What is Chef Insurance?

As of July 1 2023, the program has changed completely - each member will now have their own insurance policy through the Chef Insurance program, not a certificate on a master policy.  

This change brings with it many regulatory and compliance issues, hence we now have to quote insurance separately from membership. This allows members to better understand the policy they are purchasing.

The Chef Insurance program, however, can ONLY be accessed by Members of The Chef Alliance.  All Members can access the full array of member benefits.

To access the incredible rates that the Chef Insurance program offers, you must be a member in good standing of The Chef Alliance.

The business must fall within the parameters of the program - refer to the 3 Tiers available or connect with a Success Manager.

Chef Insurance policies are

• for 1 year
• non-refundable
• subject to a policy fee of $25
• subject to applicable taxes

In addition, there

• must be no claims related to the business in past 5 years
• must be a valid food safety or food handlers certificate.

Although Chef Insurance does not cover all risks that a food business may face, it may provide coverage for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage caused by your business operations, products, or injury that occurs on the premises. The Chef Insurance program is considered a comprehensive business insurance program, and it's only available through The Chef Alliance.

Without the protection of Chef Insurance, you could be personally liable if someone gets sick or injured for...

• legal fees related to a claim or lawsuit
• lost wages of the claimant
• cost of health care services for the claimant
• cost of rehabilitation services for the claimant
• a settlement awarded to the claimant by the court

Without the protection of Chef Insurance, you could be personally liable  for damage to property for...

• repairs/replacement of equipment or property
• legal fees related to a claim or lawsuit
• a settlement awarded to the claimant by the court

... if your business rents a commercial kitchen, attends a local event or a farmers market to sell food etc.

Without the protection of Chef Insurance, you could be personally liable  if a client dies for...

• a settlement awarded by the court to the claimant's estate if the claimant dies directly from an injury or illness from consuming food you prepared or from other medical issues that stemmed from consuming food you prepared.

Chef Insurance includes: policy limit of $1 million, $2 million or $5 million.

• Bodily Injury /property damage
• Personal & advertising injury
• Products Completed Operations (Aggregate)
• Medical payments: $10,000
• Tenant’s legal liability: $250,000
• Owners, managers or lessors of premises as Additional Insured

• USA and international sales, operations and jurisdiction exclusion
• Total automobile exclusion
• Total liquor exclusion (Chef may make recommendations if requested but will not buy or serve alcohol)
• Abuse
• Not available in QC

The deductible is $1,000.

Chef Insurance can be paid along with the payment of membership fees or after the membership has been set up.

Each member has their own policy through the Chef Insurance program. Payment can be paid directly to The Chef Alliance.  

Or, if it's too much to pay at once, it can be financed through a third party financing company.  This allows members to spread the cost of membership and insurance over time in manageable instalments - up to 60 months.  And if you decide to pay the balance off early, no problem - there's no penalties.  Applying is quick and easy!

If all of the culinary services or food products being sold are provided under one business name/ legal entity, then only one policy is required.  

So, for example, if you have a sole proprietorship or corporation and provide private cooking lessons, attend at a weekly farmers market to sell your vegan dips, and also cater private and corporate events under this business, then they are all covered under one policy, provided terms and parameters of the policy are still adhered to.

Here are some sample descriptions of operations.

• I make authentic Korean meals and snacks in a commercial kitchen and I sell them through food delivery apps such as Uber Eats.
• I offer in-home personal chef or private chef services, where I cook in clients' homes.
• I make packaged snacks in a commercial kitchen and sell them at local  farmers markets, night markets, festivals and events.
• I make boxed meal kits in a commercial kitchen. These are pre-ordered through my website and social media and are delivered to clients on scheduled days.
• I produce bottled sauces in a commercial kitchen and sell to resellers (specialty and ethnic stores, supermarkets) and also direct to end users through our website.
• I offer small group and private cooking classes in my community, in clients' homes, community centres and commercial kitchens. 

Please connect with a Success Manager for assistance if you're still not sure what to write.

Commercial kitchens: If you prepare food in a commercial kitchen that has a requirement to be added to your policy as an Additional Insured, their details will be entered on this form.

Farmers Markets: If you attend a farmers market to sell food or drinks, then they will likely ask to be added to your policy as an Additional Insured or to provide proof of insurance. In the latter case, they will be added as a Certificate Holder.  We recommend that you copy and paste the exact requirements into the form for accurate processing.

Festivals, Fairs and Events: If you attend a festivals, fairs and other local events to sell food or drinks, then they will likely ask to be added to your policy as an Additional Insured or to provide proof of insurance. In the latter case, they will be added as a Certificate Holder.  We recommend that you copy and paste the exact requirements into the form for accurate processing.