Inland Marine Insurance for California Contractors | EIS California
Protecting the Tools and Equipment That Power Your Projects
Your equipment, tools, and materials are the backbone of every project. From excavators and skid steers to power tools and copper piping, these assets represent significant investment — and major exposure if something goes wrong.
At Eastman Insurance Solutions (EIS California), we understand that for mid-to-large contractors, the real work happens on the move — between job sites, storage yards, and project locations across the state. That’s why we provide comprehensive Inland Marine Insurance specifically designed for California contractors managing high-value tools, mobile equipment, and materials in transit.
What Inland Marine Insurance Covers
Inland Marine Insurance protects your property off-site, in transit, or temporarily stored — where traditional property insurance stops.
Coverage Highlights
- Contractor’s Equipment: Protects owned or leased machinery like excavators, backhoes, trenchers, lifts, and cranes.
- Tools and Small Equipment: Covers hand tools, power tools, and small devices that move from job to job.
- Materials in Transit: Covers materials, fixtures, or supplies being transported to or from job sites.
- Temporary Storage: Protects materials stored off-site or awaiting installation.
- Rented or Borrowed Equipment: Covers items you lease or rent from others under short-term agreements.
Whether you’re moving tools across Los Angeles, staging materials in San Diego, or running multi-site operations in the Bay Area, EIS California ensures your equipment stays protected every step of the way.
Why Inland Marine Coverage Is Essential for Contractors
For contractors generating between $5MM and $50MM in annual revenue, tools and equipment losses can be one of the costliest operational setbacks. Theft, fire, vandalism, and transit damage are among the most frequent claims in construction — and without proper coverage, replacement costs can devastate cash flow and project timelines.
EIS California helps mitigate those risks with broad-form coverage that goes where your assets go. This ensures your protection follows your tools and materials, not just your office address.
How EIS California Protects Contractors
Our Inland Marine programs are built for scale — protecting everything from a single truckload of tools to fleets of heavy equipment across multiple locations.
We provide:
- Scheduled or blanket coverage for owned and leased assets
- Quick certificate turnaround for project or rental verification
- Risk management guidance to prevent losses and control claims
- Integration with your General Liability, Commercial Auto, and Property policies for seamless coordination
We work directly with top-rated carriers such as The Hartford, Travelers, Nationwide, Chubb, and Liberty Mutual, securing specialized equipment policies tailored to your operations.
Common Assets Covered Under Inland Marine
| Category | Examples of Covered Equipment |
|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment | Excavators, backhoes, bulldozers, trenchers, cranes |
| Portable Equipment | Compressors, generators, welders, power tools |
| Installation Coverage | Materials awaiting installation (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) |
| Rented Equipment | Leased machinery under short-term contracts |
| Jobsite Storage | Materials stored temporarily between projects |
Premium Expectations for California Contractors
Inland Marine premiums depend on the value of your equipment, the number of job sites, and theft exposure.
Typical annual premiums range from $1,500 to $50,000+, depending on your operation size and total insured values.
EIS California helps you find cost-effective coverage by identifying risk concentration, implementing security best practices, and ensuring you’re not overpaying for underused or low-value items.
Integrating Inland Marine Coverage into a Complete Program
Inland Marine Insurance is one piece of a larger protection strategy. EIS California integrates this coverage with your broader contractor program, including:
- General Liability Insurance
- Workers Compensation Insurance
- Commercial Auto Insurance
- Excess Liability (Umbrella) Insurance
- Contractor License & Performance Bonds
Our goal is simple: build a unified coverage plan that protects your people, your property, and your productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the difference between Inland Marine and Property Insurance?
Property Insurance covers equipment and assets at a fixed location, while Inland Marine covers items in motion or at temporary job sites.
2. Does Inland Marine cover leased or rented equipment?
Yes. It can include rented, leased, or borrowed equipment, ensuring you’re protected under short-term or long-term rental agreements.
3. What are the most common Inland Marine claims for contractors?
Theft of tools and materials, vandalism, and equipment damage during transport are the most frequent claims.
4. How can I reduce my Inland Marine premiums?
Maintain secure storage areas, use GPS or tracking systems, and schedule annual equipment audits to prevent over-insuring depreciated items.
5. Can I bundle Inland Marine with my other business policies?
Absolutely. EIS California builds bundled programs that integrate Inland Marine with General Liability, Auto, and Workers Comp for full protection and cost efficiency.
Protect Your Equipment Investment with EIS California
Your tools and machinery keep your projects on schedule — don’t leave them exposed to loss or theft.
EIS California provides Inland Marine Insurance solutions that protect your mobile equipment and materials wherever the job takes you.
Call EIS California today or visit EISCalifornia.com to schedule your coverage consultation.