Catering Business Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a catering business business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for off-premises caterers. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against alcohol, on-site cooking, and event size.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial General Liability (incl. Products) | Covers foodborne illness and allergic reactions at events. | Core | |
| Liquor Liability | Needed if the caterer serves or sells alcohol. | Situational | |
| Commercial Auto / Hired & Non-Owned | Covers delivery vans and staff driving to events. | Core | |
| Inland Marine / Equipment | Covers chafers, burners, and equipment at venues. | Prevalent | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed exposure for this class is an event outbreak. Catered food often travels for hours and sits on buffets, and one temperature or allergen error can sicken hundreds of guests at a wedding or conference. Caterers should log transport and holding temperatures, collect allergies before every event, and confirm products coverage limits reflect their largest events.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your catering business coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Catering Business Insurance · Catering Business Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a catering business business need?
The core coverages for a catering business business are Commercial General Liability (incl. Products), Commercial Auto / Hired & Non-Owned, Workers' Compensation. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my catering business coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.