Who insures it · 5 named markets · read 2026-10-28

Who insures amusement rides and carnivals?

Amusement rides and carnivals is a risk most standard carriers decline on sight. The markets below say in their own published appetite or program pages that they write it; each line links to that page with the date it was read.

5 markets publicly write amusement rides and carnivals: McGowan Allied Specialty Insurance, Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, XINSURANCE (DBA of Evolution Insurance Brokers, LC), Prime Insurance Company, American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services, Inc.. 3 program administrators, 1 wholesaler, 1 E&S carrier. 1 on admitted paper. 2 through surplus lines.

By Sam Alishahi, independent insurance broker

The markets

Who says they write it

From each market's own appetite, product or program page (or a trade article quoting it), read on the date shown. Appetites change: the linked page controls. A market listed here isn't necessarily one this agency is appointed with; a licensed broker reaches most of them directly or through a wholesaler.

Market	What they say they write	Where	Paper	Source
McGowan Allied Specialty Insurance Program administrator	Carnivals from small local-fair carnivals to large traveling carnivals: carnival rides, concessions, carnival event cancellation, general liability. Separate pages for amusement parks ('From the tallest ferris wheel to the smallest kiddie ride'), independent carnival ride operators (Amusement Ride Liability, Carnival Ride Insurance, Ride Operator Insurance, equipment breakdown for rides) and fairs “Whether you are running a small carnival at a local fair or managing a large-scale traveling carnival,”	nationwide / across the United States (Areas We Serve page)	not stated	mcgowanallied.com · read 2026-10-28
Haas & Wilkerson Insurance Program administrator	Specialty programs for the industry niches listed on the page: amusement parks, carnivals, fairs, festivals, concessions, agritainment, family entertainment centers, rodeos, trampoline parks, waterparks. Coverages include general liability, excess, property, inland marine, liquor, commercial auto, cyber, EPL, professional, weather/event cancellation, workers' compensation. Self-described third-gen “Since 1939, we’ve provided insurance for thousands of amusements and entertainment organizations”	not stated	not stated	hwins.com · read 2026-10-28
XINSURANCE (DBA of Evolution Insurance Brokers, LC) Wholesaler	Amusement and recreation industry: business types listed are Amusement Parks, Carnivals, Trampoline Parks, Inflatables, Go-Kart Tracks, Ride Manufacturers; liability for rides, games and attractions, participant liability. Self-described 'excess and surplus lines insurance brokerage' (affiliated with Prime Insurance Company). “Each ride, game, or attraction in your amusement park, carnival, or entertainment facility”	not stated on this page (XINSURANCE's amusement-rides article states 'Our coverage is available in all 50 states')	Surplus lines	xinsurance.com · read 2026-10-28
Prime Insurance Company E&S carrier	Amusement and recreation liability. Nature-of-business list: Amusement Parks; Rollercoasters and Other Amusement Rides; Carnivals; Inflatables and Bounce Houses; Trampoline Parks; Fairs, Festivals, and Special Events. Attractions list: amusement parks and theme parks, carnival rides, go-carts, rodeos, inflatables. “We can insure amusement parks and attractions across the country!”	all 50 states ('writes E&S business in all 50 states')	Surplus lines	primeis.com · read 2026-10-28
American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services, Inc. Program administrator	Amusement and theme parks of all sizes; family entertainment centers and family fun centers (go-karts, batting cages, miniature golf, bowling alleys, rock climbing walls); exposures include petting zoos, animal rides, amusement and train rides. Property and casualty programs offered 'through exclusive underwriting management'. “We're proud to insure amusement and theme parks of all sizes,”	all 50 states ('PROGRAM AVAILABLE IN ALL 50 STATES')	Admitted	americanspecialty.com · read 2026-10-28

K&K Insurance Group (MGU, Aon subsidiary) verified only a limited ride appetite on its US site: the Tourist Attractions program allows 'no more than three ancillary adult amusement rides' with Amusement Ride Liability written on an admitted basis (amusement parks and family entertainment centers are listed as not eligible), and the Fairs & Fairgrounds program carries Contingent Ride Liability 'Written on an Admitted Basis in Most States'; its separate amusement/aerial pages on insure.kandkinsurance.com returned 403. Britton Gallagher now redirects to Acrisure (no amusement page found); Cossio

How amusement rides and carnivals gets placed

Standard markets first where any will look at it; when they won't, the placement goes through surplus lines, where a licensed surplus lines broker places it with an eligible non-admitted insurer and files the state's surplus lines tax and stamping forms. In California, risks on the Department of Insurance export list can go to surplus lines without the usual diligent search of admitted carriers. Surplus lines policies aren't backed by a state guaranty fund, so the insurer's financial rating matters more.

What an underwriter will want before quoting: a full description of the operation, years in business and the owners' experience, revenue or payroll, loss runs (five years where available, currently valued), the contracts or venue requirements that set the limits, and photos or safety plans where the hazard is physical.

I'm licensed in 49 states and Washington, DC and your request stays with my agency, not passed to another agent. In Florida, where my licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime.

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