Alishahi InsuranceIndependent Insurance Broker
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Who insures it · 6 named markets · read 2026-10-28

Who insures nightclubs and bars with live entertainment?

Nightclubs and bars with live entertainment 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.

6 markets publicly write nightclubs and bars with live entertainment: RMS Hospitality Group (program division of RMS Insurance Brokerage), Illinois Casualty Company (ICC), USLI, Kinsale Insurance Company, USG Insurance Services and others. 2 admitted carriers, 2 wholesalers, 1 program administrator, 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.

MarketWhat they say they writeWherePaperSource
RMS Hospitality Group (program division of RMS Insurance Brokerage)
Program administrator		Nightclub program: commercial liability for clubs with live music, DJs, dance floors, bars, food service and valet; sister programs for live music venues, lounges, sports bars, pubs & taverns, jazz clubs, comedy clubs; liquor liability and assault & battery via carrier partners.
“We provide commercial liability insurance for clubs with live music, DJs, dance floors, bars, food service”		not statednot statedrmshg.com · read 2026-10-28
Illinois Casualty Company (ICC)
Admitted carrier		Nightclub and gentlemen's club insurance program plus a tavern program for bars; food-and-beverage-only carrier.
“We're the nightclub and gentlemen's club insurance specialists.”		18 states (homepage: "ICC is an admitted carrier in eighteen states.")Admittedilcasco.com · read 2026-10-28
USLI
Admitted carrier		Bars, taverns, sports bars, cocktail lounges and pubs including bands and major entertainment, bouncers/security, youthful clientele, prior losses considered; liquor liability; new ventures eligible.
“Our Coverage Is Built for a Broad Range of Bar and Nightlife Risks:”		not stated ("New ventures eligible in most states")not statedunderwritingupdates.usli.com · read 2026-10-28
Kinsale Insurance Company
E&S carrier		General Casualty hospitality target classes: bars & lounges, nightclubs & gentlemen's clubs; liquor liability; impairment liability for venues selling THC products.
“Liquor liability risks: Restaurants, bars, nightclubs, gentlemen's clubs, liquor stores, convenience stores”		liquor liability in all states except Georgia and Michigan; impairment liability in select statesnot statedkinsaleins.com · read 2026-10-28
USG Insurance Services
Wholesaler		Hospitality placements for bars/taverns, nightclubs, gentlemen's clubs, hotels/motels, restaurants; liquor liability with a Night Club, Gentlemen's Club, Bar, Restaurant, Tavern application. Self-described national wholesale broker and MGA.
“Bars/Taverns, Convenience Stores, Gentlemen's Clubs, Hotels/Motels, Nightclubs, Restaurants”		all states (homepage: "USG writes business in all states")Surplus linesusgins.com · read 2026-10-28
XINSURANCE (Evolution Insurance Brokers, LC)
Wholesaler		Liquor liability and all-in-one liability for bars, nightclubs and taverns including security guards, alleged assault & battery and active shooter coverage.
“Our insurance solutions for bars, nightclubs, and taverns have an all-in-one approach providing coverage for security guards,”		not statedSurplus linesxinsurance.com · read 2026-10-28

Six markets verified. Cochrane & Company and M.J. Hall & Company program pages exist only on CompleteMarkets; their own sites do not name nightclubs, so they were dropped. Founders Insurance's site has no product content.

How nightclubs and bars with live entertainment 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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