Cafe Insurance

We have access to a selection of the UK 's leading and specialist insurers and are able to build a policy that is tailor made to suit the requirements of your cafe, coffee shop or tea room.

Café businesses vary greatly, from tearooms and coffee shops to bistros and that British institution, “the greasy spoon”. But whatever type of café business you run, you all have one thing in common: busy cafés can carry a number of risks and challenges so you need comprehensive insurance to protect you, your customers, and your reputation.

As a café owner, you’re responsible for the welfare of your customers, your employees, and your suppliers. So it’s essential to have adequate public liability and employers liability insurance in case anyone is injured or falls ill as a result of being at your cafe. Product liability is another essential cover as a safeguard should somebody suffer food poisoning.  

Additionally, other essential covers include business interruption, cover for your building, equipment and contents, and financial cover for any money held at your premises.

smei is passionate about championing the high street and helping cafes like Rococo Coffee House in Liverpool, Merseyside (pictured above). smei has been working with small- and medium-sized enterprises across the UK since 2002, so we understand that each individual business has its own unique risks and challenges. Our knowledgeable customer service team has the skills and expertise to put together a flexible policy that fits your specific requirements, and has the ability to develop and grow along with your business.

Our flexible approach to tailor-made policies and our ability to cater for non-standard risks means we may be able to provide cover for risks that some insurers deem too risky, such as flat-roofed premises, start-up businesses, and premises that have suffered previous claims due to fire or flood.

To find out more about our specialised cover for cafés, or to obtain a quote for your business, contact smei today for a chat with our quality team.

Why Insurance is Important for Cafes

Even the smallest of cafés or tea rooms can face big risks when it comes to health and safety. This is why it is just as important for these smaller, perhaps more independent businesses to understand the importance of taking out business insurance, as well as the larger establishments.

But what kind of things should you keep in mind when it comes to cover for your business?

Business interruption – which provides financial protection should an insured event such as a fire or flood prevents you from trading for a period of time.

Equipment breakdown cover – to ensure that those costly machines vital to your business can be replaced or repaired should they fail.

Public liability – typically covers you just in case a customer slips, falls, or suffers another injury whilst eating at your tea room or café.

Taking time out from running your own business can be difficult, which is why you should contact an expert in business insurance to talk you through the important things to consider to help ensure that your livelihood is well protected.

Our Product

smei have access to a selection of UK insurers and are able to build a policy that is tailor made to suit the requirements of your cafe, coffee shop or tea room.

Our experienced sales executives will work with you to ensure that you understand the warranties and endorsements which may be attached to your policy.

Our flexible approach to tailor made policies and our ability to cater for “non-standard” risks, means that we may still be able to provide a policy to cover your business needs even if your particular circumstances may not be looked on favourably by some Insurers.

Our insurers may be able to offer cover for:

• Premises with flat roofs.
• Risks with high sums insured.
• Start up businesses.
• Proposals that have had large claims (including fire or flood).

Please note we are unable to offer quotations to businesses located in Northern Ireland.

About the Cafe / Coffee Shop & Tea Room Industry

Whilst some people dream of owning a large restaurant that caters to large numbers of people, there are also some that equally love the idea of running a small coffee shop, café, or tearoom.

These often intimate food outlets are known for their ability to provide delicious home cooked food in comfortable surroundings and appeal to a wide range of people looking to enjoy a slice of cake whilst they catch up.

Many tea rooms and coffee shops are located within, or close to, a tourist attraction, maximising the likelihood of passing trade tempted in by the sight or smell of the food and drink on offer.

Often people who choose to run these smaller food outlets will do so with minimal staff, meaning that it is a busy, yet greatly rewarding type of business to open. All you need to do is understand how to keep your business protected, as well as keeping your customers happy!

<sub>Terms and Conditions
* We randomly surveyed 88 policyholders (3.84%) who obtained cover through us between December 2017 and June 2018. 97% made a financial saving by moving to smei, with an average saving of 23.97%. This data excludes commercial and residential insurance for landlords.</sub>

_{** Standard and optional cover may differ dependent upon insurer.}

_{*** Premium stated is the lowest price paid in 2016. Data compared from 991 policies sold between January 2016 and January 2017.}

_{**** Based on 991 policies sold between January 2016 and January 2017, 554 customers paid less than £500.}