Protect the Property Your Business Moves, Stores & Uses
Your business depends on equipment, tools, materials, inventory, and other property to get the job done. But standard commercial property insurance may not provide the specialized protection your business needs when property is transported, stored away from your primary location, or used at job sites.
Commercial Inland Marine Insurance is designed to help protect certain business property while it is being transported, in temporary locations, or otherwise exposed to risks that may fall outside the scope of a traditional commercial property policy.
At A-1 Insurance Services Inc., we can help you identify your exposures and find coverage options designed around your business.
What Is Commercial Inland Marine Insurance?
Despite the name, inland marine insurance has nothing to do with ocean or watercraft insurance.
Commercial inland marine coverage is generally designed for property that is:
- Frequently transported
- Used away from your primary business location
- Stored at temporary locations
- In the care, custody, or control of your business
- Being installed or transported to a job site
- Particularly valuable or specialized
The appropriate coverage depends on the type of property and how your business uses it.
Who May Need Commercial Inland Marine Insurance?
Commercial inland marine coverage can be valuable for many types of businesses, including:
- General contractors
- Construction companies
- Landscapers
- Tree service companies
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- HVAC contractors
- Environmental contractors
- Equipment rental businesses
- Transportation businesses
- Manufacturers
- Wholesalers
- Retailers
- Technology businesses
- Photographers
- Event companies
- Businesses with specialized equipment
Contractors Equipment
Contractors frequently move expensive equipment from one job site to another.
Coverage may be available for eligible equipment such as:
- Skid steers
- Excavators
- Backhoes
- Generators
- Compressors
- Pumps
- Welding equipment
- Specialized machinery
- Hand tools
- Power tools
- Portable equipment
Installation Floater
Businesses that install equipment or materials may need coverage while property is being transported to a job site, stored temporarily, or awaiting installation.
An installation floater may provide coverage for eligible property during the installation process, subject to the policy terms.
This can be particularly important for contractors handling:
- HVAC equipment
- Electrical equipment
- Plumbing materials
- Building materials
- Machinery
- Fixtures
- Specialty equipment
Tools & Equipment
Tools are essential to many businesses and can represent a significant investment.
Commercial inland marine coverage may help protect eligible tools and equipment against covered losses while they are being transported or used away from your primary business location.
Transportation & Property in Transit
Businesses that transport property belonging to themselves or others may have specialized insurance needs.
Commercial inland marine coverage can be designed to address certain property while it is in transit, depending on the policy and type of exposure.
Property at Temporary Locations
Your business property doesn't always stay at your primary business address.
Equipment, tools, inventory, or materials may be located at:
- Customer locations
- Job sites
- Temporary storage facilities
- Construction sites
- Trade shows
- Events
- Warehouses
- Other temporary locations
Inland marine coverage can help address certain exposures associated with property away from your normal premises.
Why Is Inland Marine Coverage Important?
A standard commercial property policy may be designed primarily around property located at your scheduled business premises. Businesses that regularly move property or operate at multiple locations can have additional exposures.
Without the appropriate coverage, a loss involving equipment, tools, materials, or other property could result in significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Common Risks
Depending on the type of coverage, commercial inland marine insurance may help protect against covered losses involving:
- Theft
- Fire
- Certain weather-related losses
- Accidental damage
- Property in transit
- Damage at temporary locations
- Losses involving specialized equipment
Coverage varies by policy, so it's important to review the specific terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits
Protect Your Business Equipment & Property
Your tools, equipment, materials, and inventory are investments that help keep your business operating. When that property travels with you, additional insurance considerations may apply.
At A-1 Insurance Services Inc., we can help review how your business uses and transports property and identify potential coverage gaps.
Let A-1 Insurance Services Inc. Help
Whether you're a contractor with equipment on multiple job sites, a business transporting valuable property, or a company with specialized equipment, we can help you explore your commercial inland marine insurance options.