If someone gets food poisoning from your burger, trips over your cable, or a member of the public gets hurt near your setup, you could be facing a compensation claim that runs into thousands. Liability insurance is what stands between you and a bill that could finish your business before it’s properly started. Here’s what you actually need.
Public liability insurance (PLI)
Public liability is the big one. It protects you when a member of the public is injured, or their property is damaged, because of your business. A customer slips on a wet patch by your serving hatch. A child burns their hand on a hot counter. Someone trips over a power cable and breaks a wrist. Any of these can become a compensation claim — and PLI is what pays it, rather than you.
Most councils and event organisers want to see £5 million of cover as standard; bigger festivals and events often ask for £10 million. For a sole trader, PLI usually costs £150–£300 a year. You almost certainly won’t get a street trading licence or an event booking without it.
Product liability insurance
Product liability covers illness or injury caused by something you sold. In mobile catering the big risks are food poisoning, allergic reactions, and foreign objects in food — think undercooked chicken that puts someone in hospital, or nut cross-contamination triggering a serious allergic reaction.
The good news: most policies bundle product liability in with your public liability cover, so you get both together. Don’t assume, though — check your documents and confirm product liability is actually included, because food poisoning is claimed under product liability, not public liability.
Employers’ liability insurance
If you have anyone working for you — even one person, even part-time, even casual staff who help out at the odd event — you are legally required to hold employers’ liability insurance. It covers claims from staff who are injured or made ill through their work: a fryer burn, a slip on a greasy floor, a back injury from lifting equipment.
The legal minimum is £5 million, though £10 million is the usual standard. Trading without it when you should have it is expensive: fines can reach £2,500 for every single day you’re not insured. The one exception — a sole trader working completely alone, with no staff or helpers at all — doesn’t need it.
Do I really need all three?
It depends on how you trade:
- Working completely alone? Public liability + product liability is your minimum.
- Got any staff or helpers — even occasional? All three, including employers’ liability, by law.
Remember the gatekeepers too: councils typically won’t issue a street trading licence without proof of public liability, and event organisers will ask to see it before they book you. In practice, cover isn’t just protection — it’s your ticket to trade.
What liability insurance does not cover
Liability insurance protects you against third-party claims — other people’s injuries and property. It does not cover:
- Damage to your own van, equipment or stock (that’s separate van/contents/business-equipment cover).
- Deliberate acts or criminal behaviour.
And a crucial catch: if an EHO finds you’ve been ignoring food safety rules and someone gets ill as a result, your insurer may refuse the claim. Cover is not a substitute for running a clean, compliant operation — it sits on top of it.
Real-world claims: what actually happens
The claims that hit mobile caterers usually aren’t dramatic. They’re a customer tripping over a guy rope, a child touching a hot surface, or someone claiming a dodgy stomach after eating at the van. Mundane — but costly.
And here’s the part people forget: even if a claim goes nowhere, the legal costs of defending yourself can run into thousands. Your insurer handling that defence is a big part of what you’re paying for.
How much does liability insurance cost?
Less than most people expect — and far less than one claim. Rough UK guide:
| Cover | Who needs it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Public + product liability | Everyone (your minimum) | £150–£300 / year (£5m cover) |
| Full package incl. employers’ liability | Anyone with staff or helpers (legal requirement) | £250–£500 / year |
What pushes the premium up or down: your cooking type (deep frying costs more to insure), your trading location, how often you do busy events, and your claims history. Shop around — get at least three quotes from specialist catering insurers. A broker who knows the mobile catering trade will usually beat going direct to a single insurer.
Got a specific cover question? Browse the Insurance & Liability Q&A where other UK caterers have asked theirs.
Never scramble for your certificate again
When the event organiser or the EHO asks for proof of insurance, the caterer who looks professional is the one who taps twice and shows it. The app’s Document Wallet keeps your insurance, gas safety certificate and registration together on your phone, stored safely, ready anywhere.
See the Document WalletWallet Lite comes with the Toolkit · the app starts free, no card needed
Frequently asked questions
Do I need public liability insurance for a market stall?
Almost always, yes. Most market organisers require proof of public liability insurance before they’ll let you trade. Even where it isn’t required, it’s strongly recommended — one claim could otherwise finish your business.
Does public liability cover food poisoning?
Food poisoning claims are typically covered under product liability, not public liability — which is why you need both. Most policies bundle them together, but check your documents to make sure product liability is included.
Do I need employers’ liability for family members who help out?
If they’re working for you in any capacity, yes. The only exception is a close family member who lives with you and works in the business. The rules are specific, so confirm with your insurer.
What happens if I don’t have liability insurance?
You’d pay everything out of your own pocket — legal fees and compensation. Trading without employers’ liability when you need it carries a fine of up to £2,500 for every day you’re uninsured, and most councils and event organisers won’t let you trade without proof of cover anyway.
Can I get liability insurance if I’m just starting out?
Yes. You don’t need any trading history — insurers cover brand-new mobile catering businesses every day. Your first-year premium might be slightly higher with no claims history, but it’s still affordable and essential from day one.