Catering Insurance in Tennessee

Common risks for caterers

• Foodborne illness or allergy claims at an event
• Damage to venue floors, linens, or equipment
• Accidents while transporting food and equipment
• Burns from chafing fuel and portable burners
• Alcohol service at weddings and parties

Coverages caterers often consider

• General liability Helps if your business is blamed for injuring someone or damaging their property, and usually pays for a legal defense.
• Liquor liability If you serve alcohol, even at a hosted event, ask about liquor liability.
• Hired and non-owned auto Liability for when you or employees drive personal or rented cars on business errands.
• Commercial auto Covers vehicles used for the business. Personal car insurance policies often exclude or limit business use.
• Tools and equipment (inland marine) Chafers, warmers, and portable equipment moving between venues can be covered.
• Workers’ compensation Pays medical bills and lost wages if an employee is hurt on the job, and includes employer’s liability.

Not every business needs every coverage. The right mix depends on your work, your contracts, and your budget. All coverage is subject to underwriting and the terms of the policy.

What a claim could look like

For example, imagine a guest at a barn wedding in Lebanon has a serious allergic reaction to a dish that wasn’t labeled clearly. They may claim medical costs against your business. A claim like that would often go to general liability, depending on the facts and policy terms.

This is a hypothetical example for education only. Whether any claim is covered depends on the facts and your policy terms.

Tennessee rules to know

Workers’ comp. Most Tennessee employers outside construction and coal mining must carry workers’ compensation once they have five or more employees, full- or part-time, per the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Even below that number, many owners choose to carry it.

Alcohol sales. If you sell or serve alcohol, you’ll need the right state and local permits. Landlords, event venues, and some permits may also expect proof of liquor liability coverage, so ask before you sign.

We can review your requirements and help you shop workers’ compensation and the other coverages above with carriers that write caterers, subject to underwriting.

Certificates of insurance

Venues commonly require caterers to name them as additional insured. Keep a list of the venues you work with so renewals go out on time.

A certificate of insurance shows your coverage on the day it’s issued. If a contract asks for additional insured status or a waiver of subrogation, the policy usually needs an endorsement, not just a line on the certificate. Our certificate of insurance checklist walks through what to check.

What affects the cost

• The type of work you do and how it’s classified
• Annual revenue and payroll
• Number of employees and any subcontractors
• Where you work and the value of your equipment or property
• The limits and deductibles you choose
• Your claims history and years in business

We can’t promise a price ahead of time, but we can compare options and explain the trade-offs in plain English.

How Eric can help caterers

Restaurants, trucks, and caterers serving Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Mt. Juliet often need certificates for festivals, venues, and landlords. As an independent agent affiliated with Hutsenpiller Insurance, Eric can review what you have, read your contract requirements with you, and help you shop options with more than one carrier. See how an independent agent works for you.

Related guides

• Food and Beverage Business Insurance in Tennessee
• All business types we can help
• Business insurance in Middle Tennessee
• General liability insurance
• Commercial auto insurance
• Certificates and additional insureds explained
• What drives commercial auto costs
• Small business insurance checklist (PDF)
• Certificate of insurance checklist (PDF)