Food Truck Insurance Cost: What to Budget in 2026

Insurance is a required cost for food trucks, but premiums vary widely. This article focuses on how much you can expect to pay—not what coverage you need (for that, see our Complete Guide to Food Truck Insurance and Insurance Guide). We’ll cover typical ranges, what affects your quote, and how to budget.

Typical Premium Ranges

Many single-truck operations pay $3,000–$8,000 per year for a package that includes general liability, auto, and often property. High-revenue or multi-vehicle operations can see $10,000–$20,000 or more. These are ballpark figures; your actual cost depends on your state, vehicle, revenue, and claims history. Get several quotes and compare coverage, not just price.

What Drives Your Premium

Step-by-Step: Getting and Comparing Quotes

A structured process helps you get comparable quotes and avoid gaps in coverage. Follow these steps so you can compare apples to apples.

1. Gather vehicle details (year, make, value), equipment list, and estimated annual revenue.
2. List locations and radius (e.g. one city vs multi-state) and any employees or subcontractors.
3. Request quotes from at least three insurers that specialize in food or mobile food.
4. Compare coverage (limits, deductibles, exclusions), not just premium. Check product liability and auto liability limits.
5. Choose a policy that meets venue and event requirements (e.g. $1M/$2M general liability) and fits your budget.

What Lowers vs Raises Your Premium

Understanding what insurers care about helps you plan and sometimes reduce cost without sacrificing coverage.

Can lower cost: Higher deductibles (if you can afford the out-of-pocket), limiting operating radius, strong food safety and training records, bundling auto and liability with one carrier, paying annually instead of monthly. Can raise cost: Prior claims, high revenue or payroll, multi-state or very large radius, high-value vehicle and equipment, venues that require high limits (e.g. $2M aggregate). Use our Food Safety Guide to document practices; insurers may ask for it.

Checklist: Documents for Your Insurer

Have these ready when you apply or renew so you get an accurate quote and avoid delays.

• Vehicle — Year, make, model, VIN, and current value (or purchase price). Proof of ownership or lease.
• Equipment — List of major equipment (ranges, refrigeration, etc.) and approximate value.
• Revenue and payroll — Estimated or actual annual revenue; number of employees and payroll if applicable.
• Operating area — Cities, counties, or radius you serve. Note if you travel out of state for events.
• Permits and compliance — Copy of food service permit; evidence of food safety training or HACCP if you have it.

How to Budget

Add insurance to your startup costs and monthly operating budget. If you pay annually, set aside one-twelfth each month so the renewal doesn’t surprise you. Consider higher deductibles to lower premium, but only if you can afford the out-of-pocket if you have a claim. For deeper detail on liability-only cost, see our article on liability insurance for mobile food.