Inland marine & contractors equipment insurance in Florida

What inland marine insurance covers in Florida

Inland marine insurance covers business property that standard commercial policies exclude: contractor tools, equipment, property in transit, specialized equipment, and valuable movable items. If your business depends on tools and equipment that leave your premises regularly, or property that isn't permanently installed in a building, inland marine is essential.

• Contractor tools and equipment. hand tools, power tools, heavy equipment on job sites or in transit
• Equipment in transit. tools, materials, and equipment being transported between locations or to customer sites
• Installation floaters. HVAC systems, appliances, and other equipment awaiting installation at customer locations
• Temporary storage and staging. tools and equipment at job sites, event venues, or temporary business locations
• Marine and hospitality equipment. sound equipment, lighting, AV gear for events, boats and marine equipment
• Scheduled coverage. specific named items insured for agreed value
• Blanket coverage. all similar equipment up to a limit without individual listing

Why standard property policies don't cover inland marine risks

Standard commercial property policies cover buildings and fixed property at your business location. They exclude or sharply restrict property in transit, property at customer locations, and movable items used off-premises. If your contractor leaves equipment on a job site overnight and it's stolen, or if your tools and supplies are damaged in transit, a standard property policy won't cover you. Inland marine solves this.

Florida industries that rely on inland marine

• Construction trades: framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, roofing, painting
• Appliance and HVAC installation businesses
• Restoration and water-mitigation contractors
• Heavy equipment operators and rental companies
• Marine and boat-related trades
• Sound, lighting, and AV equipment rental and installation firms
• Event staging, equipment rental, and venue-management companies
• Landscaping and tree-service companies (equipment and tools in transit)

Scheduled vs. blanket policies and hurricane considerations

Scheduled policies list specific items (a particular generator, a named air-compression unit) with an agreed replacement value for each. Loss is paid at the agreed value, with no depreciation. Scheduled coverage is best for a few high-value items and often has lower premiums per dollar of coverage, but you must list all items upfront. Blanket policies cover all similar equipment or tools up to a limit, without listing individual items. If equipment changes frequently or you have many smaller items, blanket coverage simplifies administration.

If you stage or store equipment outdoors during hurricane season (June through November), many inland marine carriers impose named-storm deductibles or coverage restrictions. Some policies exclude or limit coverage during peak hurricane months. If your business relies on equipment during hurricane season, discuss these restrictions with your carrier and consider securing equipment indoors or against named-storm deductibles.

What inland marine costs in Florida

Premiums vary by equipment type, value, and industry. A blanket policy covering $50,000 of contractor tools might cost $400 to $1,000 per year. Scheduled coverage for high-value items typically runs 2 percent to 5 percent of insured value annually. Deductibles usually range from $500 to $2,500, with possible separate hurricane-season deductibles on coastal properties.

Why buy inland marine through Maru

Inland marine is specialized. Not every property carrier writes it, and Florida carriers have different appetites for different trades and industries. Maru understands which carriers write for your trade, which offer competitive rates in Florida, and what hurricane-season restrictions apply. We'll help you choose scheduled or blanket coverage, set proper limits, and coordinate with your general liability and builders risk policies.

Frequently asked questions

Vadim — Maru Insurance
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (WA License WAOIC #1365574, FL License #G363233) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.