Inland Marine Insurance for Tools, Equipment & Goods in Transit

Your contractors' equipment moving between jobsites, goods in transit to clients, and property stored at temporary locations need protection standard commercial policies don't provide. Inland marine insurance covers the gaps.

  • Coverage for tools, equipment, and goods that standard commercial property policies exclude
  • Multi-carrier comparison for the best coverage and rates
  • Tailored protection for contractors, service businesses, and equipment-intensive operations

Inland marine insurance solves a specific problem: standard commercial property insurance ties your coverage to a fixed business location, but your business isn't always in one place. If you're a contractor moving tools and equipment between jobsites, a distributor transporting goods to customers, a medical practice with high-value portable diagnostic equipment, or any business with property that moves or is temporarily stored off-site, your standard commercial property policy likely leaves you exposed. Inland marine insurance was created specifically to protect business property that's mobile, in transit, or stored outside your primary business location — the coverage that general commercial property insurance simply doesn't touch.

The name 'inland marine' is historical; it comes from marine and ocean cargo insurance, adapted decades ago for inland property that moves by truck, rail, or other means. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with water or boats. What it does is cover high-value business equipment, tools, goods, and materials wherever they are — on a job site fifty miles away, in a customer's hands, in a storage facility, or in transit between locations. For contractors, this means protection for expensive tools and equipment that spend more time off your premises than on them. For service businesses, it means coverage for portable equipment like cameras, computers, or diagnostic devices that travel with technicians. For manufacturers or distributors, it means protection for goods in customer care, installation materials awaiting placement, and inventory in temporary storage. Where standard commercial property insurance sees gaps, inland marine insurance provides the targeted solution.

California's business environment makes inland marine coverage particularly relevant. Inland Empire businesses move equipment across regions regularly; service businesses depend on portable, high-value tools; and contract work is endemic to construction and related industries statewide. When clients hire you to work at their premises or transport goods to their locations, your equipment and their property are both at risk — and your clients often contractually require you to carry inland marine coverage to protect property in your care. Many service contracts, construction agreements, and vendor arrangements include explicit provisions that you must maintain inland marine insurance or assume full liability for any loss. Understanding what inland marine covers, what it doesn't, and how it differs from your standard commercial property policy can be the difference between absorbing a catastrophic loss yourself and having insurance respond.

At Covered By Us, we specialize in getting contractors, service businesses, and equipment-intensive operations the right inland marine coverage. We understand the difference between contractors equipment floaters, bailee coverage for customer property, transit coverage for goods in motion, and the dozens of other inland marine endorsements and specialized policies. We shop multiple carriers to find coverage structured for your specific operation — whether you're a single contractor with a few thousand dollars of tools or a larger operation with equipment spread across multiple job sites statewide. Let's talk through your operation and the property you need to protect.

Who Needs Inland Marine Insurance

Inland marine insurance isn't for every business, but it's essential for operations with mobile, high-value property or equipment used off-premises. Here are the profiles who rely on it:

Contractors and Trades

General contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, roofing contractors, and other trades professionals move expensive tools, equipment, and materials between job sites daily. A contractor's pneumatic tools, power equipment, scaffolding, and specialized gear represent significant investment, and standard commercial property insurance won't cover tools stolen from a job site or damaged on a customer's property. Inland marine contractors equipment coverage is built for this exact scenario — it follows your tools wherever you're working.

Service Businesses with Portable Equipment

Medical practices with portable diagnostic equipment, IT service providers with specialized computers and diagnostic tools, photography and video production companies, audio/visual technicians, and similar service businesses depend on high-value portable equipment that travels between client locations. This equipment needs protection while in use at client sites, in transit, and stored at temporary locations. Inland marine coverage ensures your equipment is protected even when you're working off-premises and away from your primary business location.

Businesses Regularly Transporting Goods or Materials

Distributors, wholesalers, small manufacturers, and businesses that regularly transport goods to customer locations or temporary storage need protection for property in transit and at off-site locations. If you're responsible for goods from the time they leave your warehouse until they reach a customer or temporary storage site, inland marine coverage bridges gaps that standard property insurance leaves open. This includes both your own goods and property you're holding on behalf of clients.

Operations with Property Temporarily Stored Off-Site

Businesses that store equipment, inventory, or materials at construction sites, customer locations, warehouse facilities, or other temporary locations face risk that standard commercial property insurance doesn't address. An equipment rental company with gear at multiple customer sites, a manufacturing firm with materials at customer warehouses awaiting installation, or a contractor with tools stored at a long-term job site all need inland marine coverage to protect property outside their main business address.

Businesses with High-Value Portable Assets

Companies with expensive portable equipment — cameras and video production gear, precision diagnostic computers, specialized testing equipment, or valuable tools and machinery — need inland marine coverage to protect these assets even when they're away from your office or shop. High-value portable property carries different risk and often commands specialized coverage that general commercial policies don't adequately address. Inland marine insurance is built for these situations.

Vendors and Service Providers Required by Contract

Many commercial contracts, construction agreements, and vendor arrangements require service providers to carry inland marine insurance as a condition of working with the client. If your contracts with major clients require you to maintain contractors equipment coverage, bailee coverage, or other inland marine protection, you're an ideal candidate. We help you meet contractual requirements without overpaying for coverage you don't need.

What Inland Marine Insurance Covers

Contractors Equipment & Tools

Coverage for tools, equipment, machinery, and specialized gear owned by contractors and used at job sites, in storage, or in transit. This includes power tools, pneumatic equipment, diagnostic computers, safety equipment, measuring instruments, and similar property. Contractors equipment coverage is specifically designed to follow your tools wherever your work takes you — whether you're across town or hours away — and covers loss from theft, damage, vandalism, and other covered perils. This is one of the most common and valuable inland marine endorsements for construction and trades professionals.

Property in Transit

Coverage for goods, equipment, and materials while in transit to customers, job sites, or temporary storage locations. If you're responsible for goods from the time they leave your warehouse or business until they reach their destination, inland marine transit coverage protects against loss from accidents, theft, weather damage, and other covered perils. This applies whether goods are traveling by truck, rail, or other means, and whether you're using your own vehicles or third-party carriers. Transit coverage is essential for any business that ships or transports goods regularly.

Property at Off-Site Locations

Coverage for equipment and property stored at customer sites, construction job sites, warehouse facilities, or other temporary locations away from your main business address. An equipment rental company's gear at customer locations, a contractor's tools stored at a long-term job site, or a manufacturer's materials stored at a customer's warehouse all need protection for loss from theft, damage, or other perils. This coverage travels with your property to wherever you're storing or using it.

Installation Floater

Coverage for materials, equipment, and goods awaiting installation at customer locations. Roofing materials stacked at a customer's home, HVAC equipment staged at a commercial building pending installation, flooring materials stored at a renovation project, and similar property need protection from the time they're delivered until installation is complete. Installation floater coverage protects this transitional property and closes the gap between transit coverage and final placement.

Bailee Coverage

Protection for customer property in your care, custody, and control. If you're a service provider, contractor, or business that holds customer property — tools and equipment brought to you for repair, goods consigned to you for sale, customer equipment in your warehouse, or materials you're preparing for customer installation — bailee coverage protects you if that property is lost, stolen, or damaged while in your care. Many contracts require bailee coverage as a condition of doing business with the client. Without it, you could be personally liable for customer property losses.

Electronic Data Processing Equipment

Coverage for computers, servers, specialized diagnostic equipment, and other electronic gear used in your business. Unlike some commercial property policies that exclude or limit electronic equipment, inland marine coverage can be tailored to protect high-value computing and diagnostic equipment. This is particularly important for service businesses that depend on portable computers, technicians who carry high-value diagnostic computers to customer sites, or operations with specialized electronic equipment that travels between locations.

Maintenance & Repair Equipment

Coverage for equipment and machinery used for maintenance and repair work, whether owned by you or customer-provided. Service businesses often use specialized maintenance equipment that travels to customer sites. Inland marine coverage ensures this equipment is protected against loss from theft, damage, or other perils, whether it's owned by you or temporarily provided by the customer as part of a service agreement.

Goods in Customers' Hands

Protection for your property while it's at a customer's location — whether it's equipment you've installed and are maintaining, materials you've delivered for customer use, or tools and machinery you've provided as part of a service agreement. If you're providing equipment to customers or holding your property at customer sites, inland marine coverage ensures you're protected if loss occurs while that property is in customer custody.

Equipment in Testing or Quality Control

Coverage for equipment and materials undergoing testing, quality control, or inspection at your facility or a customer's location. If your business involves manufacturing, assembly, or quality assurance, property in testing phases needs protection. Inland marine coverage can be structured to cover property while it's in these transitional stages, between manufacturing and final delivery, or undergoing customer inspection.

How to Get Inland Marine Coverage Through Covered By Us

Getting the right inland marine coverage means understanding your operation, the property you need to protect, and matching it to the right insurance structure. Here's how the process works:

1

Describe Your Operation and Property Needing Protection

Start by walking us through your business: Are you a contractor moving tools between job sites? A service business with portable equipment? A distributor transporting goods? A business storing equipment at customer locations? Describe the property you need to protect — what equipment do you own, what's its approximate value, where is it located, how often does it move, and how is it used? The more detail you provide about your operation, the better we can match you to coverage that actually fits your needs.

2

Review Your Contracts and Coverage Requirements

Pull out your commercial contracts, vendor agreements, and client engagement letters. Do any of them require you to carry inland marine coverage, contractors equipment floaters, bailee coverage, or other specific protection? Many contracts specify minimum coverage types and limits as a condition of doing business. We'll review your requirements and make sure we're building coverage that meets your contractual obligations, not just your basic insurance needs.

3

Inventory Your Property and Assess Values

Work with us to create a detailed inventory of the property you need to protect. For contractors, this means listing tools, equipment, and machinery by category and estimated value. For service businesses, it's portable equipment like computers, diagnostic devices, cameras, or specialized instruments. For distributors and manufacturers, it's goods in transit and goods in customer care. Accurate valuation is critical — underinsured property means inadequate recovery if loss occurs. We help you assess realistic replacement costs for the equipment you're protecting.

4

Meet with an Independent Agent for Inland Marine Expertise

Inland marine insurance is specialized; not every general insurance agent understands the nuances of contractors equipment floaters, bailee coverage, transit coverage, and installation floaters. Work with an agent who focuses on inland marine coverage and understands which carriers specialize in each type of protection. A good inland marine agent can design a policy structure that covers all your exposures without paying for unnecessary coverage. This consultation shapes everything that comes next.

5

Get Multi-Carrier Quotes Tailored to Your Operation

Different insurers specialize in different types of inland marine coverage. A carrier great at contractors equipment may not be competitive on bailee coverage. We shop multiple carriers on your behalf, getting quotes from insurers who specialize in your specific type of business and property. You'll see quotes for the same coverage from multiple carriers, so you can compare rates and choose the combination of price and coverage that fits your operation best.

6

Choose Your Coverage Limits and Endorsements

With your agent's guidance, you'll select your coverage limits for each type of property — contractors equipment, transit coverage, bailee coverage, and any other endorsements your operation needs. You'll choose your deductible (which affects your premium) and decide whether specialized endorsements or higher limits make sense for your situation. This is where you make informed decisions about what protection makes sense given your assets, your operation, and your risk tolerance.

7

Complete the Application and Underwriting

You'll complete a detailed application providing information about your business, the property you're protecting, your operation's history, and other details the carrier needs. Some inland marine policies require photos of property, equipment lists, or proof of values. Underwriting typically takes 5-10 business days for inland marine coverage. Being thorough and honest on your application ensures coverage won't be disputed later if you file a claim.

8

Receive Your Policy Documents and Activate Coverage

Once approved, you'll receive your policy documents. Take time to understand exactly what's covered, what limits apply to each type of property, what your deductible is, and any exclusions or restrictions specific to your operation. Your agent should walk through the coverage and answer any questions before you activate it. Once you pay your premium, your coverage is effective and active, protecting your property immediately.

Common Gaps & Risks Without Inland Marine Coverage

Standard commercial property insurance is built around a fixed business location. When your property and equipment are mobile or stored off-site, gaps emerge. Understanding these risks helps you protect your operation.

1

Theft of Tools and Equipment from Job Sites

Contractors and trades professionals store expensive tools and equipment at job sites, in vehicles, and in temporary storage, where theft is a constant risk. Standard commercial property insurance covers only property at your main business location; tools stolen from a job site, a customer's parking lot, or a storage facility are typically uninsured. Inland marine contractors equipment coverage follows your tools and protects them wherever you're working, providing coverage for theft that would otherwise leave you holding the loss.

2

Damage to Goods During Transit

When goods are in transit to customers or temporary storage locations, damage from accidents, weather, or rough handling can be substantial. If your standard commercial property policy excludes goods in transit, you're personally liable for the full cost of damaged goods. For distributors, manufacturers, and service businesses that transport goods regularly, transit coverage is essential protection. Without it, a single accident can result in a five or six-figure loss.

3

Loss of Property Stored at Temporary Locations

Equipment and materials stored at customer sites, construction locations, or warehouse facilities outside your main business address aren't covered by standard commercial property insurance, which is tied to your primary location. If property at a temporary storage site is stolen, damaged by fire or weather, or lost, you're personally liable. This gap is particularly dangerous for businesses with significant equipment deployed across multiple job sites.

4

Gaps in Standard Commercial Property Coverage

Most commercial property policies include specific exclusions for property in transit, property at locations other than the named premises, property in customer care, and similar situations. These exclusions exist because standard commercial property is designed to cover fixed business locations, not mobile or temporary property. Without inland marine coverage, these gaps become exposures — situations where you have no insurance protection and must absorb the full cost of loss yourself.

5

Liability for Customer Property in Your Care

If you're holding customer property — tools brought to you for repair, equipment consigned to you, or goods awaiting installation — and that property is lost or damaged, you could face significant liability. Without bailee coverage as part of your inland marine policy, you're personally responsible for customer property losses. Many contracts require you to carry bailee coverage; failing to have it can result in breach of contract, in addition to the direct loss.

6

Breach of Contract When Inland Marine Coverage Is Required

Many commercial contracts, construction agreements, and vendor arrangements require contractors and service providers to carry inland marine coverage — contractors equipment floaters, bailee coverage, or other inland marine protection. Without this coverage, you're in breach of contract, which can result in contract termination, loss of business, and potential liability for damages. Reviewing your contracts and ensuring you have required coverage is essential compliance work.

7

Catastrophic Loss from Theft or Damage of Portable Equipment

High-value portable equipment — cameras, diagnostic computers, specialized tools, or valuable machinery — represents substantial business investment. If this equipment is stolen, damaged in a vehicle or at a job site, or lost in transit without inland marine coverage, the loss is yours to absorb. For service businesses that depend on portable equipment, a single theft or accident could be financially devastating. Inland marine coverage protects against these catastrophic scenarios.

8

Uninsured Loss During Service Delivery

Service providers often carry equipment to customer locations and keep it there during service delivery. If that equipment is stolen, damaged by weather or a third party, or lost while at the customer's site, standard commercial property insurance likely won't respond. Inland marine coverage ensures your equipment is protected wherever you're delivering service, closing a critical gap that could otherwise leave you exposed.

California-Specific Context for Inland Marine Insurance

Inland marine insurance isn't regulated or mandated differently in California compared to other states — there's no California-specific law requiring contractors or service businesses to carry it. However, the practical reality for many California businesses is that their clients contractually require inland marine coverage as a condition of doing business. Construction contracts, service agreements, vendor arrangements, and professional engagement letters often include explicit insurance requirements, including specification that contractors or service providers must carry inland marine coverage, contractors equipment floaters, bailee coverage, or similar protection. These contractual requirements are often more demanding than any legal requirement, and failing to meet them can result in breach of contract, job termination, or liability for losses you could have insured.

California's construction industry is massive, and construction contracts are where inland marine coverage requirements typically appear most prominently. A general contractor working for a large developer, a plumbing company subcontracting on a commercial project, or a service provider hired by a property management company will often find contractual language specifying insurance minimums, including inland marine coverage. Property management companies, HOAs, and large commercial property owners similarly build insurance requirements into their vendor agreements. Before accepting a contract, reviewing the insurance specifications and ensuring you can meet them is essential compliance work. We help contractors and service providers understand their insurance obligations and put coverage in place to meet them.

California's legal liability environment means that if property in your care, custody, or control is lost or damaged, you could face significant personal liability even without a specific contractual requirement. Bailee coverage protects you in these situations, and it's worth considering for any business that regularly holds customer property or works at customer locations. Similarly, if your tools or equipment are stolen from a job site or storage facility, the loss is yours unless you have inland marine coverage. California's urban and semi-urban character means theft of tools and equipment is a realistic risk in many areas; contractors and service businesses should assume inland marine coverage is necessary protection, not optional.

Contractual Insurance Requirements in Service Agreements

Most commercial service agreements, construction contracts, and vendor arrangements include specific insurance requirements that the service provider must meet. These often specify minimum coverage types, minimum limits, and sometimes require inland marine insurance specifically. Before accepting a contract, review the insurance section and confirm you can meet all requirements. We help you understand these requirements and put coverage in place to comply.

Liability Exposure for Property in Your Care

California law holds businesses liable for property in their care, custody, or control, even without a contractual requirement. If customer property is lost or damaged while you're responsible for it, you could face significant liability. Bailee coverage protects you in these situations and should be considered essential for any business that regularly holds customer property or works at customer locations.

No State-Mandated Minimum Coverage Amounts

California doesn't specify minimum inland marine insurance amounts that businesses must carry. Coverage minimums are set by your contracts, your own risk assessment, and what makes financial sense for your operation. Work with an agent to determine appropriate limits based on the value of property you're protecting and the extent of your exposure.

Risk of Theft in Urban and Semi-Urban Areas

California's urban and suburban development patterns mean job sites, temporary storage locations, and service vehicles are often in areas with elevated theft risk. Contractors and service businesses should assume tool and equipment theft is a realistic possibility and ensure inland marine coverage is in place to protect against it. The cost of coverage is typically far less than the cost of replacing stolen equipment.

What Affects Your Inland Marine Insurance Rate

  • Type and value of property being insured — higher-value equipment, specialized machinery, and valuable portable property command higher premiums; contractors equipment floaters for $5,000 of tools cost far less than bailee coverage for $100,000 of customer property
  • Scope of geographic area where property operates — contractors and service providers operating only within a local area often qualify for lower rates; operations spanning multiple counties or statewide may see higher premiums reflecting broader exposure
  • Your business's claims history — inland marine carriers underwrite based on your company's prior claims; clean histories earn better rates; prior property losses or theft claims increase premiums
  • Security measures and loss prevention practices — locked tool storage, GPS tracking on equipment, alarm systems, and secure vehicle storage can all earn meaningful discounts; demonstrating theft and loss prevention practices directly lowers premium
  • Type of coverage needed — contractors equipment floaters cost differently than bailee coverage; transit coverage for goods has different pricing than installation floaters; your premium reflects the specific mix of coverage your operation requires
  • Deductible level — higher deductibles lower premiums; a $1,000 deductible versus a $5,000 deductible can shift your annual premium by 15-25%; choosing the right deductible balance is important
  • Annual property values and limits — the total amount of coverage you're buying directly affects premium; insuring $50,000 of tools costs more than insuring $15,000; we help you balance adequate coverage with premium costs
  • Duration of coverage — some contractors buy annual policies; others use periodic or project-specific coverage; the coverage structure affects pricing and should match your operation's needs
  • Professional installation or maintenance practices — carriers may offer discounts for contractors who maintain equipment regularly, conduct preventive maintenance, and follow industry standards for tool and equipment care

Inland Marine Insurance Terminology

Understanding these key terms helps you navigate inland marine insurance conversations and policies with confidence:

Contractors Equipment Floater
A type of inland marine coverage specifically designed for contractors and trades professionals. It protects tools, equipment, machinery, and specialized gear owned by the contractor, covering loss from theft, damage, vandalism, and other covered perils. The policy 'floats' with the contractor's equipment, providing protection wherever the tools are located — on job sites, in storage, in vehicles, or in transit.
Bailee Coverage
Insurance that protects a business from liability for customer property in its care, custody, or control. If you're holding customer tools for repair, customer equipment for installation, or customer property in any form, bailee coverage protects you if that property is lost, stolen, or damaged while in your care. Many contracts require bailee coverage as a condition of doing business.
Installation Floater
Coverage for materials, equipment, and goods that are awaiting installation at customer locations. Roofing materials staged at a customer's home, HVAC equipment being installed at a commercial building, or flooring materials at a renovation project are all covered by installation floater protection. Coverage typically continues until installation is complete and final acceptance occurs.
Property in Transit
Inland marine coverage for goods, equipment, and materials while they're being transported from one location to another. Transit coverage applies whether goods are in your vehicle, in a third-party carrier's vehicle, or being transported by any means. It protects against loss from accidents, theft, weather damage, or other covered perils that occur during transportation.
Inland Marine Insurance
A broad category of business property insurance covering movable property, equipment, and goods that aren't covered by standard commercial property insurance tied to a fixed location. Despite its name referencing marine shipping, inland marine insurance covers land-based mobile property and specialized coverages like contractors equipment, bailee coverage, and transit protection.
Floater Policy
A type of insurance policy that 'floats' with your property, following it to multiple locations rather than being tied to a single fixed business address. Contractors equipment floaters, for example, protect tools and equipment as they move between different job sites. Floater policies are inherently mobile, providing coverage for property at multiple or unspecified locations.
Off-Premises Coverage
Protection for property located away from your main business address — at job sites, customer locations, temporary storage facilities, or other locations. Standard commercial property insurance covers only the named business premises; off-premises coverage extends protection to property at multiple locations.
Equipment Breakdown
Coverage for loss caused by mechanical or electrical breakdown of machinery and equipment, as opposed to loss from weather, theft, or external damage. Some inland marine policies include or exclude equipment breakdown coverage; understanding whether it applies to your equipment is important for comprehensive protection.

Why Covered By Us for Inland Marine Insurance

Inland marine insurance is specialized — it's not standard commercial property insurance, and not every agent understands it well. We focus on contractors, service businesses, and equipment-intensive operations throughout the Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and statewide, and we work with inland marine coverage every day. Because we're independent, we shop multiple carriers who specialize in different types of inland marine protection — contractors equipment floaters, bailee coverage, transit coverage, and installation floaters. We understand which carriers are competitive on what, and we use that knowledge to find you coverage structured for your operation and priced fairly.

We start by understanding your business thoroughly: what property you need to protect, where it's located, how it moves, and what your contracts require. We review your commercial agreements to identify inland marine coverage requirements, and we make sure we're building coverage that meets your contractual obligations. We assess the value of property you're protecting and help you set coverage limits that make financial sense — neither underinsured nor overpaying for excess coverage. Then we shop carriers and bring you quotes from multiple insurers using the same coverage specifications, so you can compare apples to apples and make informed decisions.

When you work with Covered By Us, you get an agent who understands inland marine insurance specifically, who knows how to coordinate contractors equipment coverage with transit coverage, bailee coverage with your broader commercial insurance, and all the moving pieces of a complete inland marine program. We handle the paperwork, navigate underwriting, and manage the process from application through activation, so your coverage is in place when you need it. If you file a claim, we're there to advocate for you and help ensure the carrier responds appropriately. Whether you're a sole contractor with a few thousand dollars of tools or a larger operation with equipment deployed across multiple sites, let's talk about your inland marine coverage. Call 909-278-7053 or Start My Quote online today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is inland marine insurance, and why is it called that?
Inland marine insurance is specialized business property coverage for equipment, tools, and goods that move between locations or are stored off-site. The name is historical — it comes from marine and ocean cargo insurance, adapted decades ago for inland property that moves by truck and rail. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with water or boats. What it does is protect business property that's mobile or temporary, which standard commercial property insurance (tied to a fixed business location) doesn't adequately cover.
Is inland marine insurance required in California?
There's no California state law requiring inland marine coverage. However, many commercial contracts, construction agreements, and service agreements contractually require it as a condition of doing business. Before accepting a contract, review the insurance requirements and confirm you can meet them. We help contractors and service providers understand their contractual insurance obligations and put coverage in place to comply.
How does inland marine insurance differ from my standard commercial property policy?
Standard commercial property insurance covers property at your named business location. Inland marine insurance covers movable property, equipment, and goods at multiple locations or in transit. If your tools are on a job site fifty miles away, goods are in transit to a customer, or equipment is stored at a temporary location, your standard commercial policy likely won't cover them. Inland marine insurance is built specifically for this mobile and off-site property.
What's a contractors equipment floater?
A contractors equipment floater is inland marine coverage specifically for contractors and trades professionals. It protects tools, equipment, machinery, and specialized gear owned by the contractor, covering loss from theft, damage, vandalism, and other covered perils. The coverage 'floats' with your equipment, providing protection wherever your tools are — on job sites, in storage, in vehicles, or in transit.
What is bailee coverage and do I need it?
Bailee coverage protects you if customer property in your care, custody, or control is lost, stolen, or damaged. If you're holding customer tools for repair, customer equipment awaiting installation, or customer property in any form, bailee coverage protects you from liability for that property. Many service contracts and vendor agreements require bailee coverage as a condition of doing business. If you regularly hold or work with customer property, bailee coverage is essential.
Do I need separate inland marine coverage or can my commercial policy cover this?
Most standard commercial property policies specifically exclude or limit coverage for property in transit, property at temporary locations, and property in customer care. If your property fits those categories, your commercial policy won't provide adequate protection. Inland marine coverage is built specifically for these situations and is separate from your standard commercial package. Many contractors and service businesses carry both a commercial property policy for their main location and an inland marine policy for mobile and off-site property.
How much inland marine coverage do I need?
Coverage limits should reflect the value of property you own that needs protection, plus any property you're holding for customers. We help you assess realistic replacement costs for your equipment and set coverage limits accordingly. Higher-value equipment and operations with significant customer property in your care may need higher limits. The goal is having enough coverage to fully replace your property if loss occurs, but not overpaying for excess coverage you don't need.
Can inland marine coverage be project-specific, or do I need an annual policy?
Both options exist. Some contractors buy annual inland marine policies that provide year-round coverage. Others buy project-specific coverage for particular jobs or contract periods. We help you choose the coverage structure that matches your operation — whether you need continuous annual protection or shorter-term project coverage.
What kind of claims would inland marine insurance cover?
Inland marine covers loss from theft of tools or equipment from job sites or storage, damage to goods in transit, loss of property stored at temporary locations, damage to customer property in your care, vandalism to equipment at job sites, and similar perils. The specific coverages depend on what type of inland marine policy you have — contractors equipment, transit coverage, bailee coverage, or installation floater. We can review your specific policy and tell you exactly what's covered.
How do I get inland marine coverage from Covered By Us?
Start by describing your operation and the property you need to protect — are you a contractor with tools, a service business with portable equipment, or a distributor moving goods? Review any contracts that specify insurance requirements. We'll meet with you to assess your needs, review your contracts, and shop multiple carriers to get you quotes for coverage tailored to your operation. Once you've approved the quote and completed the application, we handle underwriting and get your coverage activated. Call 909-278-7053 or Start My Quote online.

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