# Insurance for circus companies, acrobats and circus schools in Germany

> A circus is a theatre, a haulage firm and often an animal keeper at the same time. The big top moves to a new site every week, tractors and caravans travel country roads, acrobats work at height, and families with children sit around the ring. Whether you run a travelling circus company, a variety show, a circus school or work as a freelance acrobat in Germany, this page explains which insurance is compulsory, which makes sense and what it costs.

Quelle/Source: https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-circus-and-acrobatics.php  
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Is the circus liable if an animal injures a visitor?

As a rule, yes. Under section 833 of the German Civil Code the keeper is liable for damage caused by his animals. Only for domestic animals used for work or earning a living does liability fall away if the keeper proves he took the necessary care. Animal keeper's liability must therefore be included explicitly, for every species, in your liability policy.

## At a glance

- **Compulsory:** Motor liability insurance for every tractor unit, truck and caravan (section 1 Compulsory Insurance Act); anyone who commercially exhibits animals needs a permit under section 11 of the Animal Welfare Act
- **Biggest risk:** Injured spectators and performers, animals escaping or biting, and storms on the circus site
- **Basic cover from:** about €600 a year for the business liability of a small family circus without large animals, a guide figure from our quoting work
- **Animal keeper's liability:** The keeper is liable for damage caused by an animal; only for domestic animals used for earning a living can the keeper escape liability by proving proper supervision (section 833 German Civil Code)
- **Artists' social levy:** Variety and circus businesses are liable for the levy under section 24(1) no. 8 of the Artists' Social Insurance Act

## What goes wrong in this trade

- **Storm over the big top:** A thunderstorm tears the canvas or bends the king poles.
- **Accident in the ring:** An acrobat falls from the trapeze, a spectator is hit by a prop.
- **Animals:** A horse breaks out of its paddock, a dog bites a child at the animal tent.
- **On the road:** Long convoys of tractors, caravans and trailers cause accidents when moving site.
- **Seating and set up:** A row of seats gives way or a spectator falls on the stand steps.
- **Cancellation:** The municipality withdraws the site at short notice or a storm forces cancellation; the costs continue.

**Risk radar** (Compared with other trades, 1 low to 5 high.): Liability 5, Fire and water 5, Theft 3, Cyber 1, Downtime 4, Health 5

## The insurance you need

- **Business liability** (Essential): For spectators, site owners and third parties, including animal keeper's liability for all animals, tent erection and seating. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-liability.php
- **Car insurance** (Essential): Motor liability insurance is compulsory for every registered vehicle. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-car-insurance.php
- **Fleet insurance** (Strongly advised): Bundles tractors, trucks, caravans and wagons in one contract, useful from three vehicles. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-fleet-insurance.php
- **Business contents** (Strongly advised): For big top, seating, props and costumes against fire, storm and theft; tents often need a separate agreement. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-contents.php
- **Group accident insurance** (Strongly advised): For acrobats, family members and seasonal staff, with fixed benefits after an accident. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-group-accident.php
- **Electronic equipment** (Depends on the business): For lighting and sound, generators and ticketing systems. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-electronic-equipment.php
- **Business interruption** (Depends on the business): For cancelled shows after storm, fire or an official ban. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-interruption.php
- **Occupational disability** (Depends on the business): For acrobats whose income depends on their own body. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-occupational-disability.php

## What it costs: example prices

Premiums depend on tent size, audience numbers, number of sites, animals, vehicles and the acts shown. Circuses are almost always priced individually.

| Insurance | Example | Typical range |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Business liability | Small family circus with 300 seats, domestic animals only, €5 million cover | about €600 to €1,500 a year |
| Business liability | Travelling circus with 800 seats and horse acts | about €1,800 to €4,500 a year |
| Car insurance | Tractor unit in showman use, liability only | about €400 to €900 a year |
| Business contents | Big top, seating and equipment worth €250,000, including storm | about €2,500 to €6,000 a year |
| Group accident insurance | 15 acrobats and staff, €100,000 base sum | about €1,500 to €4,000 a year |

For comparison: Liability cover for a small family circus costs about as much a year as one well attended afternoon show.

_All figures are guide values from our quoting work, excluding German insurance premium tax, as of October 2026. We found no published tariffs for circuses; the sources document the legal position. We obtain the exact quote for you._

- [Gesetze im Internet: section 833 German Civil Code, liability of the animal keeper](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__833.html)
- [Gesetze im Internet: section 11 Animal Welfare Act, permit](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tierschg/__11.html)
- [Gesetze im Internet: section 1 Compulsory Insurance Act](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pflvg/__1.html)
- [Gesetze im Internet: section 24 Artists' Social Insurance Act](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ksvg/__24.html)

## Our suggestions: three packages

- **Acrobat** (freelance acrobats and circus schools without their own tent): Business liability, Group accident insurance, Occupational disability. Together: about €500 to €1,500 a year excluding income protection
- **Family circus** (small travelling circus with tent and domestic animals): Business liability, Car insurance, Business contents, Group accident insurance. Together: about €5,000 to €12,000 a year
- **Big top** (circus with a large tent, many vehicles and animal acts): Business liability, Fleet insurance, Business contents, Group accident insurance, Electronic equipment, Business interruption. Together: individual, usually from about €15,000 a year

## The worst day at the circus

Six things that really happen to circus companies, all on a moving day with a premiere. Tap through and see who pays.

- 07:30: Moving site, a caravan clips a parked car in a narrow village street. (€4,500, Paid by: Car insurance)
- 11:00: A pony breaks loose and kicks a child who came to stroke the animals. (€6,000, Paid by: Business liability)
- 15:30: A gust tears a canvas panel and bends two poles. (€18,000, Paid by: Business contents)
- 16:00: The afternoon show has to be cancelled because of the storm. (€7,000, Paid by: Business interruption)
- 19:45: An aerialist falls from the silks during rehearsal and breaks her pelvis. (€25,000, Paid by: Group accident insurance)
- 21:10: A spectator slips on the wet stand steps and breaks a foot. (€8,000, Paid by: Business liability)

**Damage so far:** €68,500

## Practical tips from your broker

- Have animal keeper's liability confirmed for every species, including animals of guest performers.
- Clarify whether damage caused by flying tent parts is covered by liability or by property insurance.
- Keep your section 11 permit and the documents for each site at hand; municipalities ask for them.
- Combine tractors and caravans into a fleet policy from three vehicles.
- Cover acrobats through group accident insurance with an adequate disability sum.
- Write down your storm plan and guying; insurers ask for it.

## Why NAMMERT for your business

- **We know travelling businesses:** Circuses, like boat owners, are always on the move. As an insurance broker we compare several insurers and make sure your cover applies everywhere.
- **Animals, tent and vehicles together:** Liability, motor, tent and accident cover are reviewed together so no gap remains between policies.
- **Family and business:** Norman Nammert, your insurance broker, looks after the business and the family's own cover together.
- **Family business, placing cover since 1989:** Our work is free for you; the insurer pays our commission. We advise in English or German.

## FAQ

### Which insurance is compulsory for a circus in Germany?

Motor liability insurance for all vehicles. Business liability is not required by law, but municipalities and site owners regularly ask for it.

### Do I need a permit for circus animals?

Yes. Anyone who commercially exhibits animals needs a permit from the competent authority under section 11 of the Animal Welfare Act.

### Is the circus liable for its animals even without fault?

In principle yes, under section 833 of the German Civil Code. Only for domestic animals used for earning a living can the keeper escape liability by proving proper supervision.

### What does liability insurance for a small circus cost?

For a family circus with 300 seats and domestic animals, about €600 to €1,500 a year, a guide figure from our quoting work.

### Is the big top insured against storm?

Only if storm is explicitly agreed for the tent. Many property policies otherwise exclude tents and temporary structures.

### Does a circus have to pay the artists' social levy?

Yes, variety and circus businesses are among the businesses liable under section 24 of the Artists' Social Insurance Act.

## Request quotes

We obtain quotes and come back with a comparison, free of charge. You can write in English. https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-circus-and-acrobatics.php#anfrage

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Your broker: Norman Nammert, trading as NAMMERT. Insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act. Broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH is a separate company. It does not arrange your contract.

NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, Karl-Marx-Straße 4, 15711 Königs Wusterhausen, +49 3375 29 12 77, info@nammert.com. Wikidata: Q141141479.