NEXT earned our top spot for the best small business insurer for catering companies due to its excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage. However, we recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including The Hartford, Nationwide and Simply Business.
Best Catering Business Insurance
Updated: July 15, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
NEXT is the best business insurance company for catering firms because it offers the greatest balance of customer service and coverage.
The cheapest overall commercial insurance provider for catering businesses is Thimble, with low monthly rates for various coverage types.
To shop for business insurance for your catering business, assess the risks in your industry, consult agents and other similar organizations, and compare multiple options.
Best Business Insurance for Catering Companies
| NEXT Insurance | 95 | 94 | 94 |
| The Hartford | 93 | 94 | 91 |
| Nationwide | 93 | 93 | 91 |
| Simply Business | 92 | 93 | 83 |
| Thimble | 91 | 98 | 81 |
| Coverdash | 90 | 92 | 83 |
| Chubb | 89 | 88 | 87 |
| Progressive Commercial | 88 | 91 | 81 |
| Hiscox | 88 | 90 | 87 |
| biBERK | 85 | 80 | 91 |
*All scores were based on a catering business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
1. NEXT
pros
Excellent customer service
Fast digital quotes and claims
Competitive BOP and liability pricing
cons
No phone-based agent support
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT is our top pick for catering companies because it combines affordable rates, easy online tools and high customer satisfaction. It ranks near the top in general liability and BOP pricing, while earning a 4.7-star customer review score.
If you're running events on tight schedules and prefer handling everything online, NEXT works well for busy catering operations. While you won’t have a dedicated agent, the online tools are easy to use and responsive.
2. The Hartford
pros
Lowest professional liability rates
Backed by A+ AM Best rating
High customer service score
cons
Less pricing flexibility for BOP bundles
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hartford works well for catering businesses that need solid professional liability coverage. It offers the most affordable rates in this category and maintains a strong overall value across general liability and workers' comp.
Backed by an A+ rating from AM Best, The Hartford is a trusted name in the insurance industry. Its BOP rates cost more than Thimble or NEXT, but The Hartford's reputation and claims reliability make it worth considering for established catering companies.
3. Thimble
pros
Lowest rates across all coverage types
Flexible short-term policy options
Strong affordability score
cons
Online-only customer service
Fewer specialized coverage options
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Thimble beats its competitors on price, ranking cheapest for general liability, workers' comp and BOP insurance. It’s ideal for seasonal caterers or those operating on a tight budget. Thimble is also praised on platforms like Trustpilot, but it lacks phone support and has fewer options for more complex operations. Still, for newer or lean catering businesses, it delivers fast, affordable protection.
Cheapest Business Insurance for Catering Firms
Based on our study of business insurance pricing, Thimble offers the cheapest overall commercial insurance for catering companies across most policy types. However, this applies only to catering companies with two employees, and you may find lower rates elsewhere. Below are the most affordable providers by major coverage types.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance for Catering Companies
With an average monthly rate of $25, Thimble offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for catering companies. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: Nationwide and NEXT.
| Thimble | $25 | $302 |
| Nationwide | $49 | $592 |
| NEXT Insurance | $51 | $613 |
| Simply Business | $57 | $688 |
| The Hartford | $58 | $695 |
| Coverdash | $64 | $766 |
| Progressive Commercial | $70 | $836 |
| Hiscox | $76 | $914 |
| Chubb | $77 | $926 |
| biBERK | $170 | $2,045 |
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for Catering Companies
For catering businesses shopping for workers' comp insurance, Thimble tops our list as the most affordable insurer, with average rates of $32 per month or $378 yearly.
However, you may find more affordable rates with Progressive Commercial, Simply Business, Hiscox and Coverdash.
| Thimble | $32 | $378 |
| Progressive Commercial | $34 | $408 |
| Hiscox | $35 | $422 |
| Simply Business | $35 | $421 |
| Coverdash | $36 | $432 |
| The Hartford | $36 | $429 |
| biBERK | $37 | $445 |
| NEXT Insurance | $37 | $440 |
| Nationwide | $40 | $475 |
| Chubb | $42 | $509 |
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for Catering Companies
The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options for catering companies, with low average monthly rates of $71. You may also want to compare prices from other low-cost providers like NEXT, Progressive Commercial and Thimble.
| The Hartford | $71 | $851 |
| NEXT Insurance | $74 | $889 |
| Progressive Commercial | $75 | $904 |
| Hiscox | $78 | $938 |
| Simply Business | $78 | $936 |
| Thimble | $78 | $938 |
| Coverdash | $79 | $953 |
| biBERK | $81 | $973 |
| Nationwide | $86 | $1,027 |
| Chubb | $92 | $1,107 |
Cheapest BOP Insurance for Catering Companies
Thimble provides the most affordable business owner's policy (BOP) coverage for catering companies, with an average yearly cost of $465 for bundled general liability and property protection. That's a savings of roughly $424 annually compared to The Hartford, the second most affordable option.
| Thimble | $39 | $465 |
| NEXT Insurance | $74 | $891 |
| The Hartford | $74 | $889 |
| Nationwide | $75 | $898 |
| Simply Business | $85 | $1,014 |
| Coverdash | $93 | $1,111 |
| Progressive Commercial | $104 | $1,251 |
| Hiscox | $114 | $1,368 |
| Chubb | $115 | $1,380 |
| biBERK | $220 | $2,643 |
What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a Catering Business?
If you have employees, you'll need workers' comp insurance by law, and any business vehicles require commercial auto coverage. Most clients will want you to have general liability insurance before you start work. Some contracts also require surety bonds, especially when clients need guarantees about your service or compliance.
RECOMMENDED CATERING BUSINESS COVERAGE
General liability insurance is strongly recommended for catering companies because it covers common risks like bodily injury, property damage and legal defense costs. Professional liability insurance is also a smart option for businesses that work under client contracts or provide specialized services. This coverage helps most when you're doing specialized work or handling big contracts where disputes are more likely.
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your Catering Company
Here's how to find the best and cheapest business insurance for your catering company, using our step-by-step method.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before buying
Think about what could go wrong in your catering business, talk to other caterers about their experiences, consult with agents and research the types of business insurance. Understanding risks upfront helps you buy the right coverage without paying for protection you don't need.
- 2
Research costs
Know what you should expect to pay before you start shopping. Look up typical insurance costs for catering businesses your size, then identify which companies offer the lowest rates. This homework gives you negotiating power and helps you spot a good deal.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Check out what real customers say about each insurer on sites like Trustpilot and Google, or browse Reddit threads where business owners share their experiences. While you're at it, dig into each company's coverage options since your business might grow or change.
- 4
Compare multiple quotes through different means
Get quotes from at least three companies, but here's the key: where you get those quotes affects the price. An independent agent might find you a deal that doesn't show up on a company's website. Online comparison tools are quick, but calling insurers directly sometimes unlocks discounts.
- 5
Reassess annually
Your business situation will change, influencing your rates and coverage needs. Repeat these steps annually to ensure you still have the best deal.
How to Decrease Your Catering Business's Liability Risk
Reducing liability risk helps keep your insurance costs down. We've organized practical risk mitigation strategies by business type and risk level to help you find what works for your catering operation.
Catering Business Risk Type | Included Types of Catering Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Full-service caterers with vehicles and event staff | Train employees on safe lifting and food prep, use fire suppression equipment, track all driving activity and vehicle maintenance, document contracts with venues and clients, maintain incident logs |
Moderately High | Mobile catering trailers, event-only or wedding caterers | Confirm venue insurance requirements, review permits and event contracts, secure all equipment in transport, prep backup equipment, carry allergen information on-site |
Moderate | Home-based caterers or small delivery teams | Require food safety certifications (e.g., ServSafe), use temperature logs for food in transit, store client agreements digitally, clarify delivery windows and food care responsibilities |
Moderately Low | Solo caterers with infrequent events | Limit menu complexity, operate in certified kitchens, confirm insurance with event hosts, maintain basic product labeling and storage protocols |
Lowest | Cottage license-based home food sellers | Avoid high-risk ingredients, follow state cottage food labeling rules, use contactless delivery if applicable, insure home kitchen equipment and review state insurance requirements |
Best Insurance for Catering Business: Bottom Line
NEXT is the best insurer for catering business insurance, while Thimble offers the cheapest option overall. We also recommend getting quotes from The Hartford and Nationwide. For the best deal, talk to agents, research providers and pricing and compare multiple quotes side by side.
Catering Business Insurance: FAQ
Here are answers to common questions about catering business insurance. Thimble offers the most affordable plans while NEXT leads in overall satisfaction. Simply Business provides extensive coverage, so it works well if you need comprehensive protection.
Who offers the best catering business insurance overall?
NEXT offers the best business insurance for catering companies with a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100, excelling in customer service. The Hartford closely follows as a strong second.
Who has the cheapest business insurance for catering companies?
Here are the cheapest business insurance companies for catering companies by coverage type:
- Cheapest general liability insurance: Thimble at $25 per month
- Cheapest workers' comp insurance: Thimble at $32 per month
- Cheapest professional liability insurance: The Hartford at $71 per month
- Cheapest BOP insurance: Thimble at $39 per month
What business insurance is required for catering organizations?
Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) and commercial auto insurance (if you own business vehicles) are legally required for catering businesses, with requirements varying by state. While not legally mandated, general liability insurance and surety bonds are effectively required by most commercial clients and property leases.
How much does catering business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs for catering companies vary depending on your operations, number of employees and the equipment you use. Below we've broken down average monthly costs for key policy types:
- General liability: $70 per month
- Workers comp: $36 per month
- Professional liability: $79 per month
- BOP insurance: $90 per month
How We Chose the Best Catering Business Insurance
We selected the best business insurer for catering companies based on the following criteria:
- Affordability (50% of score): The lower a company's costs compared to the competition based on our base profile for four core coverage types, the better it performs.
- Customer service (30% of score): We scored providers on overall customer satisfaction using industry studies, customer review forum ratings and public forum sentiment analysis from sites like Reddit.
- Coverage (15% of score): We scored business insurance for this category based on the flexibility, payment and actual coverage options.
- Financial stability (5% of score): Using financial stability industry ratings from companies like AM Best and Moody's, we created an overall rating to judge how likely a company is to pay out claims compared to the competition.
All pricing in this article is based on the following base profile to represent the vast majority of small businesses in all states:
- Three-person business with two employees
- Coverage: $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total per year for all but BOP, which includes the same coverage plus $5,000 of business property coverage
- $150,000 in payroll
- $300,000 annual revenue
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- AM Best. "Hartford Fire Insurance Company." Accessed June 16, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "Thimble." Accessed June 16, 2025.