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Contractor’s Tools and Equipment Insurance

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Contractor's tools and equipment insurance

This policy helps pay for repair or replacement of a contractor’s tools and equipment if they are lost, stolen, or damaged. The items typically must be less than five years old.

Why is contractor’s tools and equipment insurance important?

Contractor's tools and equipment insurance is a form of inland marine insurance for small tools and equipment. Also called equipment floater insurance, it's designed for construction and contracting companies and installation professionals that work at different job sites.

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.

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Protect your tools on-the-go

This coverage is designed for business equipment that travels with you to jobsites. Specifically, it covers:

  • Items valued at under $10,000
  • Items that are less than five years old

You can often add this coverage to commercial property insurance or a business owner's policy (BOP).

What does contractor’s tools and equipment insurance cover?

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.

This policy can cover a variety of items and incidents, including the following:

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Stolen tools

Contractor's tools and equipment insurance can provide reimbursem*nt for hammers, saws, and other employee tools stolen from a worksite, a client's home or business, or a storage unit. It also covers items stolen in transit.

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Broken or damaged equipment

This policy can cover the cost of replacing a broken tool or repairing a piece of equipment that has been damaged. However, it does not cover normal wear and tear.

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Vandalism

Contractor’s tools and equipment insurance covers the cost of removing graffiti and repairing equipment damaged by vandalism.

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Leased or rented items

Some policies include protection for contractors who lease or rent equipment. That could include coverage for equipment that you rent for a project, or while you wait for repair of damaged equipment.

How much does contractor’s tools and equipment insurance cost?

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Because it covers items valued at under $10,000, this policy is very affordable. Small business owners pay an average premium of only $14 per month.

Factors that affect the cost of contractor's tool and equipment insurance include:

  • Industry risk
  • Value of your tools and equipment
  • How often items are moved
  • Coverage type (named perils or open perils)
  • Property valuation method
  • Policy limits, deductible, and other coverage options

Who needs contractor's equipment coverage?

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 jobsites. Both small business owners and independent contractors should consider carrying this coverage.

Businesses that purchase this property coverage include:

Construction businesses

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 businesses

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.

It also covers damaged and destroyed items, such as a shipment of glass for a window installer that's stored outside at a client's property during a windstorm.

Landscaping businesses

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.

Top professions we insure

  • Carpenters
  • Carpet cleaning
  • Concrete contractors
  • Drywall installation
  • Electricians
  • Engineers
  • Excavation and grading contractors
  • Flooring installation
  • General contractors
  • Handyman services
  • House cleaning
  • HVAC installation
  • Irrigation
  • Janitorial services
  • Land surveyors
  • Landscape design
  • Lawn care
  • Locksmiths
  • Painters
  • Photographers
  • Plumbers
  • Roofers
  • Tile and stone installation
  • Video production studios
  • Window cleaning

Don't see your profession? Don't worry. Weinsuremostbusinesses.

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What does contractor’s tools and equipment insurance not cover?

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.

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Wear and tear

Items damaged by general wear and tear, such as a lawnmower's blade that dulls over time, are not covered by contractor's tools and equipment insurance.

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Breakage or misuse

Deliberate breakage or misuse are also not covered by this policy. For example, if a worker tries to suck up a large puddle with a leaf blower vacuum, your policy won't cover the resulting water damage.

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Older items

Items that are more than five years old are typically not eligible for coverage.

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Expensive items

Items valued at more than $10,000 are also not covered by this policy. For example, it might cover a small, low-powered tractor, but not a top-of-the-line one.

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Vehicles

Vehicles owned by your business should be covered by commercial auto insurance. Hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) is the right policy for leased, rented, and personal vehicles used for work purposes.

How can I purchase contractors tools and equipment insurance?

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.

FAQs about contractor's tools and equipment insurance

Review answers for frequently asked questions about contractor's tools and equipment coverage.

Can contractor’s equipment coverage be added to a BOP?

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 insurance 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.

How does contractor’s tools and equipment coverage work?

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 reimbursem*nt 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.

What is the difference between contractor's tools and equipment coverage and inland marine insurance?

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, which is designed for machinery or equipment that suffers a mechanical failure at your business.

If you're unsure which policy you need, consult a licensed insurance agent who can help you find the right equipment insurance policy for your small business.

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What types of construction insurance do you need?

The construction industry is full of risks. However, there are several types of construction insurance that can keep your small business protected from the most common hazards.

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FAQs

What does tools and equipment insurance cover? ›

Also called equipment floater insurance and "tool insurance," it's designed for construction and contracting companies and installation professionals that work at different job sites. It protects movable tools and equipment wherever you take them, and pays for repair or replacement if they are lost, damaged, or stolen.

Is tool insurance worth it? ›

Is tools insurance worth the cost? If you use tools for your work, then insurance can provide valuable protection. If you haven't got your tools, because they have been lost, damaged, or stolen, you won't be able to complete your work, and potentially other jobs you have in the pipeline.

What are the three types of insurance that are most relevant to construction projects? ›

The purpose of this article is to correct that misperception, by describing the typical scope of protection offered by three forms of insurance commonly found on a construction project: Commercial Liability Insurance, Builders Risk Insurance, and Professional Liability Insurance.

What is the best insurance for heavy equipment? ›

Chubb (Best for Large Firms & Heavy Equipment)

Chubb is the largest commercial insurer in the U.S. Among a wide range of business policies, Chubb offers comprehensive equipment insurance to help contractors protect their tools and equipment.

How does equipment insurance work? ›

Equipment insurance is a crucial form of coverage for businesses that rely heavily on their tools and equipment to keep their operations running. It pays out the cost to repair or replace essential items if these are accidentally damaged or lost.

What is not covered equipment under equipment breakdown coverage? ›

Normal wear and tear, and damage from neglect and poor maintenance, are not covered by equipment breakdown coverage.

Can you get tool insurance? ›

Tool insurance covers the cost of replacing your tools if they're lost or damaged - for example, due to fire, flooding or theft. Tools that could be included are: Handheld tools (hammers, screwdrivers, saws, pliers) Power tools (drills, sanders, angle grinders, nail guns)

Does liability insurance cover tools? ›

While general liability protects your business from expenses related to damaged property that belongs to someone else, your own tools and equipment would not be covered unless you have tools and equipment insurance.

What is a downside of insurance? ›

1. Insurance Has Many Terms and Conditions. Insurance covers not all losses in a person's life or business situation. Insurance plans' terms and conditions give consumers financial assistance solely in accordance with those conditions.

What type of insurance is traditionally used by contractors? ›

General liability insurance, commonly referred to as commercial general liability (CGL) insurance, is usually the first choice and most common type of insurance coverage that a contractor will seek out. However, while CGL creates a great base for coverage, it does not offer total liability protection.

What is construction insurance called? ›

Builders risk insurance

Builder's risk insurance (also called course of construction insurance) is property insurance that protects buildings while they are under construction, either during a remodel or new construction. It helps mitigate the risk of certain damages during the construction process.

What is construction insurance for dummies? ›

Construction insurance is insurance protection that provides financial compensation for covered losses to a building or structure, as many mistakes, errors, and unforeseen events can lead to damages and losses during the construction of a building.

What type of insurance gives the greatest amount of coverage? ›

Term insurance is initially cheaper than other types of policies that offer the same amount of protection. Therefore, it gives you the greatest immediate coverage per dollar.

How much does it cost to insure a mini excavator? ›

Excavators Insurance Rates And Coverage
StateCoverageTokio Marine
CA1M/2M$1850
PA1M/2M$1100
WA1M/2M$961
GA1M/2M$1110
4 more rows

What kind of insurance do you need for an excavator? ›

General Liability Insurance For Excavation Contractor

It covers property damage and injuries you may cause to third parties while you are doing earthmoving work. Since most of your work is going to come from general contractors they require that you carry at least a certain amount of liability coverage.

What type of equipment is covered under equipment breakdown coverage? ›

There are five categories of equipment that equipment breakdown insurance typically covers: Mechanical, which includes motors, engines, generators, elevators, water pumps and specialized production and manufacturing equipment. Electrical, which includes transformers, electrical panels and cables.

What does custom equipment coverage cover? ›

Custom parts and equipment (CPE) coverage can help pay to repair or replace items that you add to modify your car, like a stereo, navigation system, custom wheels, or even a paint job.

What is the meaning of tools insurance? ›

For the most part, tools and equipment insurance is a policy for contractors that covers your tools and equipment on different job sites. The policy covers lost, stolen, or damaged tools. Here are some important things that must be remembered about this coverage: The tools must be less than five years old.

What is usually covered by insurance? ›

Covered services typically include regular office visits with your doctor, tests, urgent and emergency care, hospital stays, prescription drugs, medical equipment and more.

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