Tools and equipment insurance

Contractor's tools and equipment insurance is a form of inland marine insurance for small tools and equipment.

Also called equipment floater insurance or tool insurance, it's designed for construction and contracting companies and installation professionals who work at different job sites, unlike standard commercial property insurance policies that typically only cover items that stay at a fixed business address.

It protects movable tools and equipment wherever you take them, and pays for repair or replacement if they are lost, damaged, or stolen. However, it does not cover general wear and tear.

Contractor’s tools and equipment insurance protects hand tools, power tools, machinery, and other equipment that moves from place to place. The items typically must be relatively new and inexpensive.

A covered financial loss under this policy includes a variety of items and incidents, including the following:

A standard commercial property insurance policy won't cover tools in transit or equipment stored at a worksite. It’s risky to move items and store them off-site, which is why you may need additional coverage.

Contractor's tools and equipment insurance benefits a wide range of professionals who bring tools and equipment to job sites. Both small business owners and independent contractors should consider carrying this coverage.

Businesses that purchase this property coverage include:

If your toolbox is stolen from a client's backyard, or a recently purchased scissor lift breaks during a project, contractor’s tools and equipment insurance covers its repair or replacement cost. The damage could happen while your belongings are in transit or in storage away from your business office.

For example, say an electrician’s toolbox disappears while left overnight at an office worksite. Contractor’s tools and equipment insurance would cover the cost of purchasing a new toolbox and replacing the tools that were stolen.

Installation professionals depend on this policy to protect their tools and equipment left at a client's home, office, or other property during a project.

For example, it could cover the cost of replacing a fence installer's post hole digger stolen from a client's yard, or an appliance installer's adjustable wrench set stolen from their van.

Because they work at different outdoor locations, landscapers need contractor's tools and equipment insurance to protect their lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and other tools of the trade.

This policy covers the cost of rakes and hedge trimmers stolen from your pickup, or a replacement lawnmower if yours breaks unexpectedly.

Travel and outdoor storage are both risky, which is why this coverage is so important for tree service professionals, lawn care companies, and others who bring their work equipment with them everywhere they go.

Contractor's tools and equipment insurance is ideal for businesses that operate on a small budget. However, it doesn't cover every instance of property damage, and it's not designed for certain types of equipment.

Here are a few examples of common exclusions:

Complete Insureon’s easy online application today to compare contractor's tool and equipment insurance quotes from top-rated U.S. carriers. Our expert insurance agents can help you find the best coverage for your small business insurance needs.

Once you find the right policies for your small business, you can get coverage quickly and receive a copy of your certificate of insurance in less than 24 hours.

If you're a small business owner or a contractor, you may be able to add contractor’s tools and equipment coverage to your business owner’s policy.

A BOP bundles general liability coverage with commercial property insurance, usually at a lower premium than purchasing each policy separately. Some insurance providers will also let you add business interruption insurance to a BOP.

Read more about the eligibility requirements for a BOP.

With contractor’s tools and equipment insurance, you have the option of insuring your tools and equipment for their replacement value or their actual cash value.

Insuring for the replacement cost helps pay for the purchase of a brand-new item to replace any equipment that was lost or damaged at a worksite.

With actual cash value, on the other hand, an insurance company will provide reimbursement for the compromised equipment by looking at the item's current market value and then factoring in depreciation from the number of years that the item was used.

Because of this, a policy insured with actual cash value will typically cost less than one insured with replacement cost.

Simply put, it depends on the items you wish to insure. Contractor's tools and equipment insurance is designed for items valued at less than $10,000. Specialized equipment or heavy machinery may require inland marine insurance.

If you're looking at an item like a costly bulldozer, backhoe, or excavator, inland marine insurance is likely the appropriate policy. If you only need insurance coverage for lawnmowers, saws, or hand tools, then contractor's equipment insurance should be enough.

There's also equipment breakdown insurance, as well as boiler and machinery insurance, which is designed for machinery or equipment that suffers a mechanical failure at your business.

If you're unsure which type of policy you need or have questions about other insurance products, consult a licensed insurance agent who can help you find the right equipment insurance policy for your small business.