Six Ways to Reduce a Food Trucks Exposure of Being Robbed

Local news stations in Los Angeles were buzzing about the two recent food truck robberies last week. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/01/video-captures-robbbery-of-koreatown-food-truck.html)
I hope this doesn't become an escalating trend in LA or other cities. Unfortunately, food trucks are targets for a number of reasons...

• Almost all cash transactions.
• Depending on the city, some food trucks are forced to park on dark and secluded side streets due to regulations on their proximity to brick and mortar restaurants.
• Each food truck only has 2 to 3 people and easy access to unlocked side/back doors.
• Most food trucks are not outfitted with any type of security cameras or features. 
• Tend to operate evenings or late nights.

Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race series revealed some insight to the industry and how food trucks operate. It also showed how food trucks were collecting thousands of dollars in cash...this potentially got would-be robbers thinking about their next target.

There are some elements of a property insurance policy that can protect truck owners from a loss resulting from a robbery. So be aware you can purchase an insurance policy that includes this coverage. However, the cost to add the coverage "may" outweigh the chances of it actually happening to your truck.  By deciding not to purchase the insurance, you have decided to self-insure the exposure/risk.

Whether or not you decide to purchase property insurance, it still makes sense to implement some risk management tactics to protect your income and employees. Some areas of risk management/loss control to potentially consider implementing are:

• Purchase a wireless credit card processing system to reduce the amount of cash on hand.
• Have periodic cash pick-ups by a manager or cash service.
• Mount exterior lights on truck to brighten up the area around the truck at night.
• Lock all side/back doors at all times or just evening services.
• Mount dummy or real cameras with a notice that security cameras are in use.
• Use the old buddy system and try to park with other food trucks. There is safety in numbers.

All six of these suggestions may help reduce the risk of a robbery. If you have any other ideas, I suggest you leave a comment with your idea on reducing the risk of a robbery. I'm sure other food truck operators would appreciate your comments.

As always, contact me for all your food related or anything on wheels insurance needs.

Why You Shouldn't Get Auto Quotes DIRECT From Progressive Insurance

Progressive Insurance is definitely a viable option for food truck or catering truck auto insurance. Progressive is an insurance company that you can access "directly" (via their website, etc) or by an appointed Progressive "broker". In the past, it seemed Progressive's Auto policies were a little more expensive than most insurance companies.  However, Progressive is becoming more of a competitive player for Auto insurance as the food truck industry matures.

I recently had a food truck client that decided to purchase an Auto policy "direct" from Progressive and then a General Liability policy from CateringTruckInsurance.com. There is a significant disadvantage to that structure because it creates more work for the food truck owner when requesting certificates of insurance. Now the truck owner will need to contact their insurance broker (for the General Liability, Workers' Compensation, etc) AND Progressive to get the necessary evidence of insurance to drive onto that lot. So that means two separate calls/emails for two separate certificates of insurance for each event. Why make it hard on yourself? Streamline this process by selecting one broker to represent your risk in the market place. Most importantly, select a broker that is an expert in the industry.