Catering Market Trader Insurance
Request A QuoteWhat is market traders insurance?
It’s a type of catering business insurance designed to protect you, your business, and the products you sell. Catering market trader insurance covers market stall traders and those selling at craft fairs, festivals, and exhibitions, whether operating from a stall or a van.
What insurance do I need as a market trader?
When you’re a market trader, you operate in a bustling environment surrounded by many members of the public, so it’s important to anticipate potential risks and be prepared for the unexpected.
Your stall might collapse, causing injury to a passer-by. A product you sell could malfunction and harm a customer, or a handmade cosmetic might trigger an allergic reaction. Additionally, your stock could be stolen or damaged.
Market traders’ insurance provides financial protection against these types of incidents and more, helping you safeguard your business and livelihood.
What types of businesses does market traders insurance cover?
There are several businesses that would be covered by market traders insurance however, we only cover those that provide catering.
Market stallholders
Market stallholders typically operate from fixed or semi-permanent stalls within outdoor or indoor markets. These traders often sell a variety of food items ranging from freshly prepared meals to packaged snacks, catering to a wide customer base.
Their insurance needs generally include coverage for public liability, product liability, and stock protection to safeguard against potential claims and losses that may arise during daily trading.
Food and drinks vans
Food and drinks vans are mobile catering units that serve food and beverages at various locations such as markets, festivals, and events. Due to their mobility and the nature of their business, these traders require specialised insurance policies that cover vehicle-related risks alongside standard market traders insurance. This includes vehicle insurance, equipment cover for cooking appliances, and liability protection to cover incidents related to food safety and customer interactions.
Artists and crafters
While primarily focused on catering businesses, some artists and crafters who provide edible goods or food-related crafts at markets may also be covered. These traders often sell handmade food items like baked goods, preserves, or confectionery.
Insurance for these traders typically includes product liability cover to protect against claims arising from the consumption of their products, as well as public liability insurance.
Event and festival traders
Event and festival traders operate at temporary events, fairs, and festivals, offering catering services to large crowds. Their insurance requirements can be more complex due to the dynamic nature of events, including the need for cancellation cover in case an event is called off unexpectedly.
These traders often require coverage for specialist equipment used in temporary setups, as well as business interruption insurance to protect against loss of income during unforeseen disruptions.
What types of business insurance do market traders need?
Whether you're selling sandwiches to students on the street, hot soups at an indoor food market, burgers to hungry festival goers or have a regular slot delivering great food to famished families at your local farmer's market, you'll need insurance.
But what kind of catering insurance policies should you be looking for as a market trader? Well, some are legally required while others are just a very good idea. Here's a list of the most common caterers' insurance cover options taken out by market traders.
Public liability insurance*
What happens if someone trips over a wire trailing from your stall and sues you? Or your stall collapses and causes accidental damage to someone's car? A public liability policy will come to your aid.
Product liability insurance*
A great insurance option to guard against legal claims if, for example, someone falls ill with food poisoning or has an allergic reaction to something they ate from your market stall.
Falling foul of the law and attracting claims can really affect your bottom line and your reputation, so it's wise to insure your business so you don't end up paying extra costs.
Employers liability insurance*
If you employ people, then you're legally required to have this type of insurance. Check your existing policy to make sure you're covered for an injury or illness caused to an employee.
Stock insurance
Damage caused to your market stall stock could seriously affect your ability to trade. Stock cover will mean you won't be stuck with nothing to sell and no cash to buy replacement supplies.
Here at Mobilers, this coverage is only sold alongside commercial combined insurance or catering trailer insurance and not sold as a standalone policy.
Legal cover
Taking legal action when you're in a dispute with a supplier or customer can be an expensive business without insurance. Here at Mobilers, legal expenses cover can be sold on its own or as an add-on to a vehicle policy. However, if you purchase a liability policy, it will be included within it's coverage.
Personal accident insurance
If you, or anyone else covered by the policy, suffers a serious injury that prevents them from working, personal accident cover may provide financial support by covering lost income and medical expenses.
Vehicle insurance
A mobile caterer requires a reliable vehicle to transport you and your business equipment around to reach all those customers. Protect your car or van with vehicle insurance from a specialist who understands mobile catering's unique risks.
Business and office equipment insurance
And what about business essentials like chef's knives, food mixers and work laptops and tablets? Do you employees have business devices? You might want to cover these, too.
Business interruption insurance
If something happens and you can't trade, then business interruption cover may help in tying you over until you can get back on track. Here at Mobilers, this coverage is only sold alongside commercial combined insurance and not sold as a standalone policy.
Generator cover
An important part of keeping a catering market stall running, this is an essential and expensive piece of kit that's well worth insuring. Here at Mobilers, generator cover is covered when you take out a commercial combined policy.
Theft of takings cover
Market stalls can be a target for opportunistic thieves as they know you'll probably be carrying a decent amount of cash, particularly after a big event.
Money cover could come to the rescue if your takings are targeted by criminals. We sell this cover alongside our commercial combined insurance policy.
*Here at Mobilers, we only offer two liability options which are Public & Product Liability Insurance or Public, Product & Employers Liability Insurance
What isn't covered by market traders insurance?
A typical catering market traders’ insurance policy usually includes public and product liability insurance as standard. However, to obtain more comprehensive protection, you may need to add optional extras to tailor your policy to your specific needs.
Common exclusions in a market traders’ insurance policy include:
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Wear and tear to stock or business equipment, or damage resulting from negligence—for example, storing stock in unsafe or unsuitable conditions like a damp warehouse, or transporting it without proper protection.
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Trading without a valid licence. You must hold an up-to-date market trader or street seller’s licence issued by your local council to be covered.
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Insurance for your business van is not included; if you use a van to transport goods and stock, a separate commercial van insurance policy is required.
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Theft without evidence of forced entry. If stock is stolen due to inadequate security measures, such as forgetting to lock up, the loss will not be covered.
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Loss of earnings if you sell little or no products at a venue.
Why choose Mobilers for catering market trader insurance?
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Over 20+ years' experience working with catering businesses and insurers
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Quotes in minutes
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Instant cover available
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Exclusive products and schemes not available elsewhere
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Tailored cover perfect for you
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Three liability insurance options to choose from: employer's liability insurance, public liability insurance and products liability insurance
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Flexible payment options for our customers
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Chosen by thousands of traders and market stall holders across the UK to protect their businesses
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Friendly and knowledgeable specialist support just a phone call away
As a catering market trader/ market stall holder, you want to keep your market stall open for business for all your regulars and newcomers.
The insurance we arrange for a mobile catering business, offers 12-month policies, with instant cover available. To speak to one of our friendly operatives call
To speak to one of our friendly operatives call
Frequently asked questions
While operating a catering business within the market trade, having insurance is not only a smart business move but, in many cases, it is also a legal requirement. Market trader insurance cover can protect you from unexpected events such as customer injuries, property damage, or other liabilities that could potentially lead to significant financial loss. Therefore, it is not only about fulfilling a legal obligation; it’s about safeguarding your livelihood and reputation in the market.
If your mobile catering business also offers alcohol, you can be assured you can still get coverage. Operating a mobile catering business that offers alcohol comes with its own set of unique risks and challenges.That's why it's important to have a insurance plan in place that covers all aspects such as your alcohol service.
We understand that each mobile catering business is unique and has its own set of specific requirements. That's why we offer tailored cover to meet your individual needs.
Whether you're a food truck at festivals or a coffee cart at corporate events, Mobilers can provide coverage that can be tailored for your unique operation.
Starting your own food or mobile coffee business as a market trader is a popular way to get into the catering world. But while the rewards can be substantial there are also many challenges that you'll need to face along the way.
A market stall business is the perfect place from which to sell food. But from protecting your business premises from property damage to defending a potential action arising from a food poisoning incident, there's a whole range of risks you might need caterers' insurance to cover you for.
While you're not under a legal responsibility to take out public liability insurance, many local councils or market organisers will require you to have it. Here at Mobilers, our policies can be increased to provide £10 million of public liability insurance cover if stipulated under contract or regulatory requirements.
The last thing any mobile catering professional wants is to give their customers food poisoning. Product liability insurance covers you for the financial fall-out if something you sell causes damage or illness to a customer.
If you employ people then, yes, you are legally obliged to take out employer's liability insurance. And that's the case even if they work part-time or are a member of your family. If you don't have valid employer's liability insurance then you can be fined £2,500 for every day you're not properly insured.
There's no one-price-fits all when it comes to catering insurance cost. The catering insurance cost will vary depending on your specific business needs.
Mobilers will want to know many staff you have, where you operate, if you're involved in any other business activities and what kinds of business equipment you operate in order to search for our most competitive quotes.
Call one of our friendly team members today on 01384 429 901 or request an insurance quote on our callback form. They'll be sure to come up with a market traders insurance policy that's just right for you.
Finding the best value insurance is straightforward if you follow these five top tips.
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Shop around. Different insurers assess risks differently so you'll want to compare prices from several companies. Whether you're looking for public and product liability or employer's liability cover, Mobilers can help.
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Speak to the specialists. Comparing insurance quotes takes time – time that you could be spending on your business. Let the team at Mobilers do the hard work for you.
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Never simply renew. Always speak to Mobilers to see if you're getting the best deal on insurance policies.
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Look for tailored cover. If you want the best value insurance then you'll want a catering insurance policy that most closely suits your exact business needs.
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Check the small print. Some caterers' insurance might only provide the minimum level of cover. Always read your policy to make sure you understand what's covered and what's not.
Yes, to legally operate as a market trader, you need to obtain a licence from your local council. This licence may be specifically termed a market stall licence or a street trader licence, depending on your trading setup and location.
Holding a valid licence ensures you comply with local regulations and can trade without the risk of fines or prosecution. For those selling food or beverages, additional registrations with environmental health departments are typically required to meet health and safety standards.
While not always a legal requirement, it is highly advisable for sole traders to have market traders insurance. Operating without insurance leaves you personally liable for any claims arising from injury or property damage related to your business activities.
Personal accident insurance maybe able to cover multiple individuals associated with your business, depending on the policy terms. This coverage provides financial support if you or any covered person suffers a serious injury or illness that prevents them from working.
Yes, if you employ anyone on a casual or permanent basis, it is a legal requirement to have employers' liability insurance. This insurance protects you against claims arising from injuries or illnesses sustained by your employees while working for you. Failure to hold valid employers' liability insurance can lead to substantial fines and legal consequences.
Pop-up businesses, including temporary market stalls and short-term trading events, maybe covered under market traders insurance policies. However, it’s important to check with your insurance provider if this type of business can be covered and to ensure your pop-up business is adequately covered for the duration and nature of your trading activities.