Protect the tools, equipment, and portable property you move from job site to job site. Inland marine insurance covers your gear during transport, at customer locations, and even in your vehicle, because equipment left behind isn’t covered by property insurance.
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Tools and equipment insurance fills gaps left by property policies. It covers gear in transit, on job sites, or off-site locations, ensuring contractors, landscapers, and tradespeople stay protected wherever work takes them.
Protects drills, saws, ladders, generators, and hand tools when taken off your premises to job sites or customer locations.
Covers larger equipment like scaffolding, compressors, pumps, and temporary structures left overnight at active construction or work sites.
Protects tablets, laptops, cameras, diagnostic equipment, and GPS devices used for work, even when carried between locations.
Covers refrigerated or temperature-controlled equipment and inventory when transported or temporarily stored away from your main location.
A comprehensive inland marine insurance policy includes multiple coverage components that work together to protect your mobile equipment and portable property.
Protects portable tools and equipment from theft, loss, or accidental damage while on job sites or being transported between locations
Covers business property and equipment while being moved between locations, whether in your vehicle or through third party transportation services.
Protects materials, supplies, and equipment during installation projects before completion, covering risks like theft, damage, or loss on active job sites
Covers heavy machinery and specialized equipment used across multiple job sites, protecting against theft, damage, and unexpected losses during operations
Extends protection to business property stored or used away from your main location, ensuring coverage follows your equipment wherever it goes
Provides protection for equipment you rent, lease, or borrow, covering damage, loss, or theft while in your temporary possession or control.
These real-world situations show why contractor equipment insurance is essential for any business operating beyond a fixed location. Tools and equipment face constant risks during transport and on job sites, making proper coverage critical for financial protection.
A electrician parks their work truck outside a customer’s home. During the job, someone breaks in and steals $8,000 worth of drills, saws, and testing equipment.
Tools and equipment insurance covers the full replacement cost.
A cleaning crew finishes a late-night office clean and accidentally leaves their $2,000 industrial vacuum behind.
It’s gone the next morning. Cleaning equipment insurance covers the loss even though it wasn’t stolen.
A general contractor rents a large air compressor for a foundation job.
A subcontractor’s vehicle backs into it, causing $4,000 in damage. Inland marine covers the repair cost.
A painter’s $2,500 sprayer breaks down in the middle of a large residential job.
Inland marine covers the repair and rental of a replacement sprayer to finish the project on time.
Understanding your policy’s limits helps you choose the right level of protection for your business size and risk exposure.
Per-Occurrence Limit
$1M – $2M
Included
Max per single claim event
General Aggregate Limit
$2M – $4M
Included
Total for all claims per policy year
Products/Completed Ops
$2M aggregate
Included
Applies after work is finished
Personal & Advertising Injury
$1M per occurrence
Included
Defamation, IP infringement
Damage to Rented Premises
$50K–$300K
Included
Fire, explosion damage to rented space
Cyber Liability Rider
$250K+
Add-On
Optional endorsement
Umbrella / Excess Coverage
$1M–$5M+
Add-On
Extends above primary limits
Per-Occurrence Limit
$1M – $2M
Included
Max per single claim event
General Aggregate Limit
$2M – $4M
Included
Total for all claims per policy year
Products/Completed Ops
$2M aggregate
Included
Applies after work is finished
Personal & Advertising Injury
$1M per occurrence
Included
Defamation, IP infringement
Damage to Rented Premises
$50K–$300K
Included
Fire, explosion damage to rented space
Cyber Liability Rider
$250K+
Add-On
Optional endorsement
Umbrella / Excess Coverage
$1M–$5M+
Add-On
Extends above primary limits
From contractors to cleaning crews, if your equipment leaves your premises, inland marine coverage is essential. It protects tools and equipment in transit or on job sites. Here are the industries we most commonly protect.
Tools on job sites, equipment in transit, scaffolding rentals
Hand tools, testing equipment, ladders moved between jobs
Pipe cameras, drain snakes, torch kits, portable pumps
Mowers, trimmers, blowers, leaf vacuums on trailers
Industrial vacuums, floor buffers, pressure washers
Sprayers, ladders, drop cloths, scaffolding
Cameras, lenses, lighting, tripods, backup drives
Chafing dishes, portable ovens, serving equipment
Premiums vary based on your industry, equipment value, and claims history. Most small businesses pay far less than expected, often under $500 per year.
Higher equipment value = higher premium. Insure tools at replacement cost, not used value
Contractors pay more than photographers. Landscapers pay more than caterers
Locked vehicle? Job site? Shop? Your storage security affects your rate
Higher deductible = lower annual premium. 500–500–1,000 is common
Clean record = lower rates. Prior theft or damage claims = higher premiums
More hands on your tools = higher risk of loss or damage
Low-risk businesses like consultants may pay as little as $42/month. Higher-risk trades like contractors typically pay $80–$200/month.
Customize your inland marine insurance coverage with endorsements that address specific risks for your industry, because a plumber and a photographer face completely different equipment threats.
Covers cost of renting replacement equipment while yours is being repaired after a covered loss
Automatically covers new tools purchased during your policy period, no need to call mid-term
Extends coverage beyond the US and Canada for equipment used in international jobs
Covers tools your employees own but use for your business, protects you and them
Removes the "vehicle must be locked" requirement for theft claims, critical for quick stops
Allows you to add clients as additional insureds on your inland marine policy without paperwork
We offer tiered coverage options so you only pay for what your business actually needs.
We’ve streamlined the process so you spend less time on paperwork and more time on the job.
List your tools and equipment, their value, where you store them overnight, and how often they leave your premises
Our agents shop top-rated inland marine insurance providers to find the best coverage at the best rate for your specific trades
Receive a clear, easy-to-understand quote with no confusing jargon, compare deductibles, coverage limits, and endorsements
Purchase your policy online or with an agent, get your Certificate of Insurance immediately for client contracts
Everything you need to know about inland marine insurance.
Inland marine vs property insurance comes down to location. Property insurance covers equipment at your business address. Inland marine covers equipment in transit, at job sites, or at customer locations. Most contractors need both, property for the shop, inland marine for everything else.
Yes, but read your policy carefully. Some carriers require the truck to be locked with windows up and visible damage. Others exclude unattended vehicles entirely. We’ll help you find inland marine insurance coverage that fits how you actually work.
We can provide an inland marine insurance quote online in under 10 minutes. Just tell us what equipment you have, its value, and where you store it. Same-day binding and instant Certificates of Insurance available for most small businesses.
Yes, completely different coverages. General liability covers damage you cause to OTHERS’ property. Inland marine covers damage or theft of YOUR equipment. A general liability policy won’t pay a penny to replace your stolen drill or broken sprayer.
Permanently attached vehicle equipment, inventory held for sale, and large structures like temporary buildings. Contractor equipment insurance focuses on portable, movable, transportable gear only.
“$7,000 worth of drills, saws, and testing equipment stolen from my locked truck overnight. My property insurance denied the claim because I wasn’t at my shop. Inland marine paid within two weeks.”
Electrician
“I’m a landscaper. My zero-turn mower fell off my trailer on the highway — $9,000 in damage. My agent told me property insurance wouldn’t cover it. Switched to inland marine that same week.”
Landscaper
“As a cleaning business owner, I have three crews with expensive industrial vacuums and floor buffers. One crew left a $2,000 vacuum at a client site overnight. Gone by morning. Inland marine covered every dollar.”
Cleaning Business Nashville, TN
“I’m a wedding photographer with $15,000 in camera gear. A guest knocked over my tripod — lens shattered, body damaged. My inland marine policy covered the repair and rental of backup equipment for the next wedding.”
Photographer Richmond, VA
Tools and equipment insurance protects your portable gear, but a complete protection strategy often includes these additional policies.
Covers equipment, tools, and inventory stored at your business address, your shop, garage, or warehouse
Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims, a client tripping over your equipment on their property
Covers vehicles used for work, essential if your tools travel in company trucks, vans, or trailers
Required if you have employees, covers medical bills and lost wages if a worker is injured on a job site
Bundles general liability + commercial property into one cost-effective package, add inland marine as an endorsement
Protects against data breaches, essential if you store client information on portable laptops or tablets
Get a free, no-obligation quote in minutes. Our agents are standing by to help you find the right coverage.