A food truck isn't quite a restaurant, in the traditional sense. But, it's more than just a business on wheels. When it comes to liability, you need to consider that customers might get sick from what you serve if it is undercooked. It is very different from a delivery business, and you're going to need more than business insurance to cover it. So, what does an insurance package look like for someone who sells burritos, coffee or hamburgers out the back of a truck?

Case By Case

Because of the nature of the food truck business, insurers tend to consider coverage on a case by case basis. A dozen restaurants might have identical restaurant insurance plans. But there are almost as many different types of cuisines as there are food trucks. Some trucks may only sell pre-packaged snacks and beverages, while others may have a full kitchen set up in the back. Still others may only serve items already prepared at home, coffee poured into carafes or premade sandwiches. A food truck might contain $10,000 of cooking equipment — including propane tanks and stoves — or it might contain nothing but a mini-fridge. Likewise, the liability concerns will vary from truck to truck.

So, can you get all of that taken care of with a restaurant insurance policy?

Not exactly.

If you own a restaurant, your policy may extend some coverage to your food truck, so long as you keep your insurer informed that you have expanded to the food truck business. But your best bet is going to be to look at food truck insurance. This will be a plan combining features from business, restaurant and commercial auto policies, but designed specifically for the needs of a food truck.

If you own a restaurant, you may be able to talk to your insurer about expanding your coverage with a food truck policy. Otherwise, make sure to talk to your insurer about precisely why you invested in such a large truck before signing up for a standard commercial auto package.

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