Chef Insurance
Chef Insurance
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  • Chef Insurance
  • Our Clients
  • Benefits
  • Resources
  • Contact Us

What is Chef Insurance?

What Are The Insurance Tiers?

What is Chef Insurance?

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How Much Does It Cost?

What Are The Insurance Tiers?

What is Chef Insurance?

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What Are The Insurance Tiers?

What Are The Insurance Tiers?

What Are The Insurance Tiers?

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FAQs

How Do I Proceed?

What Are The Insurance Tiers?

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How Do I Proceed?

How Do I Proceed?

How Do I Proceed?

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How Do I Proceed?

How Do I Proceed?

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WHAT IS CHEF INSURANCE?

Chef Insurance is a Commercial General Liability insurance (CGL) product exclusively designed for members of The Chef Alliance - including Chefs, Cooks and small food businesses.  The Chef Alliance, on behalf of members, has negotiated low rates for CGL from a third-party licensed insurance broker.  


Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL) is REQUIRED for every food business, no matter how big or small.


So even if you're...

  • a start-up food business with little income,
  • Personal Chef with only one client, 
  • catering small events,
  • a culinary instructor offering online cooking lessons, 
  • a business selling meals only on weekends through UberEats,  
  • a seasonal business selling food at farmers markets,
  • a home cook offering a meal sharing service,
  • using a commercial kitchen to cook or test recipes


... YOU STILL NEED LIABILITY INSURANCE.

Chef INSURANCE PROTECTS:

  • if a client gets food poisoning
  • if a client gets an allergic reaction
  • if someone breaks a tooth biting into food you prepared
  • if you drop a pan and crack a tile on your client's floor
  • is someone is injured at your farmers market booth
  • and so much more

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HOW MUCH DOES CHEF INSURANCE COST?

Chef Insurance has 3 Tiers and each Tier can come with your choice of $1 million, $2 million or $5 million liability insurance coverage.


Tier 1: selling to end user; gross annual income under $100k

with $1 million insurance: $300

with $2 million insurance: $360

with $5 million insurance: $540

(compared to min. $1,200 for non-members)


Tier 2: selling to end user; gross annual income under $200k

with $1 million insurance: $341

with $2 million insurance: $408

with $5 million insurance: $613

(compared to min. $1,400 for non-members)


Tier 3: selling to resellers and selling to end user; gross annual income under $200k

with $1 million insurance: $750

with $2 million insurance: $850

with $5 million insurance: $1,000

(compared to min. $2,000 for non-members)


Large Event Coverage is for catered events with 26-200 people: $125/ event up to a maximum of 25 events per policy term.


Note: All rates quoted are subject to a $25 policy fee and applicable taxes. Chef Insurance is in addition to Membership Fees.


Comparison Pricing

Here's what we found when we compared our most popular product - Tier 1 Chef Insurance with $2million liability insurance - to other insurance policies in the marketplace. 

  • T1-2 Chef Insurance policy: $360/year

Compared with:

  • A 21-day short-term policy: $283.20 (that works out to $4,922/year!)
  • Another provider's 1-year policy: $1,200/year


So even with the membership in The Chef Alliance of $499/year factored in, you're still saving money! That's hundreds of dollars in your pocket!

Application forms and information

Member Application Form (pdf)Download
Sample Member Application Form (pdf)Download
Member - Special Certificate Requests (pdf)Download
Sample Member - Special Certificate Requests (pdf)Download

what are the Chef insurance tiers?

Tier 1

Tier 1

Tier 1

If your business: 

  • has gross annual sales of up to $100,000 /year


  • Sells food products and/or offers culinary services directly to the end user (can be consumers and/ or businesses ) for direct consumption, not for resale


e.g. Personal Chef, catering, cooking lessons, farmers markets, local festivals, meal delivery (e.g. Uber Eats), meal prep etc. 

Tier 2

Tier 1

Tier 1

If your business: 

  • has gross annual sales of  $100-$200,000 /year


  • Sells food products and/or offers culinary services directly to the end user (can be consumers and/ or businesses ) for direct consumption, not for resale


e.g. Personal Chef, catering, cooking lessons, farmers markets, local festivals, meal delivery (e.g. Uber Eats), meal prep etc.

Tier 3

Tier 1

Tier 3

     If your business: 

  • has gross annual sales of up to $200,000 /year


  • Sells food products and/or offers culinary services directly to the end user (can be consumers and/ or businesses ) for direct consumption 


e.g. Personal Chef, catering, cooking lessons, farmers markets, local festivals, meal delivery (e.g. Uber Eats), meal prep etc. 


and / or

  • Sells food products for resale by other businesses, e.g you sell to bakeries, convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.


HOW DO I PROCEED?

STEP 1

STEP 1

STEP 1

Request or download an application. This is a short and simple application and we've produced a sample form to help you answer the questions

STEP 2

STEP 1

STEP 1

If you're approved, we can proceed with membership in The Chef Alliance and Chef Insurance coverage. 

STEP 3

STEP 1

STEP 3

Make a payment in full by e-transfer or arrange financing.


Yes - it really is that simple!

READ MORE

WHAT IS BODILY INJURY?

INSURANCE FOR FARMERS MARKET VENDORS

WHAT IS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED?

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WHAT IS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED?

INSURANCE FOR FARMERS MARKET VENDORS

WHAT IS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED?

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INSURANCE FOR FARMERS MARKET VENDORS

INSURANCE FOR FARMERS MARKET VENDORS

SELLING FOOD TO RETAILERS, CAFES OR RESTAURANTS

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SELLING FOOD TO RETAILERS, CAFES OR RESTAURANTS

SELLING FOOD TO RETAILERS, CAFES OR RESTAURANTS

SELLING FOOD TO RETAILERS, CAFES OR RESTAURANTS

READ MORE

INSURANCE FOR PERSONAL AND PRIVATE CHEFS

SELLING FOOD TO RETAILERS, CAFES OR RESTAURANTS

INSURANCE FOR PERSONAL AND PRIVATE CHEFS

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INSURANCE FOR HOME-BASED FOOD BUSINESSES

SELLING FOOD TO RETAILERS, CAFES OR RESTAURANTS

INSURANCE FOR PERSONAL AND PRIVATE CHEFS

READ MORE


Copyright © 2001 - present. The Chef Alliance - All Rights Reserved.    

  

Disclaimer: Information provided may be incomplete. Any suggestions or guidance should not be considered a substitute for professional, legal, business, insurance or financial advice. Each business situation is unique, and the advice provided is intended to be general. Please contact a professional for advice that's best suited for your business and to meet requirements of your local/regional government laws and by-laws.​ The Chef Alliance shall not be held liable or responsible to any person or entity with respect to any loss or incidental or consequential damages alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information provided herein.


The Chef Alliance is an industry member organization for chefs and cooks and is not an insurance broker.  The Commercial General Liability Insurance (" Chef Insurance") is a member benefit of The Chef Alliance, available for an additional fee.  It is not offered as a stand-alone insurance product and is not available to non-members.  It is provided through a third party licensed insurance broker. The Chef Alliance, by virtue of the size of its membership across Canada, is able to negotiate deeply-discounted insurance packages for its members and facilitates the insurance process on their behalf. 

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