What kinds of businesses does Spire Insurance Solutions cover?

Spire is an independent specialty commercial insurance agency for cannabis and hemp operations (dispensaries, cultivators, processors, transportation), pet services (vets, groomers, boarders, day care, trainers, pet retail), self-storage and warehousing facilities, and food and beverage businesses (restaurants, bars, breweries, event venues). All coverage is subject to underwriting.

What states does Spire Insurance Solutions write business in?

Spire is licensed in Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Maine. Contact a Spire agent to confirm current licensing for your state.

How is Spire different from other commercial insurance agencies?

Spire focuses on a few specialty industries instead of writing for every type of business. Our team has deep underwriting and industry knowledge in cannabis, pet care, self-storage, and food and beverage — sectors that are often underserved by generalist carriers. We are also a Keystone Insurers Group partner agency, which gives us access to a broader carrier roster than a standalone independent agency.

Is Spire affiliated with another insurance agency?

Spire Insurance Solutions and Top O' Michigan Insurance Solutions are sister agencies under Spire America Holdings, Inc. Top O' Michigan serves individuals, families, and small-to-mid-sized businesses primarily in northern Michigan, while Spire focuses on specialty commercial coverage nationally.

How do I file a claim with Spire?

Most claims are reported directly to the insurance carrier so adjusters can be dispatched quickly. If you do not have your carrier's claim line handy, call Spire at 800-686-8664 or email service@thespireteam.com and we will route you to the right place. Spire stays involved as your advocate throughout the claims process.

Where is Spire Insurance Solutions located?

Spire is headquartered at 3183 Logan Valley Rd, Traverse City, Michigan 49684, with a second office at 400 Renaissance Center, Suite 2600, Detroit, Michigan 48243. Phone 800-686-8664. Email service@thespireteam.com.

The Origins of 4/20: A Deep Dive into Cannabis Culture's Favorite Holiday

Every April 20, cannabis operators see a sales spike, retailers run promotions, and headlines reference “420.” But where did the term actually come from?

The most credible origin story traces to a group of high school students in San Rafael, California in the early 1970s — a group nicknamed “the Waldos” for the wall they'd hang out by. The story goes: the Waldos heard about an abandoned cannabis crop hidden somewhere near the coast, and they'd meet at 4:20 p.m. each day at a statue of Louis Pasteur to begin their search. They never found the crop. But the time — 4:20 — stuck.

From there, the term spread through the Grateful Dead community (where one of the Waldos had connections) and into the broader cannabis culture of the 1980s and 1990s. By the time states began legalizing in the 2010s, “4/20” was an established cultural shorthand.

Why it matters for cannabis operators

Beyond the cultural significance, 4/20 has become a major commercial moment for the cannabis industry. Operators typically see:

Sales volume 30–60% higher than a typical day
Increased foot traffic at dispensaries
Heavy promotional discounting and event marketing
Higher inventory turnover, requiring extra staff and security

From an insurance perspective, 4/20 is also a higher-exposure day:

More cash on premises means crime exposure spikes
Foot traffic means slip-and-fall and general liability claims rise
Promotional events that include consumption (where legal) increase products liability exposure
Special-event endorsements may be required for any off-site activations