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Beekeeper Insurance Policy Information

Beekeeper Insurance. Plenty of people keep bees to produce enough honey for their family or simply as a hobby - but commercial beekeepers will keep numerous hives, which have the potential to bring profit in a variety of different ways.

Beekeepers or apiarists collect bees' honey and other products such as pollen, beeswax, and royal jelly, place hives to pollinate crops, and/or to produce bees for sale to other beekeepers.

Bees live in hives that have traditionally been constructed of wood but are now available in polystyrene. Hives have removable covers and frames in which bees build honeycomb, allowing the beekeeper to inspect the hive for signs of disease (such as Colony Collapse Disorder) or parasites, an aging queen which means imminent swarming, or other conditions that require intervention.

The removable frames permit easy harvesting of honey and other products. Frames may be hung as an aid in pollination. The beekeeper may sell all its honey to manufacturers or may process all or some for retail sale.

If you are a commercial beekeeper, you will be thrilled to make your living by doing something you love - but nonetheless, you and your business are also exposed to some very real threats that could jeopardize your future plans.

Why is beekeeper insurance so important in safeguarding your apiarist business, and what kinds of coverage are needed? For more information, keep reading.

Beekeeper insurance protects apiarist businesses from lawsuits with rates as low as $37/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked apiarist insurance questions:

• What Is Beekeeper Insurance Insurance?
• How Much Does Beekeeper Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Beekeepers Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Beekeepers Need?
• What Does Beekeeper Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Why Do Beekeepers Need Insurance?

Commercial beekeepers need to arm themselves with top-notch insurance for multiple reasons. Those who want to participate in sales fairs will need insurance, as do those who are planning on applying for a business loan.

The most compelling reason to carefully evaluate your insurance options is even simpler, though - as a beekeeper, you could face perils that endanger your business at any time, and carrying the right insurance is your best line of defense.

The beekeeper and anyone else who may be on the premises may suffer a variety of injuries over the course of beekeeping, ranging from bee stings to back injuries from the improper lifting of hives and burns while using smokers.

Your hives, beekeeping equipment, and inventory could suffer heavy losses or become completely destroyed as a result of acts of nature, like wildfires or serious floods. Theft and vandalism are two further threats, and if visitors to your premises, such as potential customers or vendors, are injured by your bees, they may decide to file a lawsuit.

In arming yourself with carefully-selected coverage, you prepare yourself for minor mishaps and major perils alike, thereby giving you peace of mind - when you know that you have done everything in your power to protect your colonies and your business, you can focus on what you do best.

Although this brief guide is aimed at commercial apiarists, it is also important for hobbyist beekeepers to realize that they, too, may require specialized beekeeper insurance, as their homeowners' insurance may not cover their hives.

Beekeeper's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures are moderate as visitors may be stung by bees. Emergency medication should be available to treat allergic reactions. Apiaries are often visited by school-age children, other tour groups, and customers who can trip and fall on uneven walking surfaces or housekeeping hazards.

Visitors should be accompanied by an employee. All exits should be adequately marked. Bee droppings can cause damage to the paint on automobiles or equipment that is stored in the open under a significant bee flight pattern.

Hives may pose an attractive nuisance to children and teens. Appropriate precautions should be taken to prevent unauthorized access.

Products liability exposures are moderate due to the potential for contamination of honey, honeycomb, and royal jelly and, if raising bees, the passage of disease to a healthy hive. Effective procedures are required to ensure that stock remains healthy. There should be an effective working recall program that can be activated immediately.

Workers compensation exposures are moderate due to the interaction with bees that can sting employees. Protective clothing should be used, particularly to protect the face and neck. Emergency medication should be available to treat allergic reaction to stings.

Workers may be seasonal, speak another language, and lack adequate training and supervision. Slips, trips, falls, back injuries from lifting, foreign object in the eye, and muscle strains are common. Exposure to smoke can lead to respiratory issues.

Property exposures are light as hives are inexpensive. Beekeeping does not require a lot of equipment unless the beekeeper processes honey and honey comb for retail sale. Severe winds and tornados may destroy property in certain geographical areas. Fuel used in smokers may start a fire if it encounters combustibles.

Crime exposures are from employee dishonesty and theft but are relatively minor if there are no retail or delivery operations. Pre-employment checks should be conducted for employees. Inventory controls should be in place. All ordering, billing and disbursements should be separated.

A money and securities exposure exists if there are retail operations on premises or if products are delivered to customers. Some operations equip the hives with a Global Positioning System (GPS) to aid in recovering the hive in the event of a theft.

Inland marine exposures may include accounts receivable if the beekeeper bills customers, computers, goods in transit, and valuable papers and records for documents needed to substantiate FDA requirements and product information that may be needed in case of a recall.

Goods in transit may be condemned as unfit for consumption in the event of collision or overturn. Overturn of vehicles transporting bees can cause significant losses.

Commercial auto exposures may be limited to hired and non-owned if carriers or processors transport products to processing centers. If the beekeeper transports its own stock, the exposure increases. Drivers must be appropriately licensed and have acceptable MVRs.

Vehicles must be well maintained with records kept. Overturn of vehicles transporting hives can cause considerable damage when the bees swarm and the colony moves to a location within a nearby building.

What Does Beekeeper Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Beekeeping, like any other business or hobby, can sometimes lead to disputes and potential lawsuits. The reasons for such legal issues can be varied. Here are some examples:

1. Personal Injury: One of the most common reasons for beekeepers getting sued is personal injury. This could be due to bee stings or an allergic reaction someone may have to bee stings. In such a situation, the affected party may sue the beekeeper for medical expenses, pain, and suffering.

Having a general liability insurance policy can help in such cases. This insurance can cover legal costs, including lawyer fees, court costs, and any settlements or judgments up to the policy's limit. It's important for beekeepers to have sufficient coverage to protect against potential personal injury claims.

2. Property Damage: Beekeepers can also be sued if their bees cause damage to someone else's property. This could be due to the bees themselves (e.g., if a swarm damages a vehicle) or as a result of the beekeeper's actions (e.g., if a hive structure collapses and damages a neighbor's fence).

Property damage is typically covered under a commercial general liability insurance policy. This type of policy would cover the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property, as well as any related legal costs.

3. Product Liability: If a beekeeper sells honey or other bee-related products, they could potentially be sued if a customer becomes ill after consuming their product or if the product causes harm in some way. For example, a customer could have an allergic reaction to the honey or a product could be contaminated.

Product liability insurance is designed to cover these types of claims. This insurance would cover the cost of defending against a product liability claim, as well as any settlements or judgments that may be awarded.

4. Environmental Damage: Bees play a critical role in our ecosystem, particularly through pollination. However, if a beekeeper's practices lead to environmental harm (for instance, if bees are spreading pesticides or diseases to local flora and fauna), they may face a lawsuit.

An environmental liability insurance policy could help cover the costs associated with such a lawsuit. These policies can cover the cost of legal defense, as well as the costs associated with repairing the environmental damage.

In summary, beekeeping can lead to a variety of potential legal issues. However, by having the appropriate insurance coverage, beekeepers can protect themselves financially from potential lawsuits.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 0279 Animal Specialties, Not Elsewhere Classified
• NAICS CODE: 112910 Apiculture
• Suggested ISO Farm & ISO General Liability Code(s): 03518, 03519, 03618, 03619, 03718, 03719, 03818, 03819
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 0034 Farm - Poultry or Egg Producer & Drivers

Description for 0279: Animal Specialties, Not Elsewhere Classified

Division A: Agriculture, Forestry, And Fishing | Major Group 02: Agriculture production livestock and animal specialties | Industry Group 027: Animal Specialties

0279 Animal Specialties, Not Elsewhere Classified: Establishments primarily engaged in the production of animal specialties, not elsewhere classified, such as pets, bees, worms, and laboratory animals. This industry also includes establishments deriving 50 percent or more of their total value of sales of agricultural products from animal specialties (Industry Group 027), but less than 50 percent from products of any single industry.

• Alligator farms
• Apiaries
• Aviaries (e.g., parakeet, canary, lovebirds)
• Bee farms
• Cat farms
• Dog farms
• Earthworm hatcheries
• Frog farms
• Honey production
• Kennels, breeding and raising own stock
• Laboratory animal farms (e.g., rats, mice, guinea pigs)
• Rattlesnake farms
• Silk (raw) production and silkworm farms
• Worm farms

Beekeeper Insurance - The Bottom Line

To protect your apiarist business - having the right beekeeper insurance coverage is essential. To learn what types of options are available, how much coverage you should invest in and the premium - speak to a reputable commercial insurance broker.

Additional Resources For Agribusiness Insurance

Learn about small business agribusiness insurance - a type of commercial insurance protects farmers against loss of, or damage to crops or livestock.

• Insurance Farming Terms Glossary
• Aquaculture Fish Farm
• Beekeepers
• Commercial Fishermen
• Crop
• Dairy Farm
• Equine & Horse Farm
• Farm And Ranch
• Farm Equipment Dealers
• Farm Labor Contractors
• Livestock & Cattle
• Mushroom Farms
• Nursery And Greenhouse
• Nut Farm
• Orchards & Groves
• Poultry Farm
• Sheep & Goat Farm
• Swine, Hog & Pig Farm
• Tobacco Farm
• Specialty Farm Risks

The agribusiness industry is a vital sector of the global economy, providing food, fiber, and other essential products to people around the world. However, it is also a complex and risky industry, with many potential sources of loss and damage. This is why the agribusiness industry needs commercial insurance.

One major risk in the agribusiness industry is natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, and hurricanes. These events can devastate crops and livestock, leading to significant financial losses for farmers and other agribusiness owners. Business insurance can help protect against these losses, providing a financial cushion to help businesses recover and continue operating.

Another risk in the agribusiness industry is the potential for accidents or injuries on the farm. Farming can be a dangerous occupation, and accidents can occur while working with heavy machinery or handling animals. Insurance can help cover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses related to these accidents.

In addition to these risks, the agribusiness industry is subject to various legal and regulatory requirements, such as food safety standards and environmental regulations. Noncompliance with these requirements can result in costly fines and legal action. Insurance can help cover the costs of legal fees and settlements, protecting businesses from financial ruin.

Overall, the agribusiness industry needs insurance to protect against the various risks and challenges it faces. Without commercial insurance, businesses in this industry would be vulnerable to financial losses that could threaten their survival. By investing in insurance, agribusiness owners can safeguard their businesses and ensure their continued success.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Buildings, Business Personal Property, Crop Insurance, Employee Dishonesty, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Goods in Transit, Mobile Equipment, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Environmental Impairment, Umbrella, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Hired and Non-owned Auto & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Business Income and Extra Expense, Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Farm Owners, Flood, Computer Fraud, Employee Dishonesty, Forgery, Money and Securities, Cyber Liability, Employee Benefits, Employment-related Practices Liability, Product Recall, Underground Storage Tank, Stop Gap Liability and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) (Drones).