Café insurance for cafés and coffee shops
Your coffee machine, fridges and fit-out are the engine room of your café, and your customers expect you to be open every morning. Café insurance protects your equipment, stock and income, and covers you if a customer is hurt or becomes unwell. We look after cafés and coffee shops across Australia, from single kiosks to busy multi-site operators.
Risks cafés face
- Coffee machine, grinder and fridge breakdowns
- Stock lost through power outages or refrigeration failure
- Customers slipping, tripping or being burned by hot drinks
- Claims from food or allergen reactions
- Theft, break-ins and broken shopfront glass
- Lost trading days after a fire, flood or storm
What café insurance usually includes
Business Package Insurance
Equipment, fit-out, stock, glass, theft and business interruption, with machinery breakdown for your espresso machine and fridges.
Public Liability Insurance
Cover for customer injuries and products liability for the food and drinks you serve.
Cyber Insurance
Protection for card payments, online ordering and loyalty apps.
What to check before you buy
Outdoor dining is a common gap. Councils usually ask for proof of public liability before issuing a footpath trading permit, and the policy needs to cover those areas. We'll also check that your espresso machine is properly covered for breakdown (not just fire and theft) and that your sums insured reflect what a new fit-out would actually cost.
Why work with a broker?
Policies that look similar on price can differ a great deal in what they pay for. As your broker, we act on your behalf: we ask the right questions about your business, compare options, explain the fine print in plain language and support you through any claim, wherever you are in Australia.
Common questions
What insurance does a café need?
Most cafés need public and products liability plus a business package covering contents, stock, glass, theft and business interruption. Machinery breakdown and spoilage cover are worth considering for coffee machines and fridges.
Is my coffee machine covered if it breaks down?
Only if you have machinery or electronic breakdown cover. Standard contents cover usually only responds to events like fire, storm or theft.
Does café insurance cover outdoor seating?
Public liability can cover footpath and outdoor dining areas, but it's important to confirm this, especially if your council permit has specific requirements.
Do I need business interruption cover for a small café?
Business interruption covers lost profit and ongoing costs such as rent and wages when an insured event like a fire or storm forces you to close. For a small café, even a few weeks of closure can be hard to absorb, so it’s worth choosing an indemnity period that reflects a realistic recovery time.
Can you insure a café in a shopping centre or food court?
Yes. Shopping centre leases often require specific public liability limits, commonly $10 million or $20 million, along with glass and other covers. We’ll review your lease requirements and make sure your policy meets them before you sign or renew.
How to get a quote
Getting a quote for your business is simple, and there is no obligation. Call Carly on 0497 100 469 or send an email with your business name and ABN, a short description of what you do, your approximate turnover and number of staff, a copy of your current policy schedule if you have one, and details of any claims in the last five years.
If your contracts or lease set specific insurance requirements, send those too.
We will ask a few questions about your operations, approach suitable insurers on your behalf and come back with options explained in plain language, including what is and isn’t covered. Once you choose, we arrange your cover and send your documents, then review it with you at every renewal so your insurance keeps pace with your business.
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