Protect your tools, equipment, and property wherever your work takes you. Inland marine insurance covers valuable business property that moves between locations or is used at job sites throughout Washington.
Inland marine insurance "floats" with your property wherever it goes—on your truck, at job sites, in transit, or at client locations. Unlike standard property insurance, coverage isn't limited to one fixed location.
Policies can be written on a scheduled basis (specific items listed with values) or a blanket basis (all equipment up to a total limit). Scheduled coverage ensures adequate limits for high-value items.
Coverage typically applies on an "all-risk" or "open perils" basis, meaning everything is covered unless specifically excluded. This provides broader protection than named-perils coverage.
When equipment is stolen, damaged, or destroyed, you file a claim with documentation of the loss. Theft claims typically require a police report. Claims are paid at replacement cost or actual cash value depending on policy terms.
Contractors' equipment floaters are the most common form. These cover owned tools and equipment, often including rented equipment and newly acquired items up to a limit.
Washington State does not require inland marine insurance, but practical business needs and contract requirements often make it essential for contractors and mobile businesses.
General contractors in Washington frequently require subcontractors to carry tools and equipment coverage. Certificates of insurance may be required showing adequate limits.
Commercial auto policies exclude tools and equipment that aren't permanently installed in vehicles. If you carry tools in your truck, you need inland marine coverage—not auto coverage—to protect them.
Equipment rental agreements typically require you to insure rented equipment. Inland marine coverage can include rented equipment protection, avoiding expensive rental company insurance.
Builders risk policies (a form of inland marine) are typically required for construction projects in Washington. They cover the building under construction until completion.
Total equipment value—the more you need to cover, the higher the coverage needs
Equipment type—high-theft items like power tools may have different considerations
Storage and security—how and where equipment is stored when not in use
Territory—where equipment is used; higher-risk areas may affect terms
Claims history—prior losses affect rates and may require higher deductibles
Deductible selection—higher deductibles can impact rates
Coverage basis—replacement cost vs. actual cash value affects terms
Get a personalized quote to see exactly what inland marine costs for your business.
Get Your QuoteSee how inland marine protects Washington businesses in actual claim scenarios.
A contractor's tools worth $25,000 are stolen overnight from a secured job site trailer in Tacoma. The theft includes power tools, specialty equipment, and hand tools accumulated over years.
Inland marine coverage pays the replacement cost for the stolen tools after the deductible. The contractor can purchase new tools and get back to work without devastating financial impact. A police report documents the theft.
A landscaping company's commercial mower falls off a trailer on I-90, causing $12,000 in damage. The mower is totaled and needs replacement.
The contractors equipment floater covers the mower at replacement cost. Because inland marine covers property in transit, the damage is covered even though it occurred on the highway.
A wedding photographer's camera bag falls into a lake during an outdoor shoot. Cameras, lenses, and accessories worth $18,000 are destroyed.
An equipment floater covering the photography gear pays for replacement equipment. The photographer can purchase new gear and honor upcoming bookings without financial hardship.
The name is historical. Marine insurance originally covered ocean cargo, then expanded to cover goods transported over land ("inland"). Today, inland marine covers movable property, property in transit, and items that don't fit neatly into standard property policies. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with boats—it's about mobility and flexibility.
Generally no. Commercial auto policies cover the vehicle and permanently attached equipment (like ladder racks), but they exclude loose tools, equipment, and supplies inside the vehicle. If your $15,000 worth of tools are stolen from your work truck, auto insurance won't help—you need inland marine coverage.
Commercial property insurance covers property at fixed locations—your building, its contents, and equipment that stays put. Inland marine covers property that moves—tools you carry to jobs, equipment in transit, items at various locations. If it travels, use inland marine. Many businesses need both types of coverage.
Many contractors equipment policies can include coverage for rented or borrowed equipment. This is important because equipment rental agreements typically require you to insure rented items, and the rental company's insurance is often expensive. Check your policy to ensure rented equipment is covered, or add an endorsement.
Maintain a current inventory of your equipment with photos, serial numbers, and values. Store equipment securely when not in use—many policies have requirements about locked vehicles or job site storage. Report thefts to police and your insurer promptly. Keep receipts for new equipment purchases to prove value.
Builders risk is a specialized form of inland marine covering buildings under construction. It protects the structure, materials, and sometimes equipment during the construction period. Coverage typically ends when the building is completed and occupied. Project owners, general contractors, or both may purchase builders risk depending on contract requirements.
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