INLAND MARINE INSURANCE

Protection for property, equipment, and materials in transit or off-site

Inland Marine insurance is designed to cover property that moves, travels, or is stored away from your primary business location. While standard property policies typically protect items at a fixed premises, Inland Marine coverage fills the gap by protecting tools, equipment, materials, and other valuable property while in transit, at job sites, or temporarily stored at locations not listed on the policy.

This coverage is especially important for businesses whose operations involve transporting equipment, working at multiple locations, or relying on specialized property that may not be adequately covered under traditional commercial property insurance.

What Inland Marine Insurance Covers
Inland Marine insurance typically responds to loss or damage involving covered property such as:

Tools & Contractor Equipment
Coverage for mobile tools, machinery, and equipment used at job sites or in the field.

Property in Transit
Protection for materials, inventory, or equipment while being transported by vehicle or shipped between locations.

Installation & Builder’s Materials
Coverage for materials awaiting installation at a job site, including items stored temporarily before use.

Mobile Equipment
Protection for equipment that moves between locations, such as generators, compressors, or specialty machinery.

Computer Equipment & Electronic Property
Coverage for laptops, servers, and other electronic equipment used away from the primary office.

Valuable Property with Special Coverage Needs
Items that require broader protection than what a standard property policy provides.

Coverage applies whether the property is owned, leased, or temporarily in your care, custody, or control, depending on policy terms.

What It Does Not Cover
Inland Marine policies provide specialized protection and commonly exclude:

• Normal wear and tear or mechanical breakdown

• Intentional damage or dishonest acts

• Property not specifically scheduled or described

• Vehicles licensed for road use

• Employee theft unless endorsed

• Flood or earthquake unless added

• Losses outside the coverage territory

Coverage depends heavily on how property is listed and how the policy is structured.

Who Needs Inland Marine Insurance?
Inland Marine coverage is commonly needed by businesses that operate away from a fixed location, including:

• Contractors and subcontractors

• Construction companies

• Landscapers and trades

• IT and technology firms

• Photographers and media professionals

• Manufacturers and distributors

• Businesses transporting tools or equipment

• Property owners performing renovations

• Many contracts, lenders, or project requirements may require proof of Inland Marine coverage before work can begin.
  
  

How Coverage Is Structured
Inland Marine policies can be written in several ways depending on the type of property insured, including:

• Scheduled coverage for specifically listed items

• Blanket coverage for groups of equipment

• Installation floaters for job-site materials

• Contractor’s equipment floaters

• Transit coverage endorsements

Policies are typically written on an open-perils basis, meaning coverage applies unless a loss is specifically excluded, subject to limits, deductibles, and territorial restrictions.

Accurate valuation, scheduling, and description of property are critical to proper coverage.

Real-World Claim Examples

• A contractor’s tools are stolen from a job site overnight

• Building materials are damaged while being transported to a project

• A generator is damaged while stored at a temporary location

• A laptop used in the field is lost during travel

• Installed equipment is damaged before the project is completed

These types of losses often fall outside standard property coverage without Inland Marine insurance.

Why Proper Placement Matters
Inland Marine coverage can vary significantly depending on:

• How equipment is scheduled

• Where property is located

• How often items move

• Policy exclusions and sublimits

• Admitted vs. non-admitted carriers

• Project or contract requirements

Improperly structured policies may leave expensive equipment uninsured or limit coverage when property is off-premises.

Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we structure Inland Marine coverage based on how your business actually operates — not just where your office is located. We review equipment values, job-site exposures, transit risks, and contractual requirements to ensure coverage follows your property wherever it goes.

Our goal is to eliminate gaps, avoid surprises, and make sure your equipment, materials, and mobile assets are protected when and where you need them.

Disclaimer
All insurance descriptions on this website are provided by Cory Washington & Co. LLC strictly for general informational purposes. They are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, legal, financial, or insurance advice. The information presented is general in nature and does not guarantee the availability, terms, conditions, or scope of any insurance coverage. Actual coverage is determined solely by the specific policy language issued by the insurer and remains subject to underwriting approval. Nothing on this website creates or implies an agent-client relationship, binds coverage, or alters any existing policy. Cory Washington & Co. LLC expressly disclaims any liability for actions taken, or not taken, based on the content provided here. For advice regarding your particular situation, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional at Cory Washington & Co. LLC or another qualified insurance professional, and always review your policy documents in full.