Your commercial property policy
doesn't cover property
on the move.
Tools in your truck. Equipment at a job site. Property in transit. Fine art on loan. Standard commercial property stops at your building's address — inland marine follows your property everywhere it goes.
The Most Overlooked Coverage Gap for California Contractors
Commercial auto generally covers your vehicle. Commercial property generally focuses on your listed business location. General liability covers third-party claims. Tools and equipment at job sites, in vehicles, or in transit often need inland marine coverage — and this gap is commonly missed in contractor insurance programs.
Coverage Types
Inland marine policies for
every type of mobile property
Inland marine is a category of coverage with many different forms. Here are the most common types placed for California businesses.
Equipment Floater
Covers specific pieces of equipment — excavators, generators, compressors, lifts — wherever they go. Covers theft, vandalism, and accidental damage at job sites, in transit, and in storage.
Tools Floater
Blanket coverage for hand tools and small equipment without individual scheduling. Covers theft from vehicles, job sites, and in transit — California contractors can face significant tool-theft exposure.
Property in Transit
Covers merchandise, samples, inventory, and other business property while being transported. Commercial auto covers the vehicle — it does NOT cover the contents.
Fine Art Floater
Agreed-value coverage for artwork, antiques, and collectibles. Covers mysterious disappearance, transit damage, and exhibition loans. Standard homeowners policies limit fine art to $1,500–$5,000.
Camera & AV Equipment Floater
Covers cameras, lenses, lighting, drones, and production equipment in the studio and on location. Business-use equipment may be limited or excluded under homeowners policies.
Installation Floater
Covers materials and equipment that will be permanently installed in a building — from the time it leaves the supplier until installation is complete and the project is accepted.
Which businesses need inland marine coverage?
Any business with valuable portable property. Select your industry for specific guidance.
Coverage Structure
Scheduled vs blanket —
which is right for your equipment?
Most programs use a combination: schedule high-value items individually, blanket-cover everything else.
Scheduled Coverage
Each piece of equipment is individually listed with its own stated value. Settled at agreed value — no depreciation arguments at claim time. Best for high-value individual items.
Blanket Coverage
A total dollar limit applies to all covered equipment without individual scheduling. New items automatically covered. Simpler to maintain — best for businesses with many tools.
Coverage Gaps
What your other policies don't cover
| Scenario | Commercial Property | Commercial Auto | General Liability | Inland Marine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tools stolen from locked vehicle | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | ✓ Covered |
| Equipment damaged at job site | Off-premises excluded | Not covered | Not covered | ✓ Covered |
| Equipment in transit between sites | Not covered in transit | Vehicle only | Not covered | ✓ Covered |
| Property stolen from job site trailer | Off-premises excluded | Not covered | Not covered | ✓ Covered |
| Camera equipment damaged on location | Business use excluded | Not covered | Not covered | ✓ Covered |
| Fine art damaged during exhibition loan | Sub-limits apply | Not covered | Not covered | ✓ Covered |
| Medical equipment at patient site | Off-premises excluded | Not covered | Not covered | ✓ Covered |
| Installation materials stolen from site | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | ✓ Covered |
What does inland marine cost in California?
Inland marine is one of the most affordable commercial lines coverages — particularly relative to the exposure it protects.
Hand Tools & Small Equipment
Blanket $10K–$50K coverage for hand tools. Often one of the more affordable inland marine options.
Contractor Equipment
Scheduled coverage on major equipment. Rate varies by equipment type, value, and industry.
Fine Art & Camera Floaters
Pricing varies by scheduled value, type of property, security, transit exposure, and carrier.
Materials & Equipment Per Project
Typically a percentage of total contract value for materials and equipment to be installed.
Portable Medical Equipment
Based on total scheduled value. Higher-precision equipment commands higher rates. Annual updates recommended.
Cargo & Transit Coverage
Based on per-shipment limit or annual shipment value. Rates vary by commodity type and territory.
Illustrative ranges. Actual premiums depend on total insured value, equipment type, claims history, and carrier. Contact Bollinsure for a carrier-specific review across available markets.
Serving All of California
Inland marine for every California business
Frequently Asked Questions
Inland marine insurance explained
Inland marine insurance covers property that moves — or property that is particularly susceptible to loss because of its unique nature or value. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with water. The term originated from ocean marine insurance and was extended to cover property transported overland or stored away from a primary business location. Today it covers contractor tools and equipment, property in transit, fine art, medical equipment, and other specialized mobile property.
No. Standard commercial property insurance covers property at your listed business location only. The moment tools and equipment leave your premises for a job site, vehicle, or storage unit, they are outside the coverage territory of a standard commercial property policy. An inland marine equipment floater or tools floater specifically covers this gap — and it is one of the most commonly overlooked exposures for California contractors.
No. Commercial auto insurance covers the vehicle itself — not the contents. This is a common gap discovered at claim time. Tools, equipment, and materials in the truck are not covered by commercial auto. A tools floater or equipment floater covers theft of tools from vehicles — at covered locations and during covered transit, subject to policy terms.
An equipment floater covers larger, higher-value pieces of equipment — often scheduled individually with stated values. A tools floater provides blanket coverage for hand tools and smaller equipment without individual scheduling. Most contractors benefit from both: a tools floater for hand tools in vehicles plus an equipment floater for heavy or high-value equipment at job sites.
Yes — fine art floaters may cover mysterious disappearance (loss where there is no obvious explanation), which standard property policies exclude. They also provide agreed-value settlements with no depreciation, broader perils coverage, and coverage during transit and at exhibition locations. Standard homeowners policies have significant limitations on fine art that make a dedicated floater essential for any serious collection.
A Business Owners Policy combines GL and commercial property — but the property coverage in a BOP has the same off-premises limitation as standalone commercial property. BOP property coverage covers your business location. Any equipment, tools, or property regularly taken off-premises needs inland marine coverage as a separate policy or endorsement. Many BOPs can be endorsed to add a tools floater or equipment floater at modest additional cost.
Inland marine premiums are based on total insured value, type of equipment and its susceptibility to loss, industry and how the equipment is used, deductible selected, and coverage territory. For most small contractors, a basic tools floater runs often a few hundred dollars per year. Equipment floaters for larger values run proportionally higher based on total scheduled value and equipment type. Contact Bollinsure for a carrier-specific review across available markets.
An installation floater covers materials and equipment that will be permanently installed in a building — from the time it leaves the supplier until installation is complete and the project is accepted by the owner. It bridges the gap between the supplier's property coverage, transit exposure, and the building's eventual property policy. Common for HVAC contractors, electricians, plumbers, and specialty contractors working with expensive materials.
Free inland marine review.
All California industries.
Tell us about your equipment and how it's used. We'll review your mobile-property exposures and compare available inland marine options across carrier markets.