I am starting a cooking class business in my home. I have a business license and a food-safety certificate. I am looking for business insurance in Los Angeles, CA. Does anyone know the rates and what I need covered? Any recommendations for insurers?
I am by no means an "expert", but based on my experience, I would STRONGLY recommend "chatting" with your local health department before going much farther, especially sine you are located in California. I could be grossly mistaken, but I believe that "culinary instruction facilities" fall within health department regulations for "food production facilities, especially as to food sanitation and residential facilities do not comply with some fundamental requirements, not the least of which is the prohibition of any "living quarters" being connected to the food production area.
Then there is the NSF requirement on equipment as well as sanitation with regards to "ware washing", i.e. triple sinks (wash, rinse, sanitize).
From dealing with insurance companies, and I carry liability insurance as a personal chef as well as a caterer, they REQUIRE all culinary activities to be performed in either a licensed, inspected, commercial facility OR in a facility controlled BY THE CLIENT.
But then, what do I know, I've only been doing it for a little over ten years.