Restaurants & Food Trucks: Insurance Tips for a Safe (and Sizzling) Summer

Serving Orange County, NY and surrounding areas

Whether you're running a year-round restaurant or firing up your food truck for the summer, this season comes with unique risks that your insurance policy needs to keep up with. Between pop-up events, summer hires, and fire hazards, it’s critical to ensure you’re fully protected before the lunch rush hits.

1. Seasonal Staff = Seasonal Liability

If you hire part-time or temporary workers during the summer, you may still be responsible for injuries—even if they’re not full-time employees. Workers’ compensation coverage is required in New York for most businesses, and failing to carry the right policy can lead to penalties and out-of-pocket claims.

What to do: Review your staffing model to make sure every worker, including seasonal hires, is accounted for under your workers’ comp and liability policies.

2. Fire Hazards Are Everywhere

Grills, fryers, propane tanks, and summer heat can spell disaster without proper fire prevention and protection. A single fire incident can lead to massive repair costs or even the loss of your mobile kitchen.

What to do: Make sure your property insurance includes fire coverage—especially if you’re operating a food truck or pop-up tent with combustible equipment.

3. Special Events and Pop-Up Risks

Farmers markets, festivals, and catering gigs are great for business—but stepping off your property can expose you to new risks. Many general liability policies don’t automatically cover off-site service.

What to do: Ask about adding special event insurance or expanding your business liability coverage to include mobile operations and off-premise exposure.

4. Liquor Liability (Even if It's BYOB)

If alcohol is served—even if you’re not the one pouring—it could still be your legal responsibility. In New York, liquor liability insurance is not included in standard business policies and must be added separately.

What to do: If you sell, serve, or allow alcohol at your business or events, make sure liquor liability coverage is in place.

5. Coverage for the Vehicle AND the Kitchen

Food trucks have two major components: the vehicle and the kitchen. A standard auto policy might cover one—but not the other.

What to do: Secure a commercial auto policy tailored to food trucks, along with coverage for your equipment, inventory, and mobile operations.

Serving This Summer? Make Sure You’re Protected.

Quick Insurance helps food businesses throughout Orange County get the right protection—so you can focus on serving great food, not managing risk. As independent brokers, we shop multiple carriers to find affordable, customized coverage for:

• Restaurants and food trucks

• Pop-up events and mobile catering

• Commercial auto and kitchen equipment

• General liability and workers’ comp

• Liquor liability

• And more

Before the summer rush, let’s take a moment to review your insurance plan.

Contact Quick Insurance for a free business policy review.