Complete Guide — Updated August 2026
Complete Guide to Inland Marine Insurance: Coverage, Costs & Who Needs It — 2026
Inland marine insurance covers property in transit, property stored off-site, and specialized equipment that moves between locations. Contractor equipment floaters — a core inland marine product — protect tools and heavy equipment that standard property policies do not cover off-premises.
Backed by Munich Re. 750,000+ businesses insured. Get your certificate of insurance instantly.
Inland marine insurance covers property in transit, property stored off-site, and specialized equipment that moves between locations. Contractor equipment floaters — a core inland marine product — protect tools and heavy equipment that standard property policies do not cover off-premises.
What It Covers ✓
- ✓Contractor's tools and equipment on job sites and in transit
- ✓Scheduled or blanket coverage for high-value equipment
- ✓Property stored at multiple locations or off-premises
- ✓Cameras, audio/visual equipment, and specialized gear
- ✓Accounts receivable and valuable papers
- ✓Fine art and high-value moveable property
What It Does NOT Cover ✗
- ✗Vehicles (covered by commercial auto)
- ✗Real property / structures (covered by commercial property)
- ✗Wear and tear or mechanical breakdown (equipment breakdown policy)
- ✗Losses below the deductible
Who Needs Inland Marine Insurance?
- →Contractors with significant tool and equipment values
- →Photographers and video production companies
- →Medical and dental equipment owners
- →Jewelers and fine art businesses
- →IT and AV equipment businesses
- →Any business whose valuable property moves regularly
How Much Does It Cost?
Contractor equipment floater (under $50K)
$300–$800/year
Contractor equipment (up to $200K)
$800–$2,500/year
Specialized / high-value equipment
$1,500–$5,000+/year
Blanket vs scheduled
Blanket is cheaper; scheduled gives more precision
Key Terms to Know
Contractor's Equipment Floater
The primary inland marine product for contractors — covers tools, machinery, and equipment used at job sites. Can be written on a scheduled (per-item) or blanket (total limit) basis.
Scheduled vs Blanket
A scheduled policy lists each piece of equipment separately with its value. A blanket policy covers all equipment up to a total limit. Blanket is simpler; scheduled gives more precision for high-value items.
Transit Coverage
Covers property while it is being transported between locations — from warehouse to job site, from one client to another.
Off-Premises Extension
Extends commercial property coverage to include property temporarily stored or used away from the primary business location.
How to Get Inland Marine Insurance
List all portable equipment by value to determine if a scheduled or blanket approach is better
Check your commercial property policy's off-premises sub-limit — usually $1,000–$5,000, far below the true exposure
Set your deductible — $500–$2,500 is typical for contractor equipment floaters
Get Inland Marine Insurance Today
Instant certificate. A+ AM Best rated. Online in 10 minutes.
Want us to text you the link instead?
SMS only. No spam. Reply STOP to opt out.