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

Who insures exotic animals and zoos?

Exotic animals and zoos 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 exotic animals and zoos: K&K Insurance - Zoo and Aquarium program, Great American Insurance Group - Specialty Human Services (Aquarium and Zoo), Amwins Underwriting (Equisure) - Livestock Insurance Program, XINSURANCE (Evolution Insurance Brokers / Prime Insurance Company) - Exotic Pet Liability, Prime Insurance Company - Exotic Pets. 2 MGAs, 1 admitted carrier, 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
K&K Insurance - Zoo and Aquarium program MGA	GL and property for walk-through and drive-through zoos, animal sanctuaries open to the public, aquariums, drive-through wildlife/safari parks; prefers AZA-certified facilities with 24-hour security; three years zoo management experience and USDA licensing required; amusement ride liability available “Commercial general liability and property zoo insurance designed for walk-through and drive-through zoos, animal sanctuaries, and aquariums.”	not stated (page: may not be available to all applicants in all states)	Admitted	kandkinsurance.com · read 2026-10-28
Great American Insurance Group - Specialty Human Services (Aquarium and Zoo) Admitted carrier	Nonprofit zoos, aquariums, aviaries, sanctuaries, wildlife preservation: package with GL, professional liability including veterinarians, abuse or molestation, third-party crime, inland marine, hired/non-owned auto; owned auto, A&H for volunteers, D&O/EPL, umbrella “Our coverages for zoos and other nonprofit animal organizations provide specific coverages to protect your unique exposures.”	not stated	not stated	greatamericaninsurancegroup.com · read 2026-10-28
Amwins Underwriting (Equisure) - Livestock Insurance Program MGA	Animal mortality, disease and transit coverage for zoos, aquariums and safari parks (giant pandas, penguins, dolphins, exotic fish), high-valued individual animals for breeding or showing, canines/working dogs, dairy and beef operations, livestock in transit “Zoos, aquariums, and safari parks”	all U.S. states	both	amwins.com · read 2026-10-28
XINSURANCE (Evolution Insurance Brokers / Prime Insurance Company) - Exotic Pet Liability Wholesaler	Exotic animal liability for owners, including exotic animals owned as part of a business or profession; personal and commercial liability. Self-described as an excess and surplus lines insurance brokerage placing with an unlicensed surplus lines insurer (Prime) “This coverage can cover the liability risks associated with owning an exotic animal as part of a business or profession.”	not stated	Surplus lines	xinsurance.com · read 2026-10-28
Prime Insurance Company - Exotic Pets E&S carrier	Exotic animal liability: birds, big cats, monkeys, reptiles, tortoises, rabbits, horses, wolves, foxes, pigs; exotic pet owners and exotic pet trainers; animal liability, personal liability, property; on-site risk management “Prime Insurance Company can offer coverage if the pet is involved in an accident, causing physical or emotional injury”	all 50 states	Surplus lines	primeis.com · read 2026-10-28

Five markets verified. American Specialty's zoo program appears only on CompleteMarkets (its own homepage has no zoo content) and was dropped. Amwins/Equisure covers animal mortality and transit rather than liability; XINSURANCE and Prime cover exotic animal liability for owners and trainers rather than zoos. Type note: XINSURANCE is listed as a wholesaler (its site: 'an excess and surplus lines insurance brokerage') for consistency across the dataset.

How exotic animals and zoos 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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