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

Who insures Pawn shops?

Pawn shops 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 Pawn shops: XINSURANCE, Arlington/Roe. 2 wholesalers. 1 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
XINSURANCE
Wholesaler		Pawn shop package: commercial general liability, property, products liability, inland marine, firearms/weapons liability, assault & battery, active shooter, D&O, professional liability and umbrella; commercial auto and firearms liability 'available in most states'; offered through an unlicensed surplus lines insurer.
“XINSURANCE provides customized insurance solutions for pawn shops that minimizes exposure and maximizes true peace of mind.”		not statedSurplus linesxinsurance.com · read 2026-10-28
Arlington/Roe
Wholesaler		Retail & services placements; 'Pawnbrokers' is a listed class with an assigned industry contact.
“Pawnbrokers”		All states (producer territories listed; Midwest target market per home page)not statedarlingtonroe.com · read 2026-10-28

1 verified. Jewelers Mutual returns 403 to fetches so could not be verified; Marshall & Sterling's pawnbrokers page is agency marketing naming no program or carrier (excluded); National Pawnbrokers Association home names no insurer; Prime, Kinsale, Admiral, Burns & Wilcox and USLI pages name no pawn class. The shared WebSearch budget was exhausted this turn, so candidates came from the assigned list and were verified by direct WebFetch only; several domain safety checks were rate-limited and retried once. Parent re-check 10/28: Arlington/Roe retail-services page lists 'Pawnbrokers' (added).

How Pawn shops 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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