Personal Chef Business Insurance
Every personal chef business needs insurance. Knowing which type of insurance you need and the best place to get it is the next step.
This article will cover the main types of business insurance and help you find the best personal chef business insurance.
Recommended: Next Insurance is dedicated to matching small businesses with the right policy at the best price.
Best Insurance for a Personal Chef Business
The most common and comprehensive type of personal chef business insurance is general liability insurance. We recommend general liability insurance as your first line of defense against a variety of the most general and commonly occurring claims.
Some of the risks general liability insurance covers are:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Medical payments
- Legal defense and judgment
- Personal and advertising injury
While a personal chef business isn’t legally required to carry general liability insurance, operating without it is extremely risky. If your personal chef business is sued, you could face fees totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more).
Find the Right Policy at the Best Rate
Using a fully online insurance provider saves time and money and offers the most accurate quotes.
Cost of General Liability Insurance
On average, personal chefs in America spend between $500 - $1,200 per year for $1 million in general liability coverage.
Compare the average cost of general liability insurance for a personal chef business to other professional industries using the graph below:
Several factors will determine the price of your policy. These include your:
- Location
- Deductible
- Number of employees
- Per-occurrence limit
- General aggregate limit
You may be able to acquire general liability insurance at a discounted rate by purchasing it as part of a business owner’s policy (BOP) rather than as a standalone policy.
A BOP is a more comprehensive solution that includes multiple forms of coverage, such as business interruption and property insurance.
Start an Online Quote for Insurance
Finding the most affordable premium starts with getting accurate quotes from highly rated providers.
Common Situations That General Liability Insurance May Cover for a Personal Chef Business
Example 1: While cooking a dish in your client’s kitchen, you accidentally run into a guest and knock her to the ground. She breaks an arm in the fall and demands your business pay for her medical treatment. General liability insurance would cover her medical expenses.
Example 2: As you bring groceries in from your car, you trip over a client’s cat and fall into a large television. General liability insurance would cover the cost of replacing your client’s damaged property.
Example 3: Another personal chef files a lawsuit against you for slander. While you disagree with the accusation, you know you need to hire a lawyer to protect your interests. General liability insurance would pay for your legal defense.
Check out our review of the Best Small Business Insurance Companies.
Other Types of Coverage Personal Chef Businesses Need
While general liability is the most important type of insurance to have, there are several other forms of coverage you should be aware of. Below are some other types of insurance all personal chefs should obtain:
Professional Liability Insurance
While you work hard to satisfy your clients, there’s always a chance someone might decide you made a mistake that caused them injury. If a client sues your business for negligence, professional liability insurance would cover your legal fees and any required settlement.
Product Liability Insurance
While you strive to produce quality products that your clients can enjoy, there’s always a chance someone might decide something you made caused them harm. In the event of a lawsuit, product liability insurance would cover your legal fees and any required settlement.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Any vehicle you use primarily for your personal chef business requires commercial auto insurance to protect the vehicle, driver, and others on the road in the event of an accident. Be sure to select a policy that covers not only accident-related vehicle repair costs and medical treatment for anyone injured but also sufficient protection for any business equipment or supplies you carry in your vehicle.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
While your general liability insurance policy covers most claims, some accidents or lawsuits may be so catastrophic that they threaten to exhaust the limits of your primary coverage. Commercial umbrella insurance protects you from paying out-of-pocket for any legal fees and awarded damages that exceed your primary policy.
Additional Steps To Protect Your Business
Although it’s easy (and essential) to invest in business insurance, it shouldn’t be your only defense.
Here are several things you can do to better protect your personal chef business:
- Use legally robust contracts and other business documents. (We offer free templates for some of the most common legal forms.)
- Set up an LLC or corporation to protect your personal assets. (Visit our step-by-step guides to learn how to form an LLC or corporation in your state.)
- Stay up to date with business licensing.
- Maintain your corporate veil.
Business Insurance Is the Best Way to Protect Your Business
If you're starting a new business, then you need business insurance. It's as simple as that. The protection offered by an LLC will protect your personal assets, but your business's assets are still open to liability in the case of a lawsuit or other loss.
Be sure that everything you've built is safe by getting business insurance.
Personal Chef Business Insurance FAQ
Can I buy business insurance online for my personal chef business?
Yes, absolutely. You will need to first get a quote from an online business insurance provider like Next Insurance. Next allows you to then purchase a policy immediately and your coverage will be active within 48 hours.
What is included in a business owner’s policy?
A typical business owner’s policy includes general liability, business interruption, and commercial property insurance. However, BOPs are often customizable, so your agent may recommend adding professional liability, commercial auto, or other types of coverage to your package depending on your company’s needs.
What is the difference between business insurance and general liability insurance?
"Business insurance" is a generic term used to describe many different types of coverage a business may need. General liability insurance, on the other hand, is a specific type of coverage that business owners need to protect their assets.
Do I need insurance before I start a personal chef business?
You should invest in business insurance coverage for your business before your first interaction with a customer. Although the cost of insurance may seem high for a brand new business, it’s best to be proactive when it comes to protecting your assets. After all, you can’t buy insurance to cover a loss that has already occurred.
Will insurance protect my personal chef business from everything?
Not necessarily. Certain exceptions may be written directly into your personal chef business insurance policy, and some perils may be entirely uninsurable.
Is general liability the same as business owners?
A general liability insurance policy covers only liability losses. A business owner's policy covers both liability and property losses.
How do I choose the best general liability insurance?
The best general liability coverage for your business really depends on the amount of coverage you’re comfortable with and how often you expect to file a claim. A relatively safe business with a very low risk of accident or legal liability could opt for lower premiums with higher deductibles.
However, if you are in an accident or injury-prone industry or are making advertising claims about the effectiveness of your service or product, you may wish to consider more extensive coverage. We recommend using a digital insurance provider like Next Insurance.
Do I need business insurance if I already have an LLC?
Yes, an LLC is meant to create a legal barrier between your business and your personal assets and credit. If you haven’t formed an LLC yet, use our Form an LLC guide to get started.
An LLC doesn’t protect your business assets from lawsuits and liability– that’s where business insurance comes in. Business insurance helps protect your business from liability and risk.