Machine Shop Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a machine shop business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for job shops and contract machining. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against industries served.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Products & Completed Operations Liability | Covers injuries from products sold, for years after the sale — the core coverage for manufacturers. | Core | |
| Aircraft Products Liability | Needed if parts go into aircraft — standard products coverage often excludes aviation. | Situational | |
| Commercial Property & Business Income (incl. Equipment Breakdown) | Covers the plant, machinery, stock, and lost income after a loss. | Core | |
| Umbrella / Excess Liability | Adds limits for a critical part failure. | Prevalent | |
| Workers' Compensation | Required in most states; machinery injuries drive the largest claims. | Core |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is the aircraft-products exclusion. Many products policies exclude parts that end up in aircraft, so shops serving aerospace customers may have no coverage for their riskiest work. Shops should confirm aircraft products coverage where needed, keep first-article inspections and material certs, and review purchase-order terms that shift design responsibility to the shop.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your machine shop coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Machine Shop Insurance · Machine Shop Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a machine shop business need?
The core coverages for a machine shop business are Products & Completed Operations Liability, Commercial Property & Business Income (incl. Equipment Breakdown), Workers' Compensation. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my machine shop coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.