Hot Dog Cart News

43 Comments so far ↓

• steve // Aug 1, 2009 at 8:57 am

  I use Barton Mutual. They are great, but they can only write policies in Missouri. If you live in the show me state, you can call them at 800-455-1646.

  Come on folks, tell us who you use!

  -Steve

• Tim/Get Grilled // Aug 1, 2009 at 2:43 pm

  Thanks Steve for putting this out there. Anyone one of you doggers that could throw this old dog a bone sure would be appreciated

• Jim // Aug 1, 2009 at 4:33 pm

  Hey Tim-
  glad business is boomin for ya. Try Michelle at Cumberland Insurance Group at 931-372-1222. She’s my agent here in Tennessee but the underwriter’s in Indy, closer to yer neighborhood.
  Good luck n good doggin!
  Jim
  GoodDog!

• Frank // Aug 2, 2009 at 10:33 pm

  I have a policy thru Travelers. If you do get insurance, make sure that it fully covers catering. Most liability polices only cover if the catering is less than 25% of your business.

• Lee Dugas // Aug 2, 2009 at 10:49 pm

  Hey Tim – not sure of they can do business out of state….but call Nicole here in Columbus, OH @ 614 717 0017. Very, very inexpensive & great service.

• Patricia // Aug 2, 2009 at 11:42 pm

  Insurance:
  This is AAA Insurance……
  McMillan – Steedley Agency JR McMillan, Owner – Agent
  620 N. Main St., Kannapolis, NC 28081

  (704) 298-4446 phone
  (704) 298-4230 fax
  email @: jrmcmillan@mcmillansteedley.com
  http://www.mcmillansteedley.com

• Ron // Aug 2, 2009 at 11:47 pm

  I use American Family. They do monthly payments and the premium is between $300 and $400 a year.

  Be sure to ask your agent how much it will cost to add an additional insured to the policy. As you do larger events, they will require that they be listed on your policy. Some policies charge extra for this and should be considered.

• Steve // Aug 3, 2009 at 4:25 am

  Hey, Tim
  I got a quote from Fred Sabbe of Sabbe & Assoc. In Ca. He is a nationwide provider. I’m not up and running yet but explained my cart to him and got the quote. Around $500.00 a year. I’m building my cart from Steve’s plans w/ some modifications. Hope to be out there with ya soon. Also Fred has a web site http://www.sabbeinsurance.com hope this helps. Steve

• Kathy // Aug 3, 2009 at 4:49 am

  Anyone knows who might right liability Ins. in South Carolina? I’m just getting started.
  Many thanks
  Kathy

• Mark // Aug 3, 2009 at 6:34 am

  Another option is an umbrella policy. I worked with my auto/home insurance person to develop coverage. It’s cheap when you combine with your other policies. Call your local agent today.

• Name // Aug 3, 2009 at 7:45 am

  I Use A. McGlawn Insurance Agency. They are in Elkins Park Pa. I have done 22 festivals so far this season. McGlawns has sent me a Certificate for all events with speed and accuracy. I have twelve more festivals before I settle down for a long winters nap……

• Bryan // Aug 3, 2009 at 10:20 am

  Contact your local Shelter agency – and find out all the people or groups you will need to add to your policy. In Nashville I am required to have a Million in coverage – and have Metro Nashville as additional insured – and it only cost me $125.00 a year

• fred // Aug 3, 2009 at 8:39 pm

  I have my cart insused with nationwide in maryland. I’m insured for $500.00 yearly

• Tim // Aug 4, 2009 at 6:51 pm

  State Farm here in Indiana about $300.00 a year

• Bryan // Aug 4, 2009 at 9:18 pm

  Contact your local Shelter agency – and find out all the people or groups you will need to add to your policy. In Nashville I am required to have a Million in coverage – and have Metro Nashville as additional insured – and it only cost me $125.00 a year

• Tim/Get Grilled // Aug 6, 2009 at 5:54 am

  Thanks everyone. I got that insurance and will be rollingt out Saturday with a lot better feeling in my gut. Traveler’s insurance was the winner. The next time I am in Texas, Frank, I will make sure to drop in and get one of those Texas dogs.
  Hi Pocono, and only you know who you are, I would like it if you dropped me an e-mail i have a few questions for you.

  Again thanks everyone. I hope I get a chance to meet you guys and gals personally someday. Your awesome! Push Steve to get that association we talked about started. He knows what i am talking about. See ya in the next blog. Let’s push his contest. He has done a lot for us, let’s return the favor

• Clarence Burrell, Jr. // Aug 6, 2009 at 11:54 am

  My wife, Sheila, started Burrell’s Hot Dogs Unlimited, in West Point, VA. Things are beginning topick up, We are looking for insurance also, so thanks for the info.

• Leonor // Aug 6, 2009 at 5:32 pm

  Steve thanks again for all your help!

• Gina // Aug 6, 2009 at 6:04 pm

  good info thanks

• Margie Cochran // Aug 7, 2009 at 5:29 am

  I have been in the business for 5 years. It was difficult trying to find an Ins. carrier that would cover vending business. Most do not have
  vending policies and have to “build” one for you.
  I have paid as much as 500.00 a year. Finally found Josh Witt at (toll free) 800 951-4196 or
  865 670-0911

  info@hotdogvendorinsurance.com (Knoxville)
  I currently carry 2million $ for @ 250.00 per year.
  Just tell him Margie (Dog Gone Dog’s )reccomended him and he will know what you need.

• leonard clifford // Aug 7, 2009 at 4:29 pm

  I HAVE BEEN SELLING CARS 35 YEARS AND HATE THE WINTER MY HOPE IS TO BE OUT OF THE CAR BUSINESS BY FEB AND LOOK IN TO THIS LINE OF FUN THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP I WILL KEEP READING AND WILL ACT TO GET IN CLASS I NEED TO HAVE FUN THANK YOU LEONARD CLIFFORD

• Jim // Aug 7, 2009 at 7:49 pm

  Message to BRYAN: hey man where in Nashville are ya?

• Tim/Get Grilled // Aug 8, 2009 at 5:47 am

  Great Idea Jim. All you doggers out there send me an email at tim@getgrilled foods.com give me your locations. That way when i am traveling I can stop in get a dog and say hi.

  Pocono, still waiting to hear from you. You out there?

• Rick Forness // Aug 8, 2009 at 6:14 am

  My coverage costs $193.00 a year and has total bus coverage with product liaiabilty. Additional insured are extra for different events.This is a must for anyone selling food as there are some sue happy people out there. I use American Family . They cover the whole 9 yards, house, cars and cart. This lowers the price somewhat.

• Athena West // Aug 8, 2009 at 7:31 am

  I have dreamed of owning a hot dog cart for over 25 years. I got laid off from a GREAT job with a BIG company last December and had to take the first job that came along, paying a LOT less than what I was making. Now, my dream of a hot dog business is burning a hole in my brain.
  Now that I make so much less money, I am looking at having to move to an apartment to stay afloat, not sure how that would mess up “owning” a cart. Every penny I make has to be accounted for now, but I have been thinking about cashing in a portion of my old 401K to purchase Steve’s program, and buy a cart.

  I’d love to hear from anyone who might have been in same position as I was in.

• Tim/Get Grilled // Aug 8, 2009 at 5:28 pm

  Athena ask Steve any questions you have. Buy his course that will give you all you need to know about getting started. He is “King Weenie”, trust me.

• jim // Aug 8, 2009 at 9:16 pm

  I have my insurance with state farm 1000.000 general liabilty 2,000,00 aggergate plus 5,000 comp on my cart for 27.20 a month in Minnesota

• Jim // Aug 9, 2009 at 7:00 am

  Athena-like Tim sez buy Steve’s book And remember the 3 most important rules for success in the Dogosphere-LOCATION,LOCATION & LOCATION!Wishing you good luck-Jim

• Kath // Aug 12, 2009 at 1:50 pm

  We got insurance from an agent in out home town that told us he was getting us the best insurance available…for $1012.00 a year. We’re new and our first payment was $262.00!!!
  Needed a fast binder and payed it. Later called around and found STATE FARM in Apple Valley CA. They insured us on projected sales which was easier for us to afford, until we begin to make ends meet. Remember guys, we still need to be able to afford weiners!! Ask for Elizabeth 760-247-8848 (tell her Ike’s sent you)

• steve // Aug 12, 2009 at 1:56 pm

  Kath,

  Wow, you were getting hosed. I’m glad you called around.

  It pays to compare carriers every year or two.

  -Steve

• jim // Aug 16, 2009 at 5:11 pm

  try state farm ins, i have 1,000,000 general lilabilty with 2,000,000 aggreate and also covers my cart for 5,000 comp for 348.00 a year

• Mike Zavorski // Aug 20, 2009 at 8:49 am

  I’m looking for a used Stand In Food Vendor/Hot Dog Trailer
  I’m located in Philadelphia

  Any suggestions

• Brook / Slap Happy Dogs // Nov 2, 2009 at 6:23 pm

  Washington State here — Jim, you said you have State Farm Insurance (“1000.000 general liabilty 2,000,00 aggergate plus 5,000 comp on my cart for 27.20 a month in Minnesota”) That’s a great rate but DON’T WE NEED TO INSURE OUR TOWING VEHICLE IN THE SAME POLICY AS OUR CART? I was told once you hook your cart up to your car/truck it is no longer a family vehicle and it potentially falls into a different category. Hopefully someone can clarify this point for me.

• Brook / Slap Happy Dogs // Nov 4, 2009 at 1:05 pm

  Washington State — I just got a quote from Duncan and Associates. They quoted me an annual premium of $1701. GULP!! Never in their dreams would I pay that amount and certainly not after reading comments made in this forum. If anyone has a thought on who I can contact for insurance, please let me know.

• Tim's Road Dogs // Mar 11, 2010 at 6:44 pm

  I just received an insurance quote today from my insurance agent. $1,600 a year for 1 mil liability, 5g covered for the cart with a projected sales of 50g a year. Can anybody help me? I read the blogs and it doesn’t seem to be the norm, or is it because I live in NJ?

• Smokey I's // Apr 12, 2010 at 11:14 pm

  @Tim’s Road Dogs, I also live in NJ (Bergen County) and I’m having trouble finding insurance. Have you found insurance yet? If so can you recommend.

  Thank you.

• JP // May 7, 2010 at 2:30 pm

  I got a quote for $900/yr from my auto insurance company. That sounded ridiculously high to me, so I called State Farm, who ended up saving me well over a thousand per year in insurance premiums by switching all of my policies over. I pay $235/yr for my business ins, which covers replacement cost of my cart and a million bucks liability. It pays (literally) to shop around.

• Chris // May 19, 2010 at 10:17 am

  Getting all of my information together to start my own Hot Dog Cart here in Bucyrus, OH. Looking for insurance but what do I need? Do i need a combination? One for the cart and one for the business? Also do I need to get a D.B.A?
  Thanks.

• steve // May 19, 2010 at 1:24 pm

  Chris,

  As far as insurance, commissaries, permits, locations, inspections, and all the other details required to be successful, I’m going to give it to you straight.

  Here’s what I recommend:

  If you’ve never done this before, you need to get my course “Hot Dog Biz 101″. You’ll learn more there than you would in a month of expensive and stressful trial and error at the job site.

  It’s really an investment in your success. Go ahead and order it today. I’ll ship it to you via Priority Mail so you’ll get it in 2-3 days.

  Read it through and if you decide it’s not for you, just send it back and I’ll give you your money back

  Think of it as a risk free trial.

  You can get it at http://www.HotDogBiz101.com

• janet // Jun 1, 2011 at 11:20 am

  suggestions for hot dog liability in jersey anyone? Just need it for 2 or 3 events.

• Ron Ortega // Jul 1, 2011 at 11:41 am

  While our Insurance Program is primarily for Mobile Food Trucks we also write Hot Dog Vendors in 33 states. Visit us at http://www.mobilefoodvendorsinsurance.com or call us at 512-338-1191.

• dave // Oct 6, 2011 at 4:47 pm

  Hi my name is dave and I am just getting started here in bloomington indiana and I see that tim got insured through state farm. But I had just got told today they can’t do that kinda insurance..anyways I have one more ?.. is it in the best interest to get a inc. , LLC. Behind your buisness or not.. I have been told it is…how many of you have that

• Dennis // Nov 10, 2011 at 8:50 am

  Dave, I live in Indiana and am switching to State Farms from Traveler’s today. Maybe you need a face to face with your agent. Good Luck