Takeaway Insurance
Takeaway Insurance Quotes
Cover for takeaway premises, equipment and stock.
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What Is Takeaway Insurance?
Takeaway insurance is a type of commercial property insurance that protects food businesses selling meals for collection or delivery.
It bundles the covers a takeaway needs into a single policy: buildings, contents, stock, liability, and business interruption.
Whether you run a kebab house, a pizza shop, or a mobile food van, the right policy covers risks specific to preparing and delivering hot food. You can compare commercial property insurance quotes to find a package that fits your operation.
How To Compare Takeaway Insurance Quotes
Comparing quotes side by side is the fastest way to find cover that matches your takeaway without overpaying.
Enter your business details
Provide your takeaway's address, type of cuisine, number of staff, and approximate stock value.
Choose your cover level
Decide whether you need buildings cover, contents only, or a combined policy. Add any extras such as business interruption or equipment breakdown.
Review your quotes
Check each quote for policy limits, excesses, and exclusions. Make sure the insurer is listed on the Financial Conduct Authority register before you buy.
Buy online or over the phone
Once you have picked a policy, you can usually complete the purchase in minutes. Paying annually rather than monthly avoids instalment charges of around 8–11% on top.
What Does Takeaway Insurance Cover?
A standard takeaway insurance policy bundles several covers into one package, so you do not need to buy each one separately.
Buildings insurance
Covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding your premises after fire, flood, storm damage, or subsidence. Shop insurance policies include this as standard, and it is especially important for takeaways with deep-fat fryers, which carry a higher fire risk.
Contents and stock cover
Protects your equipment, fixtures, and perishable stock against theft, accidental damage, or spoilage from a freezer breakdown.
Employers' liability insurance
A legal requirement if you have staff. Employers' liability insurance must provide at least £5 million of cover, though most insurers offer £10 million as standard.
Without it you face fines of up to £2,500 per day.
Public liability insurance
Covers claims from members of the public who are injured or whose property is damaged because of your business. Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement, but most landlords and delivery platforms insist on it.
Product liability insurance
Covers claims arising from the food you sell, including food poisoning and allergic reactions. This is one of the most important covers for any food business.
Business interruption cover
Replaces lost income if an insured event forces you to close temporarily. A kitchen fire could shut a takeaway for weeks, and this cover bridges the gap.
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What Types Of Takeaways Can You Insure?
Most commercial insurers cover any food business that prepares meals for collection or delivery, though premiums vary by cuisine and cooking method.
| Takeaway type | Key cover considerations |
| Kebab or chicken shop | Deep-fat fryer fire risk, late-night opening, high foot traffic |
| Pizza takeaway | Delivery driver liability, multiple ovens, dough-making equipment |
| Fish and chip shop | Oil storage and disposal, extraction system maintenance, fryer breakdown |
| Indian or Chinese takeaway | High stock values (spices and sauces), gas cooking risks, allergen exposure |
| Burger van or food truck | Mobile premises cover, event liability, generator and LPG risks |
| Ghost kitchen (dark kitchen) | No public-facing premises; delivery-only liability, platform compliance |
If you run a fish and chip shop or a restaurant with a takeaway counter, a combined policy may be more cost-effective than two separate ones.
What Is Not Covered By Takeaway Insurance?
Standard policies exclude several common risks, so check the small print before you assume you are covered.
Delivery vehicles
Your takeaway policy will not cover cars, mopeds, or vans used for deliveries. Drivers need separate courier insurance, and businesses running multiple delivery vehicles may need fleet insurance.
Wear and tear
Gradual deterioration of equipment, fittings, or the building itself is not covered. Insurers expect you to maintain your premises and replace ageing kit.
Food hygiene fines
If your local authority issues a fine for poor hygiene practices, your insurer will not pay it. Fines are treated as penalties for non-compliance, not insurable losses.
Deliberate damage
Any damage you cause intentionally to make a claim is excluded and could result in your policy being voided.
What Add-Ons Are Available For Takeaway Insurance?
Most insurers offer optional extras you can bolt on to a standard policy to fill gaps specific to your operation.
Equipment breakdown cover
Pays for repairs or replacement when kitchen equipment fails mechanically. Deep-fat fryers, extraction fans, and commercial fridges are the most common claims.
Cyber insurance
Protects against data breaches and online payment fraud. If you take card payments or use an online ordering system, this cover is worth considering.
Legal expenses cover
Covers solicitor fees for employment disputes, licence defence, and regulatory investigations. A single employment tribunal case can cost £10,000 or more in legal fees.
Tenant's improvements cover
If you lease your premises and have fitted a new kitchen or shop front at your own cost, this cover protects those improvements against fire, flood, or theft.
How Much Does Takeaway Insurance Cost?
A small family-run takeaway can expect to pay between £600 and £1,000 a year for a combined policy, while a larger operation with multiple staff and delivery drivers may pay £1,200 to £2,500 or more.
| Cover level | Typical annual cost | What is included |
| Liability only (EL + PL) | £300–£600 | Employers' and public liability, product liability |
| Standard | £700–£1,200 | Liability, buildings or contents, stock |
| Comprehensive | £1,200–£2,000 | All standard covers plus business interruption |
| Premium | £2,000–£2,500+ | Comprehensive plus equipment breakdown, legal expenses, cyber |
For example, a high-street kebab shop with four staff, £10,000 of equipment, and £5,000 of stock might pay around £1,000 a year for a standard policy.
Prices vary widely between insurers, so comparing quotes through a business insurance comparison tool is the quickest way to find the best deal.
What Affects Your Takeaway Insurance Premium?
Insurers weigh several risk factors when calculating your premium, and understanding them helps you control costs.
Cuisine and cooking method
Deep-fat frying and open-flame grilling carry higher fire risks than oven-based cooking. A fish and chip shop will usually pay more than a sandwich bar.
Location
Premises in areas with higher crime rates or flood risk attract larger premiums. A late-night takeaway near pubs and bars may also face higher public liability costs.
Food hygiene rating
A rating of 5 from the Food Standards Agency signals strong food safety practices. Some insurers use your rating as a proxy for overall risk management.
Claims history
A clean claims record over three to five years can earn large discounts. Frequent claims, even small ones, push premiums up.
Number of staff and delivery drivers
More employees means higher employers' liability exposure. If your drivers use their own vehicles, confirm whether your policy covers their activity.
How To Save Money On Takeaway Insurance
A few practical steps can cut your premium without reducing cover.
Maintain a high food hygiene rating
Register your business with your local authority and keep your hygiene score at 4 or 5. A strong rating reassures insurers and may unlock lower quotes.
Install security and fire safety equipment
CCTV, intruder alarms, fire suppression systems above fryers, and regularly serviced extraction ducts all reduce your risk profile.
Pay annually
Monthly instalments typically add 8–11% to the total cost. If cash flow allows, paying upfront saves money over the year.
Increase your voluntary excess
Agreeing to pay a higher excess lowers your premium. Just make sure you could afford the excess if you needed to claim.
Compare quotes every year
Renewal prices often creep up. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers through the Association of British Insurers member network or a comparison tool keeps your costs in check.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement if you employ anyone, including part-time or casual staff. Other covers are not legally required but are strongly recommended.
It covers their employer's liability while they work for you, but it does not cover their vehicles. Drivers need separate hire-and-reward or courier vehicle insurance.
Most takeaway policies include product liability as a core cover. Check the policy wording for the limit, which is usually £1 million or £2 million.
Yes. A ghost kitchen operates without a public-facing shopfront, but it still needs liability, contents, and stock cover.
Buildings and contents cover pays for the damage, and business interruption cover replaces lost income while you are closed for repairs. Equipment breakdown cover is a separate add-on for mechanical failure.
These platforms typically require proof of public liability insurance before they will list your takeaway. Check each platform's onboarding requirements and make sure your policy meets their minimum cover level.
Some insurers factor your rating into the quote. A score of 5 suggests lower risk and may reduce your premium, while a score below 3 could make it harder to get cover.
Some insurers cover mobile food units under a takeaway policy, but others treat them as a separate risk. Ask your insurer whether mobile premises cover is available as an add-on.
Most takeaways choose £1 million or £2 million of public liability cover. Delivery platforms and landlords may specify a minimum, so check their requirements before you buy.
They overlap, but restaurant insurance usually includes cover for dine-in risks such as customer slips and trips. A takeaway-only policy may cost less because there is no public seating area.
