There are a handful of major carriers that really focus on party bus coverage. Progressive, Nationwide, and Travelers provide the best business insurance for party bus rentals and their policies are actually built for what you’re doing. But in this guide, we want to highlight some small companies that can help you save on your premiums.
Party bus businesses have their own set of risks—let’s be honest, moving a crowd of people looking to have fun isn’t quite like running a regular shuttle. You’re dealing with possible liabilities, property damage, and the sort of financial headaches that can come out of nowhere. Standard commercial vehicle insurance doesn’t really cover the wild card factor that comes with party buses. With big groups and entertainment vibes, the exposures are just different. That’s why you need insurance that actually fits.
Most insurers don’t want the headache of party buses—there’s just too much that can go wrong.
Very few auto insurance companies insure party buses because of the unique risks they face.
Progressive is the top pick among the best business insurance companies for party bus rentals, offering tailored coverage and up to 20% discounts, followed by Nationwide and Travelers as leading options.
These national insurers get what party bus operators are up against—passenger injuries, property damage claims, the works—and they’re pretty good at coming up with policies that actually make sense for this niche.
Insurance for party buses isn’t just a one-size-fits-all deal. You’ll see coverage types ranging from general liability and commercial auto to workers’ comp and a few extras you might not have thought about. If you’re running a party bus, you really need to weigh your options—coverage, pricing, customer service—it’s all in the mix. No one wants to find out they’re underinsured after something goes wrong.
Here Are Some Smaller Carriers That Can Help You Get Insurance For Your Party Bus
Tivly
https://tivly.com/party-bus-insurance
Tivly is pretty focused on party bus insurance coverage for small and mid-sized transportation outfits. They try to make it painless to get the coverage you need, which is refreshing in this industry.
Quote Process
With Tivly, you can snag free quotes in just a few minutes. Either fill out their online form or just call 877-907-5267 if you’d rather talk to a human.
Coverage Options
They cover all the bases for party bus operators, including:
- Commercial auto liability insurance
- General liability coverage
- Workers comp
- Liquor liability
- Employment practices liability
Additional Services
Tivly isn’t just about party buses—they’ll quote insurance for tour buses, school buses, and charters too. Handy if your business is more than just parties.
Cost Considerations
According to Tivly, party bus insurance usually runs $300–$500 per month. Your price depends on where you operate, your driving record, and whether you cross state lines. The usual suspects.
Cost Reduction Strategies
They suggest keeping your driving record clean, bundling policies, picking higher deductibles, and shopping around. Honestly, that’s pretty standard advice, but it works.
Business Focus
Tivly mainly works with small to mid-sized transport businesses. Their whole pitch is making insurance less of a hassle so you can get back to running your company.
Prime Insurance Co
https://www.primeis.com/product-lines/prime-property-and-casualty-inc/buses/
Prime Insurance Company is a bit of a specialist—they’ll take on high-risk commercial auto clients, which is a lifesaver if you’ve been turned down elsewhere.
Coverage Areas
Prime writes party bus insurance through Prime Property & Casualty Insurance Inc. (PPCI). This admitted carrier provides commercial auto insurance in select states like Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Types of Coverage Available
- Commercial auto liability
- Physical damage
- Hired/non-owned vehicle coverage
- General liability
- Umbrella/excess liability
- Communicable disease liability
Unique Approach
Prime doesn’t care if you’ve been canceled or denied coverage elsewhere. They’ll look at your case and work with you, which is rare. They’ve been at this for over 40 years, so they know the ropes. Prime Insurance has over 40 years of experience in commercial transportation insurance.
Stratum Insurance Agency
https://stratuminsurance.com/biz/industry/party-bus-insurance/
Stratum Insurance Agency LLC is all about covering businesses that get the cold shoulder from traditional insurers. They know party bus companies face unique challenges with commercial auto coverage.
Primary Coverage Types
Stratum offers a few key insurance lines for party bus operators:
- General liability
- Commercial auto for modified vehicles
- Mobile equipment coverage
The agency gets that party buses are risky. Passengers getting on and off during events? That’s extra liability most policies don’t want to touch. You can get a quote by calling (949) 270-0609 or starting online. They recommend asking for both general liability and commercial auto when you reach out.
Stratum works with a bunch of carriers to find something that fits. They’ll compare rates and terms from several companies, which is nice if you’re tired of dead ends.
They handle clients nationwide and have a knack for finding solutions when others just say “no.”
WHINS
https://www.whins.com/business/limo-party-bus-insurance/
WHINS Insurance Agency, based in Westlake Village, builds insurance programs for party bus operators. They’re all about helping transport businesses stay protected so you can keep rolling without too many worries.
They work with over 30 insurance carriers—big names like Mercury, Allied, Safeco, Hartford, and Travelers. That means they can actually shop around for you and (hopefully) save you some money.
Core Coverage Options:
| Coverage Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Commercial Auto Liability | Protects against third-party claims |
| Physical Damage/Collision | Helps with repair costs |
| General Liability | Protects the business overall |
| Workers Compensation | Covers employee injuries |
| Liquor Liability | Handles alcohol-related incidents |
WHINS also throws in extras like Garage Keepers Liability for shops that do repairs, and Special Communications Equipment Coverage for stuff like GPS, radios, or phones if they get stolen or damaged.
They are big on making sure you don’t skimp on policy limits—especially if you’re picking up at airports. Sometimes you need as much as $5 million in liability coverage to even get on the property. State minimums just won’t cut it.
WHINS covers all sorts of transport gigs: airport shuttles, weddings, funerals, social events. They’ll do free consults and online quotes if you want to see what you’re in for.
Barbee Jackson
https://www.barbeejackson.com/limo-and-party-bus-insurance
Barbee Jackson Insurance is a big independent agency for party bus and luxury vehicle insurance. They work with hundreds of transport businesses all over the place.
They don’t just do party buses—if you run luxury cars, taxicabs, charters, or school buses, they’re in that game too.
Coverage Areas Include:
- Party buses and limos
- Airport shuttles
- Casino runs
- Sightseeing tours
- Employee transport
Premium Costs
With Barbee Jackson, annual insurance usually falls between $2,000 and $10,000 per vehicle. That’s a wide range, but it really comes down to your location, coverage, and what you’re actually doing.
Available Coverage Options
They offer standard liability for accidents and injuries, plus physical damage protection for collisions, theft, and weather. If you’ve got a tricked-out party bus, they’ll cover the customizations too. Uninsured motorist coverage is in the mix if someone else hits you and isn’t covered.
Key Considerations When Choosing Party Bus Insurance Providers
When you’re picking an insurer, you really want to check their liability limits, see if bundling saves you money, and do a little digging on how they handle claims. These things make a difference when things go sideways—and they’ll affect your costs in the long run, too.
Evaluating Liability Coverage and Policy Limits
Liability coverage is the backbone of any party bus insurance policy. Business owners really need to check the minimum coverage rules in their area and figure out what policy limits make sense for their operation.
Most states start commercial auto liability coverage at $750,000 to $1 million per incident. But, let’s be honest, party bus operators might want to go higher—after all, they’re hauling groups of people, not just a couple of fares.
General liability insurance is there to cover bodily injury and property damage claims. Party bus businesses definitely face some oddball risks because of their commercial setup and all the extra bells and whistles onboard.
Some of the key areas to pay attention to:
- Passenger liability for injuries that happen during rides
- Property damage to other vehicles or property
- Premises liability for incidents when people are getting on or off
- Product liability if equipment fails or malfunctions
Comprehensive coverage steps in for vehicle damage from theft, vandalism, or even weather. This is pretty crucial if you’ve invested in a bus loaded with custom entertainment gear or high-end finishes.
It makes sense for business owners to shop around and compare policy limits from a few insurance companies. Sure, higher limits mean higher premiums, but they could save your business if something big goes wrong.
Bundling Coverage for Better Rates
Insurance companies often hand out decent discounts if you bundle different policies together. Party bus operators can usually cut costs by packaging commercial auto, general liability, and property insurance under one roof.
Progressive, Nationwide, and Travelers have some solid bundling offers for party bus businesses. The usual discount for bundling? Somewhere between 10-20% off if you combine multiple policies.
Popular combos look like:
- Commercial auto + general liability
- Business property + equipment coverage
- Workers’ comp + employment practices liability
If you’ve got three or more party buses, most carriers will tack on a fleet discount. The more vehicles you insure with one company, the better your odds for extra savings.
Assessing Claims Service and Customer Reviews
Claims service can be all over the map depending on the insurance company. Party bus operators really need someone who picks up the phone and acts fast when things go sideways—especially on busy weekends.
There’s evidence that claims speed matters for keeping business running. Some insurers wrap up simple claims in 48 hours, while others drag their feet for weeks.
How can I find party bus insurance providers in my area?
Start by looking for commercial vehicle insurers who actually handle party bus coverage. Not every company does, so you’ll need to ask around or search online.
Working with a good agent who’ll shop multiple carriers can save you time and money. Comparing quotes from different insurers is the only way to know you’re getting a fair deal.
Online insurance sites let you compare policies from top providers for liability, property, and even employee coverage.
Don’t forget local commercial agencies—they often know which carriers are party-bus friendly and understand your state’s quirks.
