Conifer Insurance Services

What Conifer Insurance Services does

Conifer Insurance Services is a specialty Managing General Agency (MGA) founded in 2012 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan, providing tailored property and casualty insurance solutions for niche and underserved commercial markets. The company operates six core insurance programs: Cannabis Essentials and Cannabis Select (tiered coverage for cannabis operators from small dispensaries up to multi-state operators with limits as high as $25M Property and $5M/$5M GL & Product Liability), Food & Beverage (bars, taverns, restaurants), Standalone Liquor Liability, Student Housing (privately owned off-campus properties), and Mainstreet Retail (tobacco, vape, and cigar retailers). All programs are backed by AM Best A- (Excellent) or better rated carrier partners, with Skyward Specialty Insurance Group providing dedicated capacity for the high-limit Cannabis Select program.

The company distributes exclusively through independent retail and wholesale insurance agencies under a delegated underwriting authority model, offering full-stack MGA services including underwriting, policy administration, claims management, loss control, premium collection, billing, and surplus lines tax processing. Following its December 2024 acquisition by Bishop Street Underwriters (a RedBird Capital Partners portfolio company managing $10 billion in assets), Conifer has invested in AI-driven underwriting technology to support faster decision-making and program scaling. The company employs 70+ colleagues across Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest U.S. operating geographies and maintains industry association partnerships with the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, and Midwest Independent Retailers Association.

Revenue is generated through commissions on premiums written via carrier partners, policy administration fees, and underwriting profit participation on the specialty commercial book. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; all quotes flow through agent/broker channels or direct underwriter contact, with coverage tiers priced on an annual subscription basis differentiated by risk size and complexity.

Name

Conifer Insurance Services

Legal name

Conifer Insurance Services, LLC

Website

https://coniferinsurance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Conifer Insurance Services is a Troy, Michigan-based specialty Managing General Agency offering delegated underwriting for six niche P&C programs—cannabis, food & beverage, liquor liability, student housing, and specialty retail—distributed exclusively through independent insurance agents and backed by A-rated carriers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Commercial Insurance

NAICS

Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Captive Insurance Advisory & Management (FSAEADAF)

Keywords

• Specialty insurance programs
• Managing general agency
• Cannabis insurance coverage
• Hospitality insurance programs
• Liquor liability insurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Troy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Premium Revenue: As a Managing General Agency (MGA), Conifer earns revenue through policy administration fees, commissions, and underwriting profit participation from insurance policies written through its carrier partners. The company collects premiums from agents/brokers and retains a portion while passing the rest to carriers.
2. Program Administration Services: Conifer provides full MGA services including underwriting authority, policy administration, claims management, loss control, premium collection and billing, and surplus lines tax processing for its carrier and agency partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Conifer Insurance Services is a specialty Managing General Agency that underwrites and administers tailored property and casualty insurance programs for niche and underserved industries—principally cannabis, hospitality, liquor liability, specialty retail, and student housing—on behalf of AM Best A-rated carrier partners. The company holds delegated underwriting authority and distributes its six programs exclusively through appointed independent retail and wholesale agencies that place coverage for end insureds.

Product overview

Conifer Insurance Services is a specialized Managing General Agency (MGA) providing tailored insurance solutions for niche or underserved industry groups through multiple distinct programs. The portfolio consists of six core insurance programs: (1) Cannabis Essentials for small-to-midsize operators offering up to $5M Property and $1M/$2M GL coverage; (2) Cannabis Select for large multi-state operators offering up to $25M Property and $5M/$5M GL & Product Liability coverage; (3) Food and Beverage Insurance for restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses; (4) Liquor Liability Insurance for standalone alcohol-serving establishment coverage; (5) Student Housing Insurance for off-campus student housing properties; and (6) Mainstreet Insurance for specialty retail including tobacco and vape shops. All programs are distributed through independent and wholesale agencies and backed by AM Best A-rated carrier partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cannabis Essentials: Insurance program designed for small-to-midsize cannabis growers, dispensaries, and localized operations. Offers affordability, scalability, and accessibility with coverage limits up to $5M Property and $1M/$2M GL & Product Liability.
• Cannabis Select
• Food & Beverage Insurance Program
• Liquor Liability Insurance Program
• Student Housing Insurance Program
• Mainstreet Insurance Program

Products and services

• Cannabis Essentials Insurance Program Insurance coverage designed for small-to-midsize cannabis operators including dispensaries, provisioning centers, cultivators, and localized grow operations. Provides property and general liability / product liability coverage with focus on affordability, accessibility, and scalability; available in admitted and non-admitted forms.
• Cannabis Select Insurance Program High-capacity insurance program built for multi-state operators (MSOs), large cultivators, and manufacturers. Offers elevated coverage limits (up to $25M Property, $5M/$5M GL & Product Liability) with sophisticated risk management for large-scale and vertically integrated cannabis operations; Non-Admitted placement only.
• Food and Beverage Insurance Program Insurance coverage for bars, taverns, restaurants, pubs, cocktail lounges, convenience stores, and craft beverage operations. Includes property, general liability, liquor liability, and workers' compensation coverage for the food service and hospitality industry.
• Liquor Liability Insurance Program Standalone liquor liability coverage for alcohol-serving establishments including bars, restaurants, taverns, and event venues. Protects against dram shop liability and claims arising from the sale or service of alcohol.
• Student Housing Insurance Program Specialized insurance for privately owned, off-campus student housing properties. Covers general liability, personal & advertising injury, property coverage up to $10M per location, and commercial auto (hired & non-owned); available nationwide excluding Florida.
• Mainstreet Insurance Program Coverage for specialty retail risks including tobacco, vape, and cigar retailers. Addresses product liability, regulatory compliance, fire and theft exposure, and cybersecurity concerns specific to this niche market.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cannabis Select program offers up to $25M Property and $5M/$5M GL limits for large operators
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Skyward Specialty Insurance GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2025Skyward Specialty Insurance Group partnered with Conifer to launch the Cannabis Select program for multi-state operators and large cannabis businesses. Skyward provides capacity and rated carrier backing (A.M. Best A (Excellent)) for the high-limit cannabis coverage program. Skyward operates through eight underwriting divisions including Specialty Programs.
• Cox SpecialtyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner specializing in specialty insurance placements. Referenced on Conifer's partners page.
• Michigan Cannabis Industry Association (MiCIA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association partner. Conifer notes that MiCIA members may be eligible for premium discounts on marijuana liability coverage. Cannabis applicants can indicate MiCIA membership on applications.
• Midwest Independent Retailers AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association partner for independent retailers, potentially including tobacco, vape, and cannabis retail members.
• Michigan Restaurant & Lodging AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association partner for hospitality businesses including restaurants, bars, and lodging establishments. Conifer is a supporting member and references the MRLA as a key industry partner for food & beverage and liquor liability programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Risk Placement Services (RPS): Specialty wholesale insurance distributor serving retail agents with hard-to-place commercial risks. Comparable to Conifer in niche-vertical focus, delegated underwriting authority, and agent-appointment-based distribution.
• Brown & Riding Insurance Services: Specialty wholesale insurance broker offering niche and hard-to-place commercial coverage through retail agents. Comparable to Conifer in specialty MGA distribution model and program-based product approach.
• Burns & Wilcox: Specialty insurance MGA and wholesale broker providing niche commercial coverage across multiple underserved verticals. Comparable to Conifer in operating as a delegated-authority MGA distributing through independent agents and brokers.
• CannGen Insurance Services: Specialty MGA focused exclusively on cannabis insurance, providing coverage to cultivators, processors, and retailers. Most direct head-to-head competitor to Conifer's cannabis programs in terms of product specialization.
• CRC Insurance Services: One of the largest US specialty wholesale insurance brokerages, providing niche commercial coverage through retail agents. Comparable to Conifer in wholesale/specialty distribution model and program-management approach.

Others

• Skyward Specialty Insurance Group: Specialty insurance carrier that provides capacity and rated backing for Conifer's Cannabis Select program. Also operates competing specialty programs through eight underwriting divisions — comparable as a partner with overlapping distribution and product focus.

Broad incumbents

• James River Group Holdings: Specialty insurance company underwriting excess and surplus lines and specialty admitted coverage through delegated authority partnerships. Comparable to Conifer in delegated-authority MGA / program-administration structure.
• Amwins Group: Largest US specialty insurance wholesaler with broad specialty program offerings across multiple verticals. Comparable to Conifer in MGA/program-administration model but at much larger scale and broader industry coverage.
• W. R. Berkley Corporation: Diversified specialty insurance holding company with multiple specialty operating units offering niche commercial coverage. Comparable to Conifer in specialty program / MGA architecture but at far larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Markel Corporation: Specialty insurer with deep expertise in niche commercial lines including hospitality, alcohol-serving establishments, and unusual risks. Comparable to Conifer in specialty underwriting discipline across underserved verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ConiferIns
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conifer-insurance
• Instagraminstagram.com/coniferinsurance
• Xx.com/coniferins

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Conifer Insurance Services