Protect Your Valuable Equipment & Property In Transit
Trusted by Businesses Since 1992
Our deep experience in protecting mobile equipment and valuables means you'll get expert advice and quality coverage from an independent broker who puts your needs first.
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Think of Inland Marine as a Safety Net for Your Valuable Property
We understand – insurance isn't exciting until you need it. But when your expensive equipment is damaged or stolen, you'll be relieved to have the right coverage in place.
The Costly Construction Delay
A small general contractor was transporting a $75,000 backhoe between job sites when a severe hailstorm hit unexpectedly. The equipment suffered $12,000 in damage to its electronics and controls, potentially delaying multiple projects. With proper Inland Marine coverage, the repairs were covered after just a $1,000 deductible, and the contractor was able to secure a temporary replacement through their policy's rental reimbursement provision.
The Trade Show Nightmare Averted
A specialty electronics manufacturer was shipping $85,000 worth of prototype equipment to a major industry trade show. During transit, the delivery truck was involved in a minor accident, causing shock damage to sensitive components. Their Inland Marine policy covered not only the $32,000 in equipment repairs, but also the additional expedited shipping costs to ensure everything arrived in time for this critical business opportunity.
When Mother Nature Threatens Your Livelihood
An agricultural equipment dealer had $250,000 worth of machinery stored in their outdoor lot when a major storm hit. High winds and flooding caused extensive damage to multiple pieces of equipment, threatening the business's financial stability. Their comprehensive Inland Marine policy with specific weather endorsements covered over $175,000 in damages and provided business interruption support during repairs, preventing what could have been a devastating financial loss.
Build Protection That Moves With Your Business
Builders Risk Coverage: Protects Your Construction Project from Unexpected Damage or Loss
Building or renovating always carries risk. From theft to storms, one incident can delay your project and drain your investment. Builders Risk Coverage safeguards your materials, equipment, and progress until construction is complete, so a setback doesn't become a disaster.
Installation Floater Coverage: Protects Materials and Equipment Awaiting or Under Installation
When you’re responsible for valuable materials on a job site, one unexpected incident can mean thousands lost. Installation Floater Coverage safeguards property and equipment during transport, storage, and installation—so a single mishap doesn’t derail your project or your business.
Fine Arts Coverage: Protects Your Art From Theft, Fire, and Accidental Damage
Standard insurance often limits payouts for valuable art. Fine Arts Coverage is designed for anyone who owns or displays paintings, sculptures, antiques, or rare collectibles—helping you avoid major financial loss if the unexpected happens.
Mobile Equipment Coverage: Safeguards Your Movable Tools and Equipment—On and Off the Jobsite
Stolen loader? Storm-damaged excavator? Standard policies often fall short, leaving you exposed to costly losses. Mobile Equipment Coverage bridges the gap, protecting the equipment that keeps your business moving—whether on a construction site or in transit.
Bailee's Customer Coverage: Protects Your Customers' Property in Your Care
When you're trusted with someone else's property—whether you're a repair shop, storage provider, or service business—standard insurance often isn't enough. Bailee's Customer Coverage gives you confidence that your clients' belongings are protected from accidents, loss, or damage while in your custody, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected liability.
Valuable Papers & Records Coverage: Protects the Irreplaceable Documents Your Business Depends On
A fire, flood, or disaster could destroy unique documents, blueprints, deeds, or patient charts that regular property insurance won’t fully replace. This coverage means your critical paper records and key printed documents are protected, so your operations, clients, and reputation stay secure—even after disaster.
Smart Coverage Decisions Start With Understanding Your Unique Risks
Different businesses require different approaches to Inland Marine protection. Let's find the strategic coverage that makes sense for your specific equipment, industry, and usage patterns.
New & Growing Businesses
Starting and growing your business means carefully managing cash flow while protecting your essential equipment investments. Your priority should be protecting high-value mobile equipment that's critical to your operations, as a single loss could significantly impact your business continuity.
Smart moves include focusing on coverage for your most expensive and frequently transported equipment, ensuring appropriate hail and weather protection based on your equipment storage, and considering rental reimbursement options to maintain operations if equipment is damaged.
Established Operations with Multiple Assets
With an established business managing multiple pieces of equipment, you need comprehensive coverage that scales with your growing assets while still providing affordable protection. Your equipment is constantly in motion between job sites, storage facilities, and maintenance locations.
Your coverage strategy should include blanket policies that cover multiple pieces of equipment under a single limit, scheduled coverage for your highest-value items with specific protection levels, and business interruption extensions to maintain cash flow if critical equipment is damaged.
Specialized & High-Value Equipment Operators
Businesses with specialized, high-value equipment face unique risk exposures that require tailored protection. Your expensive specialized equipment often represents a significant portion of your business assets and may require technical expertise to repair or replace.
Your Inland Marine strategy should incorporate specialized valuation methods like replacement cost or agreed value for unique equipment, endorsements for equipment breakdown that includes technical components, and custom transit protection for when equipment needs factory service or specialized maintenance.
The 3-Question Coverage Framework
Ask yourself these three questions for every coverage option:
1. What's the true cost of equipment downtime?
Calculate beyond just replacement value. If your $50,000 piece of equipment generates $2,500 in revenue daily, a two-week repair means $35,000 in lost income on top of repair costs. Understanding this total financial impact helps determine appropriate coverage levels and business interruption needs.
2. What environmental risks does your equipment face?
Be realistic about weather exposures based on your operations. Equipment regularly stored outdoors faces significantly different risks than equipment kept in secure facilities. Customize your coverage with appropriate endorsements for your actual exposure to elements like hail, flood, and wind.
3. How specialized is your equipment?
Standard valuation may not work for specialized equipment. If your equipment is custom-built, rare, or would take months to replace, ensure your policy reflects proper valuation methods and includes provisions for extended replacement time and temporary alternatives.
🚩 Red Flags: When "Basic" Inland Marine Coverage Falls Short 🚩
Weather Exclusions in High-Risk Areas: Many standard policies limit or exclude hail or flood damage, yet these account for 68% of claims. Ensure your policy specifically includes these perils without excessive limitations.
Inadequate Transit Coverage: Some policies only cover equipment at specific locations but not while in transit between sites. True Inland Marine should protect your property wherever it goes.
Valuation Based Only on Actual Cash Value: This depreciation-based approach often leaves you significantly underfunded for repairs or replacement. Consider replacement cost or agreed value options for high-value equipment.
Missing Business Interruption Protection: Equipment repairs take time, but basic policies only cover the property itself. Without business interruption coverage, you're losing income every day your equipment is out of commission.
The Economics of Protecting Mobile Equipment & Property
Understanding the true value of Inland Marine insurance means looking beyond premiums to the comprehensive protection of your business assets and revenue stream.
Cost Comparisons
Equipment Damaged by Severe Weather:
With proper Inland Marine: $500-$2,500 (your deductible)
Without coverage: $15,000-$250,000+ (full replacement cost plus business interruption)
Theft of Mobile Equipment:
With Inland Marine coverage: $1,000-$2,500 (deductible + minimal downtime with rental reimbursement)
Self-insured approach: $25,000-$100,000+ (full replacement plus weeks of lost revenue)
Transit Damage to Specialized Equipment:
With comprehensive coverage: $500-$1,000 (deductible with expedited repairs)
Without protection: $10,000-$85,000+ (repairs plus missed opportunities)
The Real World
68% of Inland Marine claims are weather-related, making specialized endorsements for hail and flooding essential components of comprehensive protection.
Only 35% of small-to-midsize businesses have Inland Marine policies, despite 82% regularly transporting valuable equipment that's vulnerable to damage and theft.
$28,000 is the average Inland Marine claim amount for weather-related incidents, with business interruption adding approximately $18,000 per day in lost revenue and additional expenses.
12 businesses closed within six months after a significant weather event due to underinsurance of mobile equipment and property, highlighting the critical importance of proper coverage.
Protect Your Mobile Equipment & Business Continuity
Join the thousands of businesses who trust our independent agency to find the right Inland Marine coverage at competitive rates from our network of 26 top-rated carriers.
FAQs
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