Insurance Requirements · United States · 2026
Do caterers need insurance?
Yes — in nearly every U.S. state. Most states require licensed caterers to carry Commercial Auto, General Liability, Workers' Compensation before they can operate. Here's what to buy, what it costs, and which carriers serve the trade.
01
Coverage checklist
| Coverage | Requirement | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial AutoCA | Required | $1200.00–$2800.00/yr |
| General LiabilityGL | Required | $500.00–$1500.00/yr |
| Workers' CompensationWC | Required | $1800.00–$5000.00/yr |
| Commercial PropertyCP | Recommended | $800.00–$3000.00/yr |
| Inland Marine / Tools & EquipmentIM | Recommended | $300.00–$900.00/yr |
| Business Owner's PolicyBOP | Optional | $800.00–$2200.00/yr |
| Professional Liability / E&OPL/E&O | Optional | $400.00–$1000.00/yr |
SOURCE · National carrier filings · BLS labor statistics · Updated 2026
02
Cost breakdown
Commercial Auto
$1200.00–$2800.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Catering vehicles
- ·Driving radius
Required for catering vehicles transporting food and equipment.
General Liability
$500.00–$1500.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Events served
- ·Revenue
- ·Alcohol service
Required by nearly every venue before a caterer can operate on site.
Workers' Compensation
$1800.00–$5000.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Payroll
- ·Crew size
Required once you have employees; burns, slips, and lifting are common.
Commercial Property
$800.00–$3000.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Kitchen/commissary value
- ·Equipment
Covers your commercial kitchen and equipment.
Inland Marine / Tools & Equipment
$300.00–$900.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Portable equipment value
Covers serving equipment and chafing/dishware used off-site.
Business Owner's Policy
$800.00–$2200.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Kitchen ownership
If you own/lease a commercial kitchen.
Professional Liability / E&O
$400.00–$1000.00/yr
Cost factors
- ·Allergen claims
Relevant for allergen and food-safety claims.
03
Best carriers for caterer
Embroker
AM Best: A
professional-liabilitygeneral-liabilityworkers-compensationcyber-liability
Hiscox
AM Best: A
professional-liabilitygeneral-liabilitycyber-liabilitybusiness-owners-policy
NEXT Insurance
AM Best: A-
general-liabilityworkers-compensationcommercial-autobusiness-owners-policy
Simply Business
AM Best: A
general-liabilityprofessional-liabilityworkers-compensationcommercial-auto
Thimble
AM Best: A
general-liabilitycommercial-autoinland-marineworkers-compensation
04
Requirements by state
| State | Coverage | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Alaska | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Arizona | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Arkansas | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| California | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Colorado | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Connecticut | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Delaware | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| District of Columbia | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Florida | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Georgia | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Hawaii | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Idaho | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Illinois | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Indiana | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Iowa | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Kansas | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Kentucky | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Louisiana | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Maine | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Maryland | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Massachusetts | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Michigan | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Minnesota | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Mississippi | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Missouri | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Montana | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Nebraska | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Nevada | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| New Hampshire | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| New Jersey | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| New Mexico | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| New York | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| North Carolina | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| North Dakota | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
| Ohio | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
| Oklahoma | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Oregon | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Pennsylvania | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Rhode Island | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| South Carolina | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| South Dakota | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Tennessee | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Texas | Workers' Compensation | Optional | Statutory — Texas is the only state where workers' comp is optional for private employers. |
| Utah | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Vermont | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Virginia | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Washington | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
| West Virginia | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Wisconsin | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Required once you have W-2 employees; statutory limits apply. |
| Wyoming | Workers' Compensation | Required | Statutory — Workers' comp is purchased through the state fund (monopolistic state). |
05
Frequently asked questions
Do caterers need insurance?+
Yes. Nearly every venue requires caterers to show a certificate of general liability insurance before operating on site, and workers' comp is required once you have employees.
How much does caterer insurance cost?+
General liability runs $500–$1,500 per year (higher with alcohol service), commercial auto $1,200–$2,800 per vehicle, and workers' comp $1,800–$5,000 depending on payroll.
Do I need liquor liability coverage?+
If you serve alcohol, many venues require liquor liability (often added via endorsement to general liability). Standard GL may exclude alcohol-related claims.
06
Related professions
Other food & beverage businesses
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