I needed to renew my shop insurance. The two big names came up: PPIB (Professional Program Insurance Brokerage) and Marine Agency. Both claim to be the best. I dug into their specimen policies to see who actually pays out when things go wrong.
Key Takeaways
- PPIB (The Specialist): Known for flexibility. They cover “extreme” mods (branding, scarification) that others don’t, but often at a higher premium. Excellent for strict shops with perfect paperwork.
- Marine Agency (The Standard): Often slightly cheaper for standard street shops. Very strong on General Liability and Property coverage. Strict on spore testing requirements.
- Communicable Disease: Both offer it, but read the conditions. PPIB is famous for its “paperwork defense” (if your waiver is good, they fight for you).
- Customer Service: In 2026, Marine has better digital portals for instant COIs; PPIB has better human brokers for complex questions.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Conditions of Coverage
Both carriers are great, but they operate differently.
- Marine tends to be “Policy-focused.” If you meet the spore test requirement, you are good.
- PPIB tends to be “Defense-focused.” They specialize in fighting frivolous lawsuits, but they demand you use their approved consent forms or equivalent.
The Investigation: “I Compared Them”
I ran a quote for a shop with 3 artists and 1 piercer.
1. PPIB
- Quote: ~$1,800/year.
- Pros: Covered the piercer’s “advanced” work (dermals) easily. Allowed guest artists easily.
- Cons: Application was long. Demanded copies of waivers upfront.
2. Marine Agency
- Quote: ~$1,650/year.
- Pros: Easy online renewal. Good bundling with Property insurance (fire/theft).
- Cons: Stricter on the piercing definitions.
Comparison Table: Titan Matchup
| Feature | PPIB | Marine Agency |
| Cost (Est) | | |
| Extreme Mods | Yes (Branding/Scarification) | Limited |
| Spore Test Req | Strict | Strict |
| Digital COI | Good | Excellent |
| Defense Strategy | Aggressive | Standard |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Quote Both: Prices vary by state. Get quotes from both.
- Check Your Services: If you do branding, splitting, or heavy mods, go PPIB. If you are a standard tattoo/piercing street shop, Marine might save you money.
- Read the Warranties: Look for the “Sterilization Warranty” in the quote. Ensure you can meet the testing frequency (Weekly vs. Monthly). If you can’t meet it, don’t buy it.
- Customer Service Test: Call them. Who picks up? In a lawsuit, you want a broker you can reach, not a call center.
FAQ
Q: Are there other options?
A: Yes (Travelers, Hartford), but they are generalists. They often exclude the exact things you need (Infection/Abuse). Stick to the specialists.
Q: Can I switch mid-year?
A: Yes, but you might pay a “Short Rate” penalty. Best to switch at renewal.
[IMAGE: Split screen logo graphic: PPIB vs. Marine Agency with “VS” in the middle.]