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Fairground showmen insurance in Germany: liability, the ride itself and the road between fairs

A travelling fairground business lives on wheels. Rides and stalls are driven, built up, operated, taken down and stored for the winter, and something can go wrong at every stage. German law (the Schaustellerhaftpflichtverordnung, SchauHV) makes liability insurance compulsory for rides and several other attractions. The ride, the trailers and the decoration are only protected by a separate property policy for showmen, usually combined with transport cover.

The question almost everyone asks first

Is showmen insurance compulsory in Germany?

The liability part is, for many businesses. Under § 1 SchauHV anyone running a travelling business that carries or moves people needs it, and so do motor stunt shows, wall of death rides, shooting galleries, circuses, dangerous animal shows and pony rides. For rides the minimum is 1,000,000 euros for bodily injury and 150,000 euros for property damage per occurrence. Cover for the ride itself, transport and loss of income is voluntary, but for most businesses it protects the larger part of their assets.

What the German showmen regulation requires

The SchauHV applies to self-employed showmen who travel from fair to fair. The cover has to protect the owner and the staff for the whole time the business operates, not just on fair days. For attractions that carry or move people the minimum is 1,000,000 euros for bodily injury; for shooting galleries, circuses, animal shows and riding businesses it is 500,000 euros. Property damage needs at least 150,000 euros in both cases.

Keep the insurance documents on the fairground, because the authority may ask to see them while you operate. Working without cover, or with too little, is an administrative offence under the German Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung). The statutory sums are a floor, not a target: one serious accident with several passengers can exceed them, so many operators agree considerably higher limits.

Inspection book and acceptance: no paperwork, no operation

In German building law rides, marquees and grandstands are temporary structures (Fliegende Bauten). Before first use they need a design approval, which is entered in the inspection book (Prüfbuch). Recognised testing bodies check the structural safety, and before the ride opens at a fair the local building authority normally inspects it and records the result in the book. The ride may only be assembled as described there.

This matters for insurance as well. Many policy wordings require a valid approval and acceptance, and after an accident any expert will ask for the inspection book first. A missing entry or an unrecorded modification can turn an insured claim into an argument about whether the insurer has to pay.

Cover for the ride on the road and in winter storage

Liability insurance only pays for damage you cause to others. If your own trailer burns, tips over while manoeuvring or loses its roof in a gust, you need property cover for the business. In Germany this is sold as Schaustellerkasko or showmen transport insurance and typically covers fire, transport and manoeuvring accidents, storm and hail, and with better policies the months in winter storage.

Many wordings only treat wind as a storm from force 8 on the Beaufort scale. On top of that, showmen policies often state the wind speed at which operation must stop and the ride must be secured. These rules should match the manufacturer instructions for your ride, otherwise a reduced payout is a real risk.

Theft, idle periods and security clauses

Rides often stand for days on a fairground, at a truck stop or in a depot, so many policies link theft cover to security clauses such as guarding or extra protection for longer stays. In 2010 the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof) ruled on the theft of a fairground ride where exactly such a clause for idle periods of more than 24 hours was in dispute (case IV ZR 24/09). Knowing the clauses before you sign is the only way to keep to them on the road.

What is covered

  • Injury and property damage suffered by passengers and visitors
  • Damage caused while assembling and dismantling the ride
  • Damage to the fairground surface, cables and rented areas, where included
  • Liability of employees and casual helpers
  • Fire, storm and hail damage to the ride (property cover)
  • Transport and manoeuvring accidents between fairs (property cover)
  • Theft of the ride, subject to the agreed security conditions
  • Loss of income after an insured property claim, as an add-on

What is not covered

  • Wear and gradual deterioration of the ride
  • Operating without a valid design approval or acceptance, depending on the policy
  • Damage caused by the towing vehicle on the road, which falls under motor liability
  • Breaches of storm rules and security clauses, depending on fault
  • The agreed deductible
  • A cancelled fair without insured property damage, unless an add-on was agreed

Who needs it

  • Operators of adult and children's rides
  • Shooting galleries, raffles and walk-through attractions
  • Food, drink and confectionery stalls at fairs and markets
  • Businesses with animal shows or pony rides
  • Family businesses with several attractions and their own vehicles

Who does not need it

  • Clubs that hold their own festival once a year usually need event liability instead
  • Permanent amusement parks, which are normally insured individually

Wheel of misfortune

Spin the wheel of bad luck

Six things that really happen. The wheel picks yours and shows who pays.

See all six cases
  1. Passenger injured in a gondola, medical costs, damages, lost earnings. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. The core of the compulsory cover. The insurer examines liability, pays justified claims and defends unjustified ones.
  2. Gust tears off the roof, canopy, decoration and fittings. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Damage to your own ride. Liability does not pay; property cover with storm does, provided the storm rules were followed.
  3. Trailer tips over while manoeuvring, ride and trailer, often five figures. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. A classic case for showmen transport insurance. Good policies include manoeuvring on site, not just road accidents.
  4. Outrigger damages the paving, repair of paving or cables. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Damage to the fairground is often excluded or capped in simple liability policies. Strong policies include it expressly.
  5. Fair cancelled at short notice, pitch fees and lost takings. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays in part. Without property damage the ride cover does not pay. Only a separate loss of income or cancellation add-on can help, and it is rare.
  6. Drive bearing wears out, repair and downtime. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Wear is not an insured peril. Maintenance according to the manufacturer remains the operator's job.

What it costs

The premium depends mainly on the type of attraction. A children's carousel and a large thrill ride are worlds apart for both liability and property cover, and so are a sweets stall and a shooting gallery. There are no independent published price comparisons for showmen in Germany, so we do not quote sample premiums.

What drives the premium

  • Type and number of attractions, and for rides the design and passenger capacity
  • Liability limit above the statutory minimum
  • Replacement value of rides, trailers and decoration
  • Perils chosen for the property cover, such as storm, theft and winter storage
  • Where you travel, Germany only or neighbouring countries too
  • Deductible and claims history

The premium is only fixed in the quote, once the insurer knows the attractions, their values and your travel plan.

The policy levels on the market

01

Statutory liability under the SchauHV

Liability at the legal minimum with a confirmation for the authority. Covers damage to others, not the ride itself.

02

Liability plus ride cover

Higher limit, assembly and fairground damage included, plus property cover for fire, storm, hail, transport and manoeuvring accidents.

03

Full cover for a family business

Several attractions in one contract, winter storage, theft, loss of income and cover in neighbouring countries.

How to recognise a good policy

CriterionMinimum standardStrong policyWhy it matters
Limit for bodily injury EUR 1,000,000 under the SchauHV several million euros One accident with several passengers easily exceeds the minimum.
Assembly and dismantling not expressly mentioned expressly covered Many claims happen while building up and loading.
Fairground damage excluded surface, cables and rented areas included Councils bill you for damage to the site.
Storm rule fixed wind limit, otherwise no payout securing according to the manufacturer, no blanket exclusion The right limit depends on the ride, not on a form.
Transport and manoeuvring road accidents only manoeuvring, loading and unloading as well Most transport damage happens on site, not on the motorway.
Winter storage not covered fire, storm and theft in storage too The ride stands still for months, the risks do not.
Territory Germany only Europe Otherwise fairs abroad are uninsured.
Loss of income not covered with an indemnity period long enough for the season A destroyed ride earns nothing until it is repaired.

Insurers on the German market

Only a few German insurers write showmen risks with dedicated products, and much of the business runs through specialist brokers and underwriting agencies. We found dedicated showmen offers from R+V, KRAVAG and SIGNAL IDUNA; for the other insurers under German federal supervision it has to be checked whether they accept a particular attraction. This is a market overview, not a ranking and not a statement about who we work with.

InsurerBackground
R+Vcooperative banking group insurer, business liability for showmen
KRAVAGR+V group company, ride cover against fire, transport and manoeuvring accidents, storm and hail, including winter storage
SIGNAL IDUNAproduct information for showmen with business liability and modular showmen transport insurance
Haftpflichtkasseliability specialist with its own terms for short events; whether a showmen business is accepted has to be checked case by case
Allianzlarge commercial insurer; scope for showmen businesses to be checked case by case

Compare the wordings of all tariffs Showmen insurance 1 tariffs from 1 providers, as of 24 October 2026

From the BaFin register

163

163 insurers supervised by BaFin, the German regulator, are licensed for this class of insurance.

(Allgemeine Haftpflicht, Hagel-, Frost- und sonstige Sachschäden)

Show all 163 names from the register
  • ACM Versicherung AG
  • ADAC Autoversicherung AG
  • ADAC Versicherung AG
  • ADAC Zuhause Versicherung AG
  • ADLER Versicherung AG
  • AGILA Haustierversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Allcura Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Allianz Direct Versicherungs-AG
  • Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE
  • Allianz Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Alte Leipziger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Ambra Versicherung AG
  • AMMERLÄNDER VERSICHERUNG Versicherungsverein a.G. (VVaG)
  • andsafe Aktiengesellschaft
  • ARAG Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Astra Versicherung AG
  • AXA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • BA die Bayerische Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Badischer Gemeinde-Versicherungs-Verband
  • Baloise Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft Deutschland
  • Barmenia Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • BavariaDirekt Versicherung AG
  • Bayerische Hausbesitzer-Versicherungs-Gesellschaft a.G.
  • Bayerische Landesbrandversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Bayerischer Versicherungsverband Versicherungsaktiengesellschaft
  • BD24 Berlin Direkt Versicherung AG
  • Bergische Brandversicherung Allgemeine Feuerversicherung V.a.G.
  • BGV-Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • CG Car-Garantie Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Concordia Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • CONSTANTIA Versicherungen a.G.
  • Continentale Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Cosmos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DA Deutsche Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DARAG Deutschland AG
  • Debeka Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft Sitz Koblenz am Rhein
  • Delvag Versicherungs-AG
  • DEVK Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • DEVK Deutsche Eisenbahn Versicherung Sach- und HUK-Versicherungsverein a.G. Betriebliche…
  • DFV Deutsche Familienversicherung AG
  • Dialog Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Die Haftpflichtkasse VVaG
  • DOCURA VVaG
  • Dolleruper Freie Brandgilde
  • Domestic & General Insurance Europe AG
  • ERGO Direkt Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ERGO Reiseversicherung AG
  • ERGO Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Euro-Aviation Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • EUROPA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • EXTREMUS Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Fahrlehrerversicherung Verein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Feuer- und Einbruchschadenkasse der BBBank in Karlsruhe, Versicherungsverein auf…
  • Feuersozietät Berlin Brandenburg Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • GARANTA Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gartenbau-Versicherung VVaG
  • Gebäudeversicherungsgilde für Föhr,Amrum und Halligen
  • Gemeinnützige Haftpflichtversicherungsanstalt Kassel
  • Generali Deutschland Versicherung AG
  • GGG Kraftfahrzeug-Reparaturkosten-Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gothaer Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gothaer Versicherungsbank VVaG
  • Great Lakes Insurance SE
  • GRUNDEIGENTÜMER-VERSICHERUNG Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • GVO Gegenseitigkeit Versicherung Oldenburg VVaG
  • GVV Direktversicherung AG
  • GVV-Kommunalversicherung, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Haftpflichtgemeinschaft Deutscher Nahverkehrs- und Versorgungsunternehmen Allgemein (HDNA) VVaG
  • Hagelgilde Versicherungsverein a.G., gegründet 1811
  • Hamburger Beamten-Feuer-und Einbruchskasse
  • Hamburger Feuerkasse Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Hamburger Lehrer-Feuerkasse
  • HanseMerkur Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG
  • Harsewinkeler Versicherung VaG
  • HDI Global SE
  • HDI Global Specialty SE
  • HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • HDI Versicherung AG
  • Helvetia Schweizerische Versicherungsgesellschaft AG Direktion für Deutschland
  • Helvetia Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a.G. in Coburg
  • HUK-COBURG-Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HUK24 AG
  • Häger Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Hübener Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • IDEAL Versicherung AG
  • INTER Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Interlloyd Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • InterRisk Versicherungs-AG Vienna Insurance Group.
  • ISSELHORSTER Versicherung V.a.G.
  • Itzehoer Versicherung/Brandgilde von 1691 Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Janitos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-ALLGEMEINE Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-LOGISTIC Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Landschaftliche Brandkasse Hannover
  • LBN Versicherungsverein a.G. (VVaG)
  • Lehrer-Feuerversicherungsverein a.G. für Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
  • Lifestyle Protection AG
  • Lippische Landesbrandversicherung AG
  • Lucura Versicherungs AG
  • LVM Landwirtschaftlicher Versicherungsverein Münster a.G.
  • Mannheimer Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Markel Insurance SE
  • Mecklenburgische Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Mercedes-Benz Versicherung AG
  • MVK Versicherung VVaG
  • MÜNCHENER VEREIN Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
  • NEH Neue Hildener Versicherung AG
  • Neodigital Versicherung AG
  • Neuendorfer Brand-Bau-Gilde
  • Newline Europe Versicherung AG
  • nexible Versicherung AG
  • Nordhemmer Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • NV-Versicherungen VVaG
  • NÜRNBERGER Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • NÜRNBERGER BEAMTEN ALLGEMEINE VERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • OKV - Ostdeutsche Kommunalversicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Ostangler Brandgilde, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit (VVaG)
  • OSTBEVERNER Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit (VVaG)
  • Pallas Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ProTect Versicherung AG
  • Provinzial Nord Brandkasse Aktiengesellschaft
  • Provinzial Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • PVAG Polizeiversicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • R+V Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Real Garant Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • RheinLand Versicherungs Aktiengesellschaft
  • Rhion Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • S DirektVersicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SAARLAND Feuerversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Schleswiger Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • SCHNEVERDINGER Versicherungsverein a.G.
  • SHB Allgemeine Versicherung VVaG
  • SIGNAL IDUNA Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SIGNAL IDUNA Unfallversicherung a. G.
  • Sparkassen-Versicherung Sachsen Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Stuttgarter Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SV SparkassenVersicherung Gebäudeversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • TRIAS Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Uelzener Allgemeine Versicherungs-Gesellschaft a.G.
  • Union Reiseversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • uniVersa Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Vereinigte Hagelversicherung VVaG
  • Vereinigte Tierversicherung, Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Versicherer im Raum der Kirchen Sachversicherung AG
  • Versicherungskammer Bayern Versicherungsanstalt des öffentlichen Rechts
  • Versicherungsverband Deutscher Eisenbahnen-Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Verti Versicherung AG
  • VHV Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • VHV Vereinigte Hannoversche Versicherung a.G.
  • Volkswagen Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • VOLKSWOHL-BUND SACHVERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • VPV Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
  • Waldenburger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • WERTGARANTIE SE
  • WGV-Versicherung AG
  • WWK Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Württembergische Gemeinde-Versicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Württembergische Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Würzburger Versicherungs-AG
  • Zurich Insurance Europe AG
  • Öffentliche Feuerversicherung Sachsen-Anhalt

Source: BaFin company database, 18 September 2026; EU insurers without a German office excluded.

Legal basis and sources

Products and add-ons

Showmen business liability

The compulsory cover under the SchauHV with a confirmation for the authority. Good policies go well beyond the minimum sums.

Ride property cover (Schaustellerkasko)

Property insurance for rides, trailers, decoration and stock against fire, storm, hail and theft.

Showmen transport insurance

Cover on the road between fairs and while manoeuvring, often combined with the property cover.

Loss of income

Replaces lost profit and running costs if the ride is out of action after an insured loss.

Motor insurance for towing vehicles

A separate contract for tractor units and caravans on the road, not part of showmen insurance.

Myth or truth

True or false?

Five things people say about this insurance. Guess first, then see the answer.

Liability cover for a children's carousel is optional.

This is false.

Wrong. A children's carousel moves people too, so it falls under the showmen regulation with at least 1,000,000 euros for bodily injury.

The authority may ask to see your insurance documents on site.

This is true.

True. Under § 2 SchauHV the insurance documents must be shown on request while the business operates.

Without insurance the worst you face is trouble with the fair organiser.

This is false.

No. Operating without cover, or with too little, is an administrative offence under the Trade Regulation Act, and after an accident you are liable with your own assets.

A ride may only be assembled as described in its inspection book.

This is true.

Right. Permanent or recurring modifications have to be entered, otherwise the set-up no longer matches the approval.

Ride property cover also pays when a passenger is injured.

This is false.

No. Property cover pays for damage to your own ride. Claims by passengers and visitors are a matter for liability insurance.

Common mistakes

  • Insuring only the SchauHV minimum although a ride carries many passengers at once
  • Not having modifications entered in the inspection book
  • Not knowing the storm rule in the policy and running the ride in strong gusts
  • Leaving winter storage uninsured
  • Not carrying proof of insurance on the fairground
  • Not updating replacement values for years

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Which showmen need compulsory insurance in Germany?

Under § 1 SchauHV everyone who runs a travelling business that carries or moves people,

plus motor stunt shows, wall of death rides, shooting galleries, circuses,

dangerous animal shows and pony rides.

A food or sweets stall is not covered by the regulation,

but business liability is still strongly advisable.

How high must the limit be?

For rides at least 1,000,000 euros for bodily injury and 150,000 euros for property damage per

occurrence; for the other listed attractions 500,000 euros for bodily injury.

That is the legal floor.

For rides we recommend considerably more, because a single accident can injure several people.

What does the inspection book have to do with insurance?

The inspection book holds the design approval and the acceptance records of the temporary

structure.

Many policies require both to be valid, and after an accident they are checked first.

A complete inspection book therefore also protects your claim.

When does wind count as a storm?

In many German wordings from force 8 on the Beaufort scale, which is at least 62 km/h.

Showmen policies often add their own rules on when operation must stop and the ride must be

secured.

Know both before the season starts.

Am I covered at fairs abroad?

Only if the territory includes them.

Some policies cover Germany only, others the whole of Europe.

Check the policy before a fair abroad, and check the rules of the host country as well.

Is the towing vehicle covered?

Not on the road.

Tractor units, lorries and caravans need their own motor liability insurance.

Showmen transport insurance covers the ride as cargo, not the liability of the vehicle.

What happens if a fair is cancelled?

Without insured property damage the ride cover pays nothing.

Whether pitch fees or lost takings after a cancellation are replaced depends on a separate add-on,

which is rare and narrow in this market.

Why use a broker?

Because showmen policies differ mainly in storm rules, security clauses,

fairground damage and winter storage,

and only a few insurers write the class at all.

We obtain quotes, compare the wordings and support you when a claim comes in.

The insurer pays our commission.

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Fairground showmen insurance

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