Inland Marine Insurance
Protection for equipment, tools, and property that travels with your business.
If your valuable equipment leaves your business premises—whether it's tools at a job site, goods in transit, or materials being installed at a customer's location—standard commercial property insurance won't cover it. That's where inland marine insurance comes in. It follows your property wherever your work takes you.
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Tell us about your equipment and we'll find the right coverage
Why Is It Called "Inland Marine" Insurance?
The name comes from the insurance industry's history. Ocean marine insurance has existed for centuries, protecting cargo ships and their contents. When businesses needed coverage for goods transported over land (by train, then trucks), insurers extended marine concepts "inland." Today, inland marine covers any property that moves or is used away from your fixed location—even if water is nowhere in sight. Think of it as insurance for property that travels.
What Inland Marine Covers
Mobile Equipment & Tools
Portable equipment and tools that travel to job sites—power tools, generators, compressors, welding equipment, surveying instruments, and specialized machinery. Covered whether in use, in transit, or temporarily stored.
Goods in Transit
Property being transported by your business or on your behalf. Covers damage, theft, or loss while goods are moving from one location to another—whether by truck, rail, or air.
Property at Job Sites
Equipment and materials temporarily located at customer locations, construction sites, or other off-premises locations. Protects your property wherever your work takes you.
Installation Floaters
Materials and equipment you're installing at a customer's location until the job is complete and accepted. Covers everything from HVAC systems to flooring materials during installation.
Leased & Rented Equipment
Equipment you rent or lease for specific jobs. Many rental agreements require you to carry coverage—inland marine provides it, often at a lower cost than the rental company's insurance.
Types of Inland Marine Coverage
Inland marine isn't one-size-fits-all. Different policies address different needs:
Contractors Equipment Floater
The most common inland marine policy for contractors. Covers owned, leased, and borrowed equipment used in your trade—from hand tools to heavy machinery like backhoes and excavators.
Installation Floater
Protects materials and equipment during installation at customer sites. Essential for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other installation contractors.
Builders Risk
Covers buildings and structures under construction, including materials and equipment on site. Protects against fire, theft, vandalism, and weather damage during the construction process.
Electronic Data Processing (EDP)
Specialized coverage for computers, servers, and electronic equipment that travels with your business or is located at multiple sites.
Motor Truck Cargo
Covers goods you're transporting for customers. Essential for trucking companies, delivery services, and any business that hauls customer property.
Valuable Papers & Records
Protects important documents, blueprints, plans, and records that are difficult or impossible to replace. Covers the cost of reconstructing lost information.
How Is This Different from Commercial Property Insurance?
| Aspect | Commercial Property | Inland Marine |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Covers property at your listed business address(es) | Covers property wherever it goes—job sites, client locations, in transit |
| Mobility | Designed for stationary property that stays put | Designed for property that moves regularly |
| Valuation | Often covers at actual cash value (depreciated) | Typically covers at replacement cost or agreed value |
| Scheduling | Covers general contents with blanket limits | Can schedule specific high-value items individually |
Bottom line: If your equipment stays at your business, commercial property covers it. If it travels, you need inland marine.
What's NOT Covered
Understanding exclusions helps you identify gaps in your coverage:
Who Needs Inland Marine Insurance?
If valuable equipment regularly leaves your premises, you likely need inland marine. This is especially true for businesses where equipment is their livelihood—and losing it means losing income.
General Contractors
Tools, equipment, and materials at multiple job sites
Electricians & Plumbers
Portable tools and installation materials in transit
HVAC Contractors
Expensive equipment and units during installation
Landscapers
Mowers, trailers, and equipment used off-premises
Delivery Services
Goods being transported for customers
IT Service Providers
Computers and equipment at client locations
Photographers & Videographers
Cameras and equipment taken on location
Medical Equipment Suppliers
Expensive equipment in transit and at facilities
Real Claims Examples
See how inland marine protects businesses in common scenarios:
Tools Stolen from Job Site
Scenario: Thieves break into your work trailer overnight and steal $15,000 worth of power tools, compressors, and hand tools.
Coverage: Inland marine pays to replace all stolen equipment, minus your deductible. You're back to work within days instead of weeks.
Equipment Damaged in Transit
Scenario: Your excavator falls off the trailer during transport, causing $25,000 in damage to the machine.
Coverage: Inland marine covers repair costs for the equipment. Without it, you'd be paying out of pocket—commercial auto only covers the trailer.
Fire at Construction Site
Scenario: A fire destroys $50,000 worth of materials and equipment you had stored at a building under construction.
Coverage: Inland marine (builders risk) covers your materials and equipment. The building owner's policy doesn't cover your property.
Installation Materials Damaged
Scenario: Water damage ruins $8,000 worth of hardwood flooring you were installing in a customer's home.
Coverage: Your installation floater covers the damaged materials. You can complete the job without eating the cost.
Rented Equipment Theft
Scenario: A $30,000 piece of equipment you rented for a job is stolen from the work site.
Coverage: Inland marine pays the rental company for the loss, avoiding the inflated replacement cost they would have charged you.
What Affects Your Premium?
Inland marine premiums depend on what you're covering and how you protect it:
Equipment Value
Total value of covered equipment directly affects premium—more expensive equipment costs more to insure
Type of Equipment
High-theft items (hand tools, electronics) cost more than heavy equipment that's harder to steal
Storage & Security
Locked storage, GPS tracking, and alarm systems can reduce premiums
Claims History
Previous losses increase your rates; a clean record earns discounts
Deductible Choice
Higher deductibles lower premiums but increase your out-of-pocket costs
Coverage Territory
Wider geographic coverage (multi-state operations) may cost more
Typical Range: For contractors with $50,000-$100,000 in equipment, expect to pay $500-$1,500 annually. Larger operations with more valuable equipment will pay more. The only way to know your exact cost is to get a quote with a complete equipment list.
Get Your Inland Marine Quote
Protect your mobile equipment, tools, and materials wherever your work takes you. Let's find the right coverage for your business.
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