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Tools and Equipment Insurance

Cost protection if the work gear you bring to a job site gets stolen or damaged

Choose your primary industry to get started:

What is Tools and Equipment insurance coverage?

Tools and equipment insurance, also called inland marine insurance, could help with costs if your work gear gets stolen or damaged on a job site. At ERGO NEXT, this coverage is available as an add-on to general liability insurance for contractors and cleaning businesses.

What can Tool and Equipment insurance cover?

  • Costs for stolen tools, machinery, work clothing and safety gear
  • Repairs or replacements for accidental damage to equipment

How much does General Liability insurance with Tools and Equipment insurance cost?

Starting at $38/month

Buy online in about 10 minutes, and cancel anytime.

Who needs Tools and Equipment insurance most?

  • Construction trades and contractors
  • Cleaners and janitorial businesses

Insurance for tools and equipment could help with the costs of

Stolen tools and other gear

A trailer of hand tools, power tools, safety gear and other equipment goes missing from a job site — and work stops until it’s all replaced.**

Accidental damages to your equipment

Someone accidentally backs the truck up into your backhoe, and work can’t continue until damages are repaired.

Rental equipment mishaps

An essential tool you rent for a job gets lost or stolen. Tools and equipment insurance could help.

How much does Tools and Equipment insurance cost?

Tools insurance for contractors and cleaners, when added to a general liability insurance policy, can cost as little as $38/month for some low-risk businesses.

Several factors can influence the price of your tools insurance quote, including:

  • Your industry and business operations.
  • The value of your tools, machinery, safety gear and other equipment.
  • The size of your business.
  • Where you do business.
  • How much coverage you choose.

How to buy General Liability insurance with Tools and Equipment coverage online

Start a free online quote

In about 10 minutes you’ll see the exact price you’ll pay for general liability insurance with a tools insurance add-on.

Customize your coverage

Adjust your policy limits and deductibles to pick the right coverage at the right price.

Buy 100% online

Your coverage is effective after payment. And your certificate of insurance can be shared at no extra cost.

Who needs Tools and Equipment insurance?

Construction trades and contractors

Contractors and other construction pros like plumbers, electricians, painters and landscapers who travel for work could benefit from tools insurance. Business owners in these types of professions could get protection from some financial losses like if the tool storage shed or trailer gets broken into, or if someone on your crew accidentally breaks the tools you need to finish the job.

Cleaning and janitorial services

Commercial cleaners and house cleaners — especially those that use specialized gear like pressure washers, window cleaners or carpet cleaners — travel with equipment and supplies to worksites to get the job done. Tools insurance could protect the cleaning gear they need for windows, floors and more. If anything gets damaged or lost along the way, this coverage could help you quickly replace it or repair it to help you cut downtime and get back to work.

What other types of business insurance do contractors and cleaners need?
In addition to business equipment insurance, many business owners combine several types of business insurance coverage options to help cover more risk. These could include:
General Liability insurance
Tools and equipment insurance is an optional add-on to a general liability insurance policy. In addition to covering stolen tools, general liability policies can help provide coverage for injuries to people who are not employees. It can also help cover damage that your business causes to property th
Commercial Property insurance
Commercial property could help protect the building and contents of a workshop, office, home office or warehouse. It could cover stuff like laptops, furniture, lighting, flooring, products and inventory damaged after a covered event like fire, theft or vandalism, as well as some lost income.
Workers’ Compensation insurance
Most states require workers’ comp if you hire employees. Without it, you can be fined or served a stop-work order. It could help with medical expenses and lost wages after a workplace illness or injury. Owners can cover themselves (optional) for wage replacement, disability and survivor benefits.
Contractor’s Errors and Omissions insurance (Contractor’s E&O)
Contractor’s E&O insurance for construction businesses could help protect your business from the financial fallout of workmanship errors. For example, if a plumber accidentally damages the pipes they install, they could get financial help to fix it.

Tools and Equipment insurance FAQ

Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about business equipment insurance for contractors and cleaners.

What types of tools and equipment could be covered by work tool insurance?

Some examples of business equipment that could be covered items under your tools and equipment policy include:

  • Sanding power tools
  • Saws and hand tools
  • Backhoes and excavators
  • Laser levels
  • Dust-control systems
  • Ladders and workbenches
  • Power drills
  • Blowtorches
  • CNC routers
  • Oscillating multi-tools
  • Concrete moisture meter
  • Stand lights
  • Hearing protection
  • Helmets and safety gear
  • Power tubing cutters

What’s typically not covered by contractors Tools and Equipment insurance?

Tool and equipment insurance can cover a lot if your tools go missing while you’re out on a job — but it doesn’t cover everything.

Be sure to check your policy for exclusions that won’t be covered. Some instances where tools and equipment insurance usually won’t provide coverage include:

  • Corrosion, rust or wear and tear. If your power cutter is so rusted it’s no longer usable, a claim for equipment breakdown likely wouldn’t be covered by your policy.
  • Costs beyond the limit of your policy. Read your policy carefully to understand its limits.

Does Tools and Equipment insurance cover stolen tools?

Yes, business tools insurance can cover the costs of some stolen work gear as long as the thievery happened while you’re at a job site.

Tool and equipment insurance coverage could help protect your gear and tools while you’re working at a client’s site. But while your work equipment is on your own business property, commercial property insurance could be the right coverage.

If your tools or other work gear are stolen in transit to or from a job site or at the construction site, commercial, residential or other location where you’re working, they could be covered by your business equipment insurance policy.

But if your gear is stolen from a work space that you own or lease, such as a warehouse, workshop, or home garage, commercial property insurance could be the type of business insurance that could cover its theft or damage.

Is Tools and Equipment insurance worth it?

Yes, work tool insurance can be worth the cost for many professionals in cleaning, janitorial, construction or for contractors.

To help decide if it’s the right type of business insurance for your needs, take an inventory of all of the hand tools, power tools, equipment, safety gear, supplies, lighting, protective gear and everything else you use every day on the job.

What would it cost you to replace it all if it all disappeared? Compare that to your monthly premium and decide if it’s the right coverage for your business.

How can I add new tools to my business equipment insurance policy?

Did you add a new upholstery cleaner or excavator to your inventory? No problem. If you have a tools and equipment insurance policy with us, it’s easy to add more equipment to your coverage.

You can update and manage your policy 24/7 online. Just log in to your account and update your coverage. And if you need help, our licensed, U.S.-based insurance professionals are available to help you.

Could rented or leased tools be covered by tools insurance?

Yes, if you leased large machinery for a job and it gets stolen from your job site, your contractors tools and insurance coverage could help you cover the costs.

How much Tool and Equipment insurance do I need?

The amount of work tool insurance best for your business depends on many variables, such as:

  • The type of work you do.
  • The value of your tools and other machinery and gear.
  • How much you travel for your work, and where.
  • How many employees, subcontractors and customers you have.
  • The policy limits and the amount of coverage that you choose.

ERGO NEXT’s online quote tool will give you an exact price for tool and equipment insurance coverage specific to your business.

When will I get my policy and proof of insurance?

It takes about 10 minutes to get a quote, buy coverage and get access to policy documents and your certificate of insurance (COI).

You can access your documents and COI 24/7 online or in the ERGO NEXT app for iPhone or Android.

How do I make a Tool and Equipment insurance claim?

You can file a claim anytime online or in the ERGO NEXT app.

You’ll be asked to share the details of what happened and to provide relevant photos and documentation. We strive to make claims decisions as quickly as possible so that you can get back to work.

Learn how to file a claim with ERGO NEXT.

ERGO NEXT Insurance reviews

Always fast and available
It has been making the difference running our business with this insurance company! Always fast and available!
Lucinha Leite Catering
Absolutely amazing service
Absolutely amazing service and they provide you with certificates of insurance fast. And it's affordable!
Joshua Hadley
Very user friendly and simple
Very user friendly and simple to work with! Love the convenience of having next insurance!!
Thomas Huntz

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Unique, flexible coverage with easy monthly payments

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