What each policy actually does
Coverage types
General descriptions, in plain terms. Your own policy governs — these are not policy definitions.
General liability
Responds to third-party claims for bodily injury and property damage arising out of your business. Depending on the policy it may also respond to claims arising from premises, products, operations, completed operations, and personal and advertising injury.
Compare carefully. A policy written premises-only, or one excluding products and completed operations, is a materially different purchase — and for a food business it removes the exposure you most likely came here for.
Products and completed operations
The part that responds when someone says the food you sold made them ill. Packaged food in particular travels: a customer can buy on Saturday and eat it two weeks later, and the claim still points back at you.
Equipment — inland marine
Cover for your own cart, kiosk, trailer, generator, smoker and appliances. General liability does not do this. If you travel, confirm the cover applies off the premises rather than only at a fixed address.
Business personal property
Cover for stock and equipment kept at your place of business or commissary. Worth pairing with equipment cover if you store anything of value away from the cart.
Business income
If a fire or other covered loss stops you trading, business income cover responds to the earnings you lose while you are shut. Vendors tend to think about replacing the equipment and forget the weeks of trading that go with it.
Commercial auto
Required for vehicles used in the business, including trucks and, depending on the policy and state, the vehicle towing your trailer. A personal auto policy will not respond to commercial use.
Workers compensation
Required in most states once you have employees, and separate from everything above. Rules and thresholds vary by state.
Excess and umbrella
When a venue demands higher limits than your underlying policy carries, excess or umbrella cover sits on top. Common when a large market, stadium or municipal event sets the terms.
This is a partial list, and every claim is subject to review under the actual policy. See our disclaimer.