Commercial property policies are written for things that stay at a fixed location. The moment your tools ride to a job site, sit in a truck overnight, or get installed in a client’s building, you need a policy designed for property on the move. That is inland marine.
For contractors and landscapers, tools and equipment are often the business itself. Replacing a stolen trailer of equipment out of pocket can stop work for weeks.
What Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine) typically covers
- Contractor’s equipment. Mowers, skid steers, compressors, generators, and other mobile equipment — scheduled by item or blanket.
- Tools. Hand and power tools, with per-item limits that match how you work.
- Installation floaters. Materials and equipment you are installing until the job is accepted by the owner.
- Property in transit. Goods and materials while being transported between locations.
- Builders risk (projects). Buildings under construction or renovation, written as its own project policy. See builders risk insurance.
- Rented or borrowed equipment. Equipment you rent from others, often required by rental agreements.
Thieves cut the lock on a landscaper’s enclosed trailer overnight and take two commercial mowers, a trimmer set, and a blower pack. An inland marine policy with scheduled equipment replaces them so the crew is back out within days.
Businesses that commonly carry Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine)
- General contractors and specialty trades
- Landscapers and lawn-care companies
- HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors
- Photographers, musicians, and AV crews
- Businesses moving inventory or samples between locations
- Anyone renting heavy equipment
What it usually does not cover
- Wear and tear and breakdown. Gradual deterioration and mechanical breakdown are generally excluded.
- Theft from unattended, unlocked vehicles. Many forms require visible signs of forced entry or locked storage.
- Mysterious disappearance. Items that simply go missing without evidence of theft may not be covered.
- Employee dishonesty. Theft by employees typically needs crime coverage.
- Equipment leased to others. Usually excluded unless specifically endorsed.
- Licensed vehicles. Trucks and trailers registered for road use belong on commercial auto.
Independent means we compare — not just quote one company
We shop tools and equipment coverage through our carrier partners — sometimes as an endorsement to a BOP or GL program, sometimes as a separate inland marine policy — depending on your equipment values and state.
Tips before you buy
- Keep an equipment list with serial numbers, purchase dates, and values; schedule anything expensive.
- Ask whether coverage is replacement cost or actual cash value.
- Store tools in locked trucks or gang boxes; it can be a policy condition.
- Tell us about rented equipment — rental agreements often require you to insure it.
Coverage that pairs with Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine)
Builders Risk
Buildings under construction or renovation, plus materials on site and in transit.
Learn moreCommercial Auto
Work trucks, vans, and fleets — liability, physical damage, and hired & non-owned auto.
Learn moreGeneral Liability
Third-party injury, property damage, and advertising injury claims — plus defense costs.
Learn moreCommercial Property
Buildings, equipment, inventory, and lost income after fire, theft, and covered storms.
Learn morePopular with: Contractors & Trades · Landscaping & Lawn Care · All commercial coverage
Tools & Equipment (Inland Marine) questions
Why doesn’t my BOP or property policy cover my tools at a job site?
Most property policies limit coverage for property away from your premises. Inland marine is designed specifically for property that moves.
Do I need to list every tool?
Usually expensive items are scheduled individually, and smaller tools can be covered on a blanket basis up to a per-item limit.
Does inland marine cover my trailer?
The contents of the trailer can be covered by inland marine. The trailer itself, if it is registered for road use, is typically insured on commercial auto.
What is builders risk?
Coverage for a building while it is under construction or renovation, including materials on site. It is usually written per project, and we write it. See our builders risk guide.
Is theft covered if tools are stolen from my truck?
Often yes, but many policies require the vehicle to be locked with signs of forced entry. We will explain the exact condition on your quote.
We cover your assets
Let’s build the right commercial program
Tell us about your business once. We shop multiple carriers, explain the trade-offs in plain English, and handle certificates, audits, and renewals after you bind.
Educational only — not a policy, quote, or coverage guarantee. Coverage, eligibility, and carrier availability vary by state, class of business, and underwriting. Policy language controls. Talk with a licensed Asshield agent about your situation.