Your tools go where the work goes—and so should your coverage. Inland marine insurance protects your valuable equipment on job sites, in transit, and wherever your business takes you.
Does Your Business Need Inland Marine Insurance for Tools and Equipment?
What is Inland Marine Insurance?
Inland marine insurance is a specialized policy that covers tools, equipment, and materials while they're in transit or at job sites away from your primary business location. It protects contractors, tradespeople, and mobile businesses from theft, damage, and loss of the equipment they depend on to earn a living. Unlike standard property insurance, inland marine coverage follows your gear wherever it goes.
Ready to protect your business? Request a quote and one of our agents will reach out—or call us directly at 888-943-5144 if you'd like to talk now.
Who Needs Inland Marine Insurance?
If your work takes you beyond a fixed location, your tools and equipment face risks that standard business property insurance won't cover. Inland marine insurance is essential for:
- General contractors transporting tools between residential and commercial job sites
- Electricians carrying diagnostic equipment, wire, and specialized tools in work vehicles
- Plumbers with drain cameras, pipe cutters, and soldering equipment
- HVAC technicians moving recovery machines, vacuum pumps, and gauges daily
- Landscapers and tree service professionals hauling mowers, chainsaws, and trailers
- Painters with sprayers, scaffolding, and power washers
- Flooring installers transporting saws, nailers, and adhesive systems
- Welders and fabricators with portable welding rigs and cutting equipment
- Roofers carrying nail guns, compressors, and safety gear
- Audio/visual and event production companies moving staging, lighting, and sound equipment
- Photographers and videographers with cameras, drones, and editing equipment
If you've ever loaded your truck or trailer and driven to a job site, inland marine insurance is built for how you work.
What Does Inland Marine Insurance Cover?
What Doesn't Inland Marine Insurance Cover?
Understanding exclusions helps you avoid gaps in protection. Inland marine insurance typically does not cover:
- Wear and tear or mechanical breakdown — Normal deterioration from use isn't covered; consider equipment breakdown coverage separately
- Employee theft — Losses caused by your own workers may require a fidelity bond or crime insurance
- Intentional damage — Deliberate destruction of your own property is excluded
- Vehicles themselves — Your truck or van needs commercial auto insurance; inland marine covers what's inside
- Property at your permanent business location — Equipment stored at your shop or warehouse falls under commercial property insurance
- Mysterious disappearance — If equipment goes missing without evidence of theft, coverage may not apply
Pro tip: Pair inland marine insurance with a commercial auto policy and business property coverage for complete protection. An A-MAX Commercial specialist can help you identify the right combination for your business.
How Much Does Inland Marine Insurance Cost?
Inland marine insurance is typically one of the more affordable commercial policies, and premiums depend on several factors specific to your business:
Total value of equipment — Higher-value tool inventories mean higher premiums. Accurate valuations ensure you're not over- or under-insured.
Type of equipment — Specialized, high-theft items like laser levels, diagnostic computers, or drones may cost more to insure than common hand tools.
Deductible selection — Choosing a higher deductible lowers your premium but increases out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.
Coverage limits — Policies are written with per-item limits and aggregate limits. Make sure both align with your actual equipment value.
Claims history — A clean claims record keeps rates competitive. Businesses with prior losses may pay more.
Security measures — Locked toolboxes, GPS tracking, and alarmed trailers may qualify you for discounts.
Industry and work type — Some trades face higher theft or damage risks, which affects pricing.
The best way to know what you'll pay is to get a personalized quote based on your equipment inventory and business operations.
Call 888-943-5144 to speak with an A-MAX Commercial specialist and get your customized inland marine quote in minutes.
Why Choose A-MAX Commercial?
We know Texas businesses.
A-MAX Commercial specializes in coverage for contractors, tradespeople, and small business owners across Texas. We understand the equipment you rely on and the risks you face every day.
Bilingual service, your way.
Our specialists speak both English and Spanish, so you can discuss your coverage options in whichever language you're most comfortable with.
Fast, phone-based quotes.
Get a customized inland marine quote without leaving the job site. Our team handles everything over the phone, so you can get back to work with the protection you need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inland Marine Insurance
Yes, inland marine insurance typically covers tools and equipment stolen from your locked work vehicle or trailer. This is one of its key advantages over commercial auto insurance, which generally excludes cargo and personal property. Be sure to file a police report promptly to support your claim.
No, inland marine insurance and commercial property insurance serve different purposes. Commercial property insurance covers equipment and inventory at your fixed business location. Inland marine insurance covers mobile equipment—tools in transit, items on job sites, and gear stored temporarily away from your shop. Most contractors need both.
An equipment floater is a type of inland marine insurance. The terms are often used interchangeably in the insurance industry. Both describe coverage that "floats" with your equipment wherever it travels, rather than covering a fixed location. When shopping for coverage, focus on what's included rather than the policy name.
Many inland marine policies include coverage for rented or leased equipment, but limits and conditions vary. Review your policy carefully or ask your A-MAX Commercial specialist to confirm that borrowed and rented items are protected before you sign a rental agreement.
Yes, in most cases you do. Commercial auto insurance covers your vehicle in accidents, but it typically excludes tools, equipment, and materials inside the vehicle. If your work truck is broken into or involved in an accident, your commercial auto policy won't pay to replace the equipment you lost. Inland marine insurance fills that gap.
Start by creating an inventory of all portable tools, equipment, and materials you regularly transport or use at job sites. Include purchase prices or current replacement costs. Add up the total value, then consider whether you'd need to replace everything at once. Your A-MAX Commercial specialist can help you choose limits that make sense.
No, standard inland marine insurance covers sudden, accidental loss like theft, fire, or collision damage—not mechanical failure or wear and tear. If you rely on expensive machinery that could break down, ask about adding equipment breakdown coverage to your policy.
Absolutely. Many Texas business owners combine inland marine insurance with commercial auto, general liability, and commercial property coverage. Bundling often simplifies billing and may qualify you for multi-policy discounts. Call A-MAX Commercial to explore your bundling options.