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Food truck insurance
Food truck insurance covers the truck, the kitchen in it and the people you serve. Councils, markets and event organisers ask for public liability before you trade. Compare public liability online, and add the truck and your equipment in the same request.
- Public liability councils and markets ask for
- The truck and the kitchen in the same request
- No phone number needed to request quotes
What insurance does a food truck need?
Public liability first, because permits depend on it. It covers injury to customers and damage to property, including claims from food you sell, under the products liability section. Commercial motor covers the truck on the road. A business pack covers the kitchen fit-out, stock and equipment against fire, theft and damage, and can add business interruption if a fire keeps you off the road.
Councils set the limit. The City of Darwin’s street food permit conditions, for example, say the permit holder must maintain a public liability insurance policy of at least $20 million per occurrence. Check your own council’s conditions before you buy.
Food truck covers at a glance
| Cover | What it does | How you get it |
|---|---|---|
| Public liability | Injury to customers and damage to property, including claims from the food you sell. Councils and events often ask for $10 million or $20 million. | Compare online |
| Commercial vehicle | The truck or trailer on the road, including damage to other vehicles. | Compare online |
| Business insurance pack | The kitchen fit-out, stock, equipment and glass, with business interruption as an option. | Compare online |
| Workers compensation | Compulsory once you employ staff, through your state scheme. | Arranged by a broker |
A trailer towed behind a ute is usually insured under the business pack or a separate trailer section, while the ute is insured as a commercial vehicle. Tell us which setup you run.
Permits, markets and events
Every council has its own mobile food vending permit, and each one names the public liability limit and asks for a certificate of currency. Markets and festivals add their own conditions on top, and larger events often ask for the organiser to be noted as an interested party on your policy. Keep a current certificate ready so a permit application never waits on your insurer.
Gas, deep fryers and generators matter to insurers. Expect questions about your gas compliance certificate, how fuel is stored and whether the truck is left unattended overnight.
What’s usually covered, and what isn’t
Usually covered
- Injury to customers and damage to property, under public liability.
- Food you sell, under the products liability section.
- The truck on the road, under commercial motor.
- Kitchen equipment and stock, under a business pack.
Usually not covered
- Spoiled stock after a fridge failure, unless you add deterioration of stock.
- Your own injury. That’s personal accident cover.
- Staff injuries. That’s workers compensation.
- Fines for trading without a permit.
How to compare food truck insurance
Food truck insurance questions
How much public liability does a food truck need?
Your council sets it. The City of Darwin asks street food permit holders for at least $20 million per occurrence. Other councils and events commonly ask for $10 million or $20 million. Match the highest limit you’ll be asked for.
Does public liability cover food poisoning claims?
Claims from the food you sell fall under the products liability section of a public and products liability policy. Check the PDS for conditions about food handling and storage.
Is my food truck covered under a private car policy?
Usually not. A fitted-out truck used for trading is a commercial vehicle. Insure it on a commercial motor policy and insure the kitchen under a business pack.
Do markets ask for a certificate of currency?
Almost always. The certificate shows your cover, limit and dates. Ask the broker for one when the policy starts.
Can I compare food truck insurance online?
Yes. Public liability, commercial motor and a business pack can be compared online in one request. Workers compensation is arranged by a broker once you employ staff.
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