What business insurance does a food truck need in Michigan?

Your mobile food business brings flavor and flair to Michigan's streets, festivals and neighborhoods. While menus vary, food trucks have specific insurance needs. Most owners choose a combination of coverage that helps them handle the high costs of everything from kitchen fires to injured patrons who decide to lawyer up. We believe in your business and want to help you protect it, so here's a quick guide to the coverages most food truck vendors choose.

SHORT SUMMARY (because we know you have a lot going on!)

Mobile food services in Michigan face industry-specific risks that require customized insurance coverage.
A Business Owner’s Policy for food trucks saves you money by bundling general liability, property insurance and product liability.
General liability insurance is usually required by Michigan for food establishments. It covers damages or injuries your business may cause, as well as claims related to your advertising.
Food truck property insurance helps you replace or repair damaged cooking equipment, inventory and signage.
Workers’ compensation for food truck employees is required by Michigan and covers staff injuries and lost wages.
Commercial auto is required by Michigan and helps pay for damages or injuries caused by your food truck when it's on the road.
Inland marine insurance covers mobile equipment and tools that aren't attached to your food truck.
Commercial umbrella insurance provides extra coverage when other key policies reach their limits.

Working with Mylo can help you find the right coverage at the best value.

FIVE BEST INSURANCE COVERAGES FOR MOBILE FOOD SERVICES IN MICHIGAN:

Here are five essential coverages every food truck operator should consider to stay protected and profitable:

1. Business Owner’s Policy for food trucks

A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) is a smart starting point. It bundles key coverages into one affordable package – ideal for new or growing mobile food businesses. Your BOP typically includes:

GENERAL LIABILITY FOR MOBILE FOOD VENDORS Covers legal and medical costs if a customer or other visitor is injured – or their property is damaged – while they're at your truck. It also protects you from advertising-related claims. Examples:

A passerby slips on a spilled Italian ice outside your truck
A hot sauce mishap ruins a customer's designer purse
A competitor accuses you of copying their logo or slogan

FOOD TRUCK PROPERTY INSURANCE Covers kitchen equipment, signage and inventory if disasters like fire, theft or vandalism strike. Examples:

A grease fire damages your cooking station
A break-in results in stolen appliances or ingredients
A storm damages your awning and generator

PRODUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE (also called food liability) Covers legal costs when your customers claim your food made them sick or caused an allergic reaction.

BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE Replaces lost income if you need to temporarily pause your business due to covered property damage.

2. Workers' compensation for food truck employees

If you have employees, Michigan requires workers' compensation. It covers medical care and lost wages for your team members injured on the job – and shields you from most employee lawsuits. Examples:

A cook slips on a wet floor and fractures their wrist
A team member suffers heat exhaustion during summer service
An employee strains their back lifting heavy supplies

3. Commercial auto insurance for mobile food services

If you drive your food truck to events, Michigan requires you to cover it with commercial auto insurance.

Helps pay for damages or injuries your food truck causes to others or their property on the road
Can also pay for damages to your own truck (optional)

4. Inland marine for food truck vendors

Covers mobile equipment that isn't permanently attached to your truck while it's being transported to events on the road or mobile equipment stored temporarily outside of your truck, such as in a warehouse.

Examples: Generators, prep tables, fryers, specialized gear, unattached signage
1. Commercial umbrella insurance for food trucks

Think of this as insurance for your insurance! A commercial umbrella insurance policy provides extra protection if other key policies like general liability or commercial auto reach their limits, which helps you protect your company's financial assets.

THE BEST INSURANCE FOR MOBILE FOOD SERVICE OWNERS IN MICHIGAN

Every mobile food business is different. We’re fans of yours and here to help you protect it. Mylo has been innovating insurance for ten years. We know how to connect people and businesses to the coverage they need. Because we don’t sell our own insurance, we can give you an objective recommendation.

At no charge to you, we will: