Alishahi InsuranceIndependent Insurance Broker
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Who insures it · 2 named markets · read 2026-10-28

Who insures hookah lounges?

Hookah lounges 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.

2 markets publicly write hookah lounges: Professional Program Insurance Brokerage (PPIB), division of Specialty Program Group, RMS Hospitality Group (program division of RMS Insurance Brokerage). 2 program administrators.

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.

MarketWhat they say they writeWherePaperSource
Professional Program Insurance Brokerage (PPIB), division of Specialty Program Group
Program administrator		Smoke shop liability program; "Hookah Lounges" is listed under "What Operations Can Be Covered Under Smoke shop Insurance" alongside smoke shops, vape shops, tobacco distributors and e-liquid manufacturers/distributors.
“Hookah Lounges”		nationwide ("Coverages For Smoke Shop Insurance Offered Nationwide")not statedppibcorp.com · read 2026-10-28
RMS Hospitality Group (program division of RMS Insurance Brokerage)
Program administrator		Lounge program covering lounges with light live music entertainment, cigar bars, hookah and light food fare.
“offering coverage for lounges with light live music entertainment, cigar bars, hookah, and light food fare.”		not statednot statedrmshg.com · read 2026-10-28

Only 2 verifiable markets after a genuine attempt. Hedge Specialty's bar/nightclub appetite page says hookah-only lounges need closer review (not an appetite statement). No hookah pages were found on Burns & Wilcox, Amwins, CRC, RT Specialty, Nautilus, USG, Kinsale or XINSURANCE sites; the MyNewMarkets 'CBD/Tobacco/Hookah Vendor Program' is a special-event CBD-vendor product. Lead-agent checks on 2026-10-28: XINSURANCE's sitemaps and Prime's product index have no hookah page.

How hookah lounges 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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