Equipment Breakdown Insurance
for the Food Industry

Minimize Downtime. Protect Inventory. Stay Compliant.

In food and beverage operations, one equipment failure can lead to product spoilage, halted production, and costly violations. Equipment Breakdown Insurance helps food manufacturers, processors, restaurants, and CPG businesses recover quickly and keep serving customers.

Heffernan Insurance Brokers specializes in equipment insurance for the food industry. From commercial kitchens to cold storage warehouses, we protect the machinery your business depends on every day.

What Is Equipment Breakdown Insurance?

Equipment Breakdown Insurance covers the sudden and accidental failure of key machinery and systems not covered under standard property insurance policies. This includes mechanical, electrical, and pressure-related equipment used in food and beverage operations.

Key coverage benefits include:

• Emergency repair or replacement of failed equipment
• Reimbursement for business interruption and lost income
• Spoilage coverage for perishable inventory
• Extra expenses to restore operations and avoid delays

This coverage is essential for business continuity in any food processing or retail environment.

What Does Equipment Breakdown Insurance Cover?

Your policy can be tailored to protect a wide range of food industry equipment, including:

Common Covered Equipment

• Commercial refrigerators and freezers
• Food processors, ovens, mixers, and packaging systems
• Cold storage infrastructure (walk-ins, blast chillers)
• HVAC and ventilation systems
• Electrical distribution and control panels
• Boilers and pressure vessels
• Conveyor belts and automated lines
• Computerized monitoring and quality control systems
• POS systems in restaurants and food retail

Covered Causes of Loss

• Mechanical breakdown
• Electrical arcing or short-circuiting
• Centrifugal Force
• Pressure system failure
• Operator error

If your business relies on powered equipment to preserve product integrity or meet health regulations, breakdown coverage is essential.

Who Needs Equipment Breakdown Insurance?

Heffernan provides tailored protection for businesses across the food supply chain:

• Food & beverage manufacturers
• Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies
• Restaurants, central kitchens, and commissaries
• Cold storage and refrigerated transportation
• Wineries, breweries, and distilleries
• Grocery stores and specialty food retailers
• Cannabis-infused food and beverage producers
• Wholesale food distributors

Whether you’re storing perishable goods or operating high-volume production lines, this coverage keeps your systems running—and your losses limited.

How Much Does Equipment Breakdown Insurance Cost?

Several factors influence the cost of food industry equipment coverage:

• Type of operation (e.g., processor, distributor, restaurant)
• Number and value of insured equipment assets
• Age and condition of machinery
• Coverage limits, deductibles, and spoilage protection
• Claims history and preventive maintenance practices
• Location and regulatory environment

Our team will help you build a cost-effective plan based on your exposure and tolerance for risk.