Insurance for Beeks with a Few Hives

**ErnieB** · 03-31-2010, 03:02 PM

Can anyone recommend an insurance company that writes a liability policy for a beekeeper with 10 or fewer hives. I have a quote from the Texas Insurance Company that was listed on the website of the American Beekeeper Federation. Their policy seems to be primarily for commercial activities.

**honeydreams** · 03-31-2010, 03:44 PM

Why do you even think you need insurance? second if your a hobby beek your homeowners insurance may cover you if you think there might be a "litagation"

**JohnBeeMan** · 03-31-2010, 03:58 PM

I have a special policy through Farm Bereau for my bees. When I first contacted them, they wanted to also unwrite my homeowners policy. But, when the agent showed up and saw all my junk, he said they would skip the homeowners policy.

**Beeslave** · 03-31-2010, 04:28 PM

Don't mention bees to your insurance agent. Just ask for an umbrella policy.

**honeydreams** · 03-31-2010, 05:42 PM

good choice beeslave.

**iwombat** · 03-31-2010, 08:31 PM

Beeslave, problem with that is if you sell dollar #1 of any products, your homeowner's policy will not cover you. If you never plan on selling a single jar your homeowner's will do just fine.

**ErnieB** · 04-01-2010, 07:55 AM

My aim is to establish a few hives in a location away from my home. Hence, my homeowner policy would not be of help. My homeowners insurance company declares that beekeeping is a high-risk activity and will not write a supplemental liability policy that would cover beekeeping. They opined that they would review my rates the next time my policy is renewed and that they would have limited liability for a claim involving bees located at my home. A lot of people seem to be relying on their homeowner policy for coverage. That might not be a good bet.

**DaveinDeal** · 04-01-2010, 11:34 AM

are you a member of a local beekeeper assosiation??

here in the UK if your a full member of the local assosoiation your covered by the groups liablity insurance for up to 6 hives, then you can buy additional cover at £1 ($1.50) for every hive there after...

not sure if they offer the same sort of thing with the assosiations over the pond but worth finding out if your not a member of any yet.

**Walt B** · 04-01-2010, 01:20 PM

Just realized I missed the relevant part of the first message and my response was stupid...been a long day!

Walt

**Beeslave** · 04-01-2010, 10:21 PM

If you want the liability insurance because of the risk of being sued from someone getting stung and the bees are not at your house the umbrella policy should cover it. I went through this with my insurance company. I was told I would be covered even if the bees were not at my house.