Navigating Regulatory Challenges: Insuring Small Food Vans in 2025

Are you a broker looking for a specialist vehicle insurance for a small food van business owner? While there haven't been major new regulatory changes in 2025, existing regulations around vehicle safety, food hygiene, and insurance compliance remain crucial for mobile catering businesses. Whether your client’s van has a fitted kitchen, gas appliances, refrigeration, or other modifications, these customisations come with specific risks and responsibilities that require the right insurance cover.

This article outlines key areas brokers should be aware of when advising clients on insuring mobile food vans.

 

1. Understanding Insurance for Modified Food Vans

Many mobile food businesses operate out of modified vans, with built-in gas and electrical systems for cooking and refrigeration. While these modifications allow for convenient food preparation, they also introduce risks that require specialist insurance.

 

Key Considerations for Brokers:

• Gas & Electrical Safety Compliance: Gas appliances must be inspected annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and electrical installations must meet relevant safety standards. Without proper documentation, insurers may refuse cover.

• Fire Risk Assessments: Many food vans use deep fryers, grills, or gas stoves, increasing fire hazards. Brokers should ensure their clients’ policies cover fire-related damages and business interruptions.

• Liability Coverage: Public liability and product liability insurance are essential in case a customer becomes ill due to contaminated food or is injured on-site.

📌 Next steps: Review your clients’ current policies to ensure they cover modifications, fire risks, and liability claims.

🔗 More details: Gas Safety for Catering Vehicles

2. Food Hygiene and Safety Compliance

Food safety regulations in the UK require mobile catering businesses to meet strict hygiene standards, which can impact insurance policies.

What Brokers Should Know:

• Food Business Registration: All food businesses, including food vans, must be registered with their local authority at least 28 days before trading.

• Hygiene Ratings & Inspections: Local councils conduct regular inspections and assign hygiene ratings. A poor rating can lead to increased premiums or refusal of cover.

• Temperature-Controlled Storage: Insurers may require proof that vans maintain safe storage temperatures for perishable foods.

📌 Next steps: Encourage clients to maintain hygiene records and stay updated on local council inspections.

🔗 More details: Food Safety Regulations

3. Ensuring Proper Licensing and Business Cover

Many food van owners assume their standard vehicle insurance is sufficient, but operating a food business from a van requires additional coverage.

 

Common Issues:

• Standard Vehicle Insurance is Not Enough: Many policies don’t cover business use, meaning damage to cooking equipment or stock may not be insured.

• Employers’ Liability Insurance: Legally required if a food van employs staff. Brokers should ensure this is included in policies.

• Trading Licences & Street Permits: Without the correct licences, food van operators risk fines or trading restrictions, which can affect insurance validity.

📌 Next steps: Advise clients to check that their insurance covers business use and complies with licensing requirements.

🔗 More details: Licensing for Mobile Food Businesses

How Ratcliffes Can Help

At Ratcliffes, we provide Non-Standard Vehicle Insurance designed to meet the unique needs of food van operators and other modified vehicle owners. Our policies cover catering vehicles, modified vans, and high-risk drivers, ensuring tailored protection for non-standard risks.

To explore our full coverage details and get a quote, visit our Non-Standard Vehicle Insurange page or speak with our team today.