Great American Insurance Group and PAK Programs Introduce Difference in Conditions Property Insurance Solution for California Wineries

Great American Insurance Group’s Alternative Markets Division and PAK Programs have launched a new Difference in Conditions (DIC) property insurance solution tailored for California wineries. The product is designed to fill coverage gaps that arise when winery accounts are placed through the California FAIR Plan or other limited property solutions in a challenging market. This initiative provides the property insurance sector with a specialized tool to address unique winery risks such as contamination and leakage that standard fire policies typically exclude.

Great American Insurance Group and PAK Programs, a specialty insurance provider for the craft beverage industry, announced the availability of a DIC property insurance solution on July 1, 2026. This new offering is designed to support agents navigating the increasingly restrictive California property insurance landscape, where many winery accounts are now being split across multiple carriers or placed through the state's FAIR Plan. By providing this specialized coverage, the partnership seeks to offer a more comprehensive risk management strategy for eligible winery operations facing limited options in the traditional market.

The DIC policy specifically targets exposures that are typically excluded from limited fire policies, such as the California FAIR Plan. According to Jennifer Burnham, Divisional Vice President of Great American Alternative Markets, wineries are susceptible to unique losses including water damage, wine leakage, tank collapse, wine contamination, and equipment breakdown. The new product is intended to complement existing FAIR Plan coverage, ensuring that these specific operational risks are addressed subject to underwriting eligibility and policy terms.

Beyond the DIC solution, wineries may also access broader coverage options through Great American, including commercial property, liability, and automobile policies for related facilities like tasting rooms, warehouses, production sites, and hospitality spaces. This allows for a more integrated insurance program covering diverse business exposures from vineyards to hospitality. Great American Insurance Group, a subsidiary of American Financial Group (AFG), maintains an "A+" (Superior) rating from AM Best and has received an "A" or higher rating for over 115 years.

The partnership leverages the expertise of PAK Programs, a specialty program administrator focused on the craft beverage industry, to provide tailored coverage and proactive loss prevention. Great American’s Alternative Markets Division contributes its experience in niche program business, offering risk-sharing and traditional options across all 50 states. This collaboration represents a significant move for the property insurance market in California, providing a specialized solution for a high-value industry that has faced increasing difficulty in securing comprehensive coverage through standard market channels.