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Business Insurance For Pizza Shops

Compare business insurance quotes with Savvy to find the best policy for your pizza or takeaway food store. 

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, updated on July 27th, 2023       

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Along with the sizzle of grilled pepperoni and the smell of melting cheese comes many risks that all pizza shop owners, fish and chip shop owners and takeaway food operators run. There are burning and trip hazards to consider, the risk of vandalism and theft and inherent dangers associated with door-to-door delivery. For this reason, having comprehensive business insurance is essential for anyone in the takeaway food business. 

You can compare quotes for a range of business insurance types here with Savvy. Just answer a few simple questions about your takeaway business and the insurance you’re after and you’ll have multiple quotes from a range of respected insurers to consider instantly. Use our quick and easy comparison service to make sure you get the best value insurance for your pizza shop today. 

What types of insurance should I buy for my pizza shop or fish and chip takeaway business?

Because there are so many risks involved with running a takeaway business, pizza restaurant or fish and chip shop, there are several different types of business insurance you should consider to protect yourself. These include: 

Product liability insurance 

Product liability insurance can cover you against third-party claims that the food you supplied caused sickness, injury or death. This type of insurance is important for anyone who sells freshly prepared food, as anything which is consumed carries the risk of bacterial contamination. Cover starts from $250,000 and can be bundled together with public liability and other types of cover into a business insurance package. 

What it covers:  

  • Claims that a product you supplied (such as your food) caused sickness or injury 
  • Other third-party damages claims 
  • Legal fees to defend yourself against such claims 

Public liability insurance 

Public liability insurance is also essential for anyone who runs a retail business. It’ll cover you against claims a member of the public was injured whilst on your business premises, or that their property was damaged as a result of your business activity. For example, you’ll be covered if anyone should slip or fall in your shop and injure themselves, or if one of your delivery drivers on a motorbike damages a car parked outside your business premises. Public liability insurance can offer between $5 million and $20 million worth of coverage and is a compulsory form of insurance to take out many retail shop leases. 

What it covers:  

  • Third-party personal injury claims 
  • Damage to a third party’s property 
  • Legal fees to defend yourself 

General business insurance 

General business insurance may also be worthwhile to protect the equipment and machinery you use in your pizza or fish and chip shop, such as your ovens, deep fryers, microwaves, food warmers and fridges. As part of your general insurance package, it also may be worth considering additional add-ons which could provide maximum protection for your takeaway business, such as glass insurance and portable equipment insurance. 

What it covers: 

  • Fire, storms, theft, vandalism and collision which cause damage to any of your business assets, including your actual shop and its fittings 
  • Specialist cover for electronic equipment and other portable equipment  
  • Limited business interruption insurance 

Accident and sickness insurance 

Because you’re working in a high-risk environment all day, surrounded by burning ovens and hot oil, it’s worth considering what might happen to you and your family if you were unable to work for an extended period due to an accident. 

Accident and sickness insurance can provide cover for you if you become unable to work, providing a weekly replacement income and helping you pay your bills if you're injured or suffer a serious accident. 

What it covers: 

  • Loss of income as a result of an injury or illness 

Optional extras can include: 

  • Death benefits 
  • Disablement benefits 
  • Payment of business expenses during your recovery period 

What isn’t covered under general business insurance for a takeaway shop?  

The most common general exclusions include: 

  • Injury to yourself or your employees 
  • Flood damage (caused by an act of nature, such as a river breaking its banks) 
  • Glass breakage (which is available as an additional add-on, as mentioned) 
  • Unlawful activity or criminal negligence 
  • Reckless behaviour or intentional damage 
  • Anything to do with asbestos 
  • The effects of pollution caused by your business activity 

How much will business insurance cost for my pizza or takeaway shop?

There is no set cost for an insurance policy, as each applicant is different and faces unique risks. Many factors influence the cost of business insurance, including the following:  

  • The state your shop is in 
  • Whether you run your business in a rural or urban area 
  • Whether you’re a sole trader, are in a partnership, or run a business 
  • Your business size and turnover  
  • If you have any employees 
  • Your credit history  
  • Your insurance history 
  • Whether you’ve made an insurance claim in the past five years 

The main factor which will affect the cost of your insurance is the industry you’re in. All businesses in Australia are classified according to the risk their industry poses, and are allocated a risk ratio. These ratios are used by insurers to calculate the comparative risk of any one business compared to another.  

Another factor which will play a part in the cost of your insurance is your location. There may be two almost identical pizza shops, one in Queensland and the other in the ACT, but the insurance for the business in Brisbane may cost more simply because of the additional environmental risks posed by that location. 

You can find out how much insurance will cost for your business by comparing quotes right here with Savvy. Whether your bakery is located in a rural town or a suburban shopping centre, you’ll be able to find a policy which is perfect for your business needs here. 

Why do I need business insurance for my pizza shop or takeaway restaurant?

The reason you need business insurance if you run a pizza shop, a fish and chip shop or even a café is because you face multiple risks in your everyday job. There are not only the obvious risks (such as burning yourself on a hot oven) but also the business liability risk of a customer tripping in your shop and sustaining a serious injury. In a cafe or restaurant, there is always the risk of waiting staff accidentally dropping hot food or drink onto a customer, and if you also offer a delivery service, there’s also the risk of your delivery staff getting into traffic accidents.  

Since you’ve worked so hard to set up your business, it makes sense to protect it and your reputation from anything that can go wrong. Having business insurance offers security in case unexpected circumstances happen which your policy covers. If something unfortunate does happen and you have adequate insurance to protect yourself, you’ll have a much better chance of recovering quickly and getting back on your feet. 

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More questions about business insurance for cafes, pizza and takeaway shops

How long is my business insurance quote for my pizza shop valid for?

Unless otherwise stated, insurance quotes are valid for 30 days from the time they’re received. If more than 30 days elapse before you pay your first premium, you’ll need to get a fresh quote. 

Is it cheaper to get a business insurance package for my takeaway shop rather than have separate policies?

A business insurance package that combines public liability insurance, product liability and general business insurance will almost certainly be cheaper than taking out several separate insurance policies. By bundling all your insurance needs into one package, you can have all your business insurance requirements under one roof, which can make things far easier if you do need to make a claim. It’s important to compare policies to ensure you’re getting the coverage you need, however, which you can do through Savvy.  

What information will I need to make an insurance claim?

The information you should have to hand when you contact your insurance company to make a claim will include: 

  • The name of the policyholder 
  • Your policy number and start date (which can be found on your Certificate of Currency) 
  • A detailed description of the incident (what happened to cause the damage or loss) 
  • Specific dates and times when the incident happened 
  • Contact details of any other parties involved (or witnesses to the event) 
  • Details of your police report number (if a crime took place) 
  • Details of the property lost or damaged (including its age and value) 
  • Your bank details for settling the claim 
Are the business insurance premiums for my pizza shop tax-deductible? 

The Australian Taxation Office recognises that having business insurance is a legitimate cost of doing business, so the full cost of your insurance premiums can generally be claimed as a business expense and offset against your income. However, it’s always worth seeking independent tax advice to find out what you can and can’t claim as a tax deduction on your tax return. 

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Savvy is partnered with BizCover Pty Ltd (ABN 68 127 707 975, AFSL 501769) to provide readers with a variety of business insurance policies to compare. Savvy earns a commission from BizCover each time a customer buys a business insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via BizCover.

Savvy does not compare all business insurance policies or providers currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

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