Personal Chef Insurance

Whether you need a license depends on where you work, as well as the type of services you offer, such as delivery.

Here are a few examples of when a chef or other food business might need a license or certification:

• City, county, or state laws likely require you to get a business license, regardless of the type of work you do. This involves filling out a form, paying an application fee, and obtaining an employer identification number (EIN).
• Local laws might require a food handlers card for you or your employees in order to work in the food service industry. This card certifies that you understand basic food safety practices.
• The laws in some jurisdictions require a catering license for certain business operations, such as a food vendor that delivers meals to clients or serves alcohol.
• You may also need a health permit from your local department of public health if you operate out of your own kitchen. The department will send someone to inspect your kitchen before issuing the permit.

If you're included as an additional insured on a catering company's liability insurance policy, or otherwise covered, there are still a few reasons why you might want to buy insurance for yourself. For instance, you might want coverage in the following scenarios:

• You don't have the right policy. For example, your employer might provide general liability insurance, but not workers' compensation insurance. Your health insurance won't cover work-related injuries, such as cooking burns and cuts, so you decide to buy your own workers' comp policy.
• You don't have the right amount of coverage. Though you're covered under a policy, you worry you don't have enough protection in the event of a lawsuit. You decide to buy your own policy with higher limits to avoid paying for legal costs out of pocket.
• You prefer to have your own representation. Your employer's policy will pay for a lawyer—and decide how you're represented. You think you'd be better off with a policy where you have better control over the situation in court, especially since your employer might put their own interests first in the event of a lawsuit.

Though you might hear the terms used interchangeably, there are a few key differences between personal chefs and private chefs. Here's a quick breakdown:

• A personal chef prepares meals for several clients. Personal chefs usually have their own kitchen where they cook meals and then deliver them to clients' homes or offices.
• A private chef typically works for one client. For instance, a private chef might live and work in a client's home and handle all of their grocery shopping, meals, special events, and clean up.

Because they work for more people, personal chefs learn how to prepare a wide range of foods, while a private chef might focus on the needs of the individual or family they work for. Personal chefs might need more insurance coverage as their business requires its own kitchen and vehicle, in addition to food and kitchen supplies.

In addition to the insurance policies mentioned above, personal chefs should consider the following types of coverage:

• Product liability insurance: This policy helps pay for legal costs related to product defects, allergic reactions, food poisoning, and similar claims.
• Tools and equipment insurance: Because commercial property insurance will only cover items at your business address, personal chefs need additional coverage for their equipment and other property that travels to clients. This type of inland marine insurance covers your business property wherever it goes.
• Hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA): Your personal auto policy won't cover business-related driving, which is why personal chefs need HNOA. This policy provides auto liability coverage for personal, leased, and rented vehicles used for work purposes.