When you earn your living serving food to the general public, you’re exposed to a whole range of different risks. There’s the possibility a customer will suffer an allergic reaction, or that a piece of undercooked chicken will cause a serve stomach upset. Then there’s the possibility of injury to staff working with vats of bubbling oil, razor-sharp knives, and roaring open fires.
It’s essential that you perform regular risk assessments, and make sure that you take health and safety as seriously as possible. Just one lapse, after all, could ruin your reputation. But it’s also worth giving yourself protection against the various kinds of risk, with the help of a select few insurance products.
Let’s look at the various kinds of insurance that caterers might be interested in – whether you’re running a restaurant with fixed premises or a mobile service for weddings and corporate functions.
Employer Liability
Employer liability insurance is a legal requirement. It will protect your employees against harm done to them in the course of their duties. So, if the person operating your chip-pan should suffer a burn, they’ll be covered for medical costs, and you’ll be covered while they make their recovery. Check the policy you’re taking out to see whether you’re covered.
Public and Product Liability Insurance
This is what will protect you against liability when the general public are harmed by your activities. This means not only protecting paying diners, but any member of the public who might happen to be injured while on your premises. If you’re working mobile, then there’s still a not-insignificant risk that your activities might inadvertently inflict harm on others
Vehicle Insurance
If you’re running a food van, or a takeaway that does delivery, then you need to insure your vehicles. This is a legal requirement on British roads. In some cases, you might look to outsource the delivering, or use your driver’s own private insurance. Make sure that they are covered when using their vehicles for business purposes. If you’re insuring several drivers or vehicles, then you might insure them under a single car insurance policy.
Buildings and Contents Insurance
This is what will protect your premises against theft or fire damage – with the latter being particularly concerning when you’re running a commercial kitchen. Your insurance might extend to replacing damaging fixings and equipment. Note that you’ll need to take reasonable measures to limit the risk of fire, as well as insuring against it.
