck owner should have commercial auto and GL. You may also need your own GL policy for your operations. Make sure there are no gaps - get everything in writing.
Do I need separate coverage for my commissary location?
If you prep food at a commissary kitchen, that location needs coverage. Some commissaries include coverage in their rental fees. If not, your GL policy should extend to the commissary. Review your policy and lease carefully.