Running a food truck in Florida is exciting—you get to serve amazing food, connect with customers at festivals and events, and build a business on your terms. But before you fire up that grill, you need to understand Florida's insurance and licensing requirements. The good news? It's not as complicated as you might think. Let's break down exactly what you need to operate legally and protect your mobile food business.
Workers' Compensation Insurance: The Four-Employee Rule
Here's where Florida differs from many other states: you only need workers' compensation insurance if you have four or more employees. That includes part-time workers, seasonal staff, and anyone on payroll. If it's just you and two helpers running the truck, you're not legally required to carry workers' comp. But once you hire that fourth person, coverage becomes mandatory.
The cost is actually pretty reasonable. As of 2025, workers' compensation for food truck employees in Florida runs about $30 per employee each month, based on a rate of $1.03 per $100 of payroll plus taxes and fees. If an employee gets burned by hot oil or injured in a slip-and-fall while working, workers' comp covers their medical bills and lost wages. Without it, you could face stop-work orders, fines, and potentially devastating lawsuits.
As the business owner, you can actually exempt yourself from workers' comp coverage if you own at least 10% of the company. Corporate officers and LLC members can file a Notice of Election to be Exempt with the Division of Workers' Compensation. Sole proprietors don't even need to opt out—they're automatically excluded since they're not considered employees. But remember, you cannot exclude your regular employees, no matter if they're part-time or paid in cash.
General Liability Insurance: Your Safety Net for Customer Incidents
Here's something that trips up new food truck owners: Florida doesn't have a blanket state requirement for general liability insurance. But don't let that fool you—you absolutely need it. Most cities and counties in Florida require food truck operators to carry liability coverage, and the specific minimums vary by municipality. Miami-Dade might have different requirements than Orlando or Tampa.
More importantly, event organizers almost always require proof of general liability insurance before letting you set up. The standard minimum coverage that most festivals and markets require is $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. You'll need to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing you meet their requirements. No COI, no spot at the event—it's that simple.
What does general liability actually cover? It protects you if a customer gets food poisoning from your tacos, if someone slips on a wet spot near your truck and breaks their wrist, or if you accidentally damage property at an event venue. It also covers personal injury claims like libel and slander. Imagine if a customer claimed your social media post damaged their reputation—general liability handles that too. This coverage is the foundation of your risk management strategy.
Commercial Auto Insurance: Required for Every Food Truck
Your personal auto policy won't cut it for a food truck. Florida requires commercial auto insurance for any vehicle used for business purposes. This coverage protects both your truck and provides liability coverage if you're in an accident while driving to an event or location.
Commercial auto insurance is more expensive than personal coverage because food trucks are heavy, harder to maneuver, and on the road frequently. But if you cause an accident and injure someone, or if another driver totals your truck, this policy is what keeps you from losing everything. Many food truck owners also add physical damage coverage to protect their vehicle and onboard equipment from theft, vandalism, or collision damage.
Florida Licensing and Permits: The Paperwork Roadmap
Beyond insurance, Florida requires several licenses and permits to operate a food truck legally. First, you need a mobile food vendor permit. Which agency you work with depends on what you're serving. If you're operating a full food service operation—cooking, grilling, frying—you'll get licensed through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). If you're mainly selling prepackaged foods or non-potentially hazardous items like chips and cookies, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) handles your permit.
You'll also need a state business license to operate in Florida. Then there are the local requirements: a municipal business license from the city or county where you operate, health department certifications, and possibly parking permits depending on where you plan to set up. Costs vary widely—license fees can range from $100 to over $1,000 depending on your location and business scope.
Don't forget sales tax registration with the Florida Department of Revenue. You must collect and remit sales tax on prepared foods and other taxable items. And if you're serving cooked food, you'll likely need a commissary agreement—a licensed commercial kitchen where you can prep food, store ingredients, and clean equipment. Some food trucks selling only prepackaged non-potentially hazardous items can skip the commissary requirement, but most full-service trucks cannot.
Getting Started: Your Action Plan
Start by contacting your local municipality to confirm their specific insurance and licensing requirements. What works in Jacksonville might be different from Fort Myers or Tallahassee. Get clarity on liability minimums and permit costs upfront.
Next, talk to an insurance agent who specializes in food truck or mobile food business coverage. They can help you bundle commercial auto, general liability, and workers' comp (if needed) into a package that meets Florida's requirements and protects your specific operation. Make sure your policy includes the ability to issue Certificates of Insurance for events—you'll need these constantly.
Finally, get your permits and licenses in order before you start serving customers. Operating without proper insurance or permits can result in fines, stop-work orders, and even the shutdown of your business. Florida takes food safety and business compliance seriously. Do it right from the start, and you'll avoid headaches down the road. Your food truck dream is absolutely achievable—you just need the right coverage and paperwork to make it happen safely and legally.
