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

Who insures petting zoos and animal sanctuaries?

Petting zoos and animal sanctuaries 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 petting zoos and animal sanctuaries: K&K Insurance - Zoo and Aquarium / animal attraction program, Great American Insurance Group - Specialty Human Services (animal organizations), XINSURANCE (Evolution Insurance Brokers / Prime Insurance Company) - Animal Shelter Insurance, Nationwide - Agritourism (farm policy packaged with commercial liability), Prime Insurance Company. 2 admitted carriers, 1 MGA, 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 / animal attraction program MGA	Petting zoos (stationary; mobile petting zoos are not eligible) and animal sanctuaries open to the public under its animal attraction program; GL and property; three years zoo management experience and USDA licensing required “Petting zoos and animal sanctuaries open to the public may also qualify for coverage”	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 (animal organizations) Admitted carrier	Nonprofit animal sanctuaries, wildlife preservation, zoos, aquariums, aviaries; package GL, professional liability including veterinarians, abuse or molestation, special events, volunteer accident coverage “Our products and underwriting services are designed to meet the specific needs of animal sanctuaries and organizations.”	not stated	not stated	greatamericaninsurancegroup.com · read 2026-10-28
XINSURANCE (Evolution Insurance Brokers / Prime Insurance Company) - Animal Shelter Insurance Wholesaler	Animal shelters, animal rescues, animal sanctuaries (listed under 'Who We Can Help'): customized liability including volunteers, scheduled special events and fundraisers, optional coverage for foster parents “Yes, XINSURANCE provides animal rescue insurance solutions.”	not stated (page: commercial auto 'Available in most states')	Surplus lines	xinsurance.com · read 2026-10-28
Nationwide - Agritourism (farm policy packaged with commercial liability) Admitted carrier	Petting zoos on farms, along with corn mazes, on-premises hay rides and fall fun-fests, as agritourism packaged with the farm policy (AgriChoice Plus for commercial exposures); not available for off-premises hay rides, inflatables or cut-your-own Christmas trees “Petting zoos”	not stated (page: availability varies by state)	not stated	nationwide.com · read 2026-10-28
Prime Insurance Company E&S carrier	Agritainment liability for farms and fall-related businesses; 'Petting Zoos' listed among businesses insured (with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides, haunted houses); page says Prime has written the agritourism industry for over 40 years “These activities include hayrides, pumpkin patches, petting zoos, axe throwing, corn mazes, and more.”	all 50 states (page: 'Prime Insurance Company writes in all 50 states of the USA')	Surplus lines	primeis.com · read 2026-10-28

Four markets verified. K&K is the only one naming petting zoos as a standalone attraction and it excludes mobile petting zoos; Nationwide covers petting zoos only as an agritourism add-on to a farm policy. No market for mobile petting zoos or pony rides was verifiable on its own site. Prime's agritainment page (verified by the lead agent on 2026-10-28) lists 'Petting Zoos' among insured businesses.

How petting zoos and animal sanctuaries 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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