Inland Marine Insurance for Landscaping Companies in Florida: Protecting Your Tools and Equipment on the Move

For landscaping companies across Florida, the tools of the trade are the backbone of the business. From zero-turn mowers and hedge trimmers to skid steers and trailers full of gear, your equipment doesn’t just stay at the shop—it travels with you from job to job, yard to yard, city to city.

But here’s the catch: most commercial property and auto insurance policies don’t cover tools and equipment once they’re off premises or in transit. That’s where Inland Marine Insurance for Landscaping Companies in Florida comes in.

In this post, we’ll break down exactly what inland marine coverage is, what it protects, why it’s essential for Florida landscaping businesses, and how to ensure you’re not left paying out of pocket after theft, damage, or disaster.

---

What Is Inland Marine Insurance?

Despite the confusing name (which has nothing to do with boats), inland marine insurance is designed to cover mobile property—specifically, tools and equipment that move from place to place or are used at different job sites.

For landscapers, this includes:

• Riding and walk-behind mowers
• Trimmers, edgers, blowers
• Chainsaws, pole saws, and stump grinders
• Irrigation tools and trenchers
• Skid steers, trailers, and generators
• Hand tools, toolboxes, safety gear

If you rely on it to do your work and it moves with you, inland marine is likely the only policy that can fully protect it.

---

Why Florida Landscaping Companies Need Inland Marine Coverage

1. Your Equipment Isn’t Always at Your Main Location

Let’s face it—landscaping companies operate on the go. Your crew might be working at five different properties in a day, and your gear is constantly being loaded, transported, and used off-site. Most commercial property policies only cover items at your listed business address. If a trailer full of gear is stolen at a client’s job site or tools are damaged in transit, your property policy won’t help you.

Inland marine fills that gap, providing coverage anywhere your tools go—job sites, parking lots, storage units, or even the back of a truck.

2. Florida Is a Hotspot for Equipment Theft

According to the National Equipment Register, Florida ranks in the top five states for equipment theft—especially landscaping and construction tools. Why?

• Landscapers often leave trailers and gear unsecured overnight.
• Storm cleanup work means leaving equipment temporarily unattended.
• Tools left in truck beds or open trailers are easy targets.

A single zero-turn mower can cost $8,000 or more. If your trailer is stolen with two mowers, blowers, and hand tools inside, you could be looking at $15,000+ in losses. Inland marine insurance helps you recover quickly by reimbursing you for stolen or damaged items, minus your deductible.

3. You’re at Risk for Job Site Damage

Even when theft isn’t the issue, your tools are still vulnerable to:

• Damage during transport (bouncing in the trailer)
• Accidents on-site (equipment tipping over, fuel spills, dropped tools)
• Weather-related damage (rain, lightning, heat exposure)

Without inland marine, you’d be forced to pay out-of-pocket for repair or replacement. Inland marine gives you the peace of mind that you’re protected when the unexpected happens.

---

What Does Inland Marine Insurance Cover?

A well-written inland marine policy for landscapers in Florida typically includes:

✔ Scheduled Equipment

This refers to high-value items that are individually listed on the policy, such as:

• Riding mowers
• Skid steers
• Sprayers
• Large trenchers or aerators

You’ll need to provide serial numbers, purchase prices, and descriptions.

✔ Blanket Coverage for Small Tools

This covers miscellaneous gear that’s under a certain value (often $1,000 per item), including:

• Hand tools
• Blowers
• Hedge trimmers
• Saws and clippers

You don’t have to list each item individually, which is helpful when you have dozens of small tools.

✔ Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value

• Replacement Cost (RC): Pays for new equipment at today’s prices.
• Actual Cash Value (ACV): Pays based on current value, factoring in depreciation.

RC offers better protection, especially if you rely on newer tools that are expensive to replace.

---

Common Inland Marine Claim Scenarios in Florida Landscaping

🌴 Theft from Job Site

A landscaping crew in Fort Lauderdale left their trailer overnight at a commercial site due to heavy rain. Thieves broke the locks and stole:

• 2 commercial-grade mowers
• 4 trimmers
• 3 blowers
• Several toolboxes

Total loss: $18,700

Their inland marine policy paid for the replacement equipment within 2 weeks, minus a $1,000 deductible. Without coverage, the company would’ve faced major project delays and financial strain.

🌴 Fire Damage in Storage Yard

In Tampa, a small fire broke out in a shared storage facility after a neighboring tenant’s battery charger malfunctioned. The blaze damaged several pieces of equipment, including a trencher and several irrigation tools.

Inland marine insurance paid out over $7,500 to replace damaged items. A general liability or commercial property policy would not have covered the off-premises loss.

🌴 Equipment Falls During Transport

A mower being loaded into a trailer in Sarasota fell off the ramp and broke its front axle. It was the company’s primary mower, and a new one would cost $9,000.

Claim paid: $8,400 (after depreciation under ACV coverage)

---

Florida-Specific Risks That Inland Marine Helps Mitigate

Florida’s unique environment and work conditions create added risk for landscaping companies. Inland marine insurance can protect against:

⚠ High Heat & Humidity

Florida’s climate can overheat engines, warp plastic casings, and degrade fuel lines. Inland marine can cover sudden equipment failures caused by environmental damage (as long as negligence isn’t involved).

⚠ Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

Sudden storms and flying debris are major threats during hurricane season. If your trailer is parked at a job site and a storm blows through, your inland marine policy can cover damage to the tools and gear inside.

⚠ High Job Volume and Mobility

The Florida landscaping market is booming, meaning you’re probably working multiple jobs daily. The more your tools move, the more vulnerable they are. Inland marine is designed to provide portable protection for a mobile business.

---

What Doesn’t Inland Marine Insurance Cover?

Inland marine doesn’t cover everything. It generally excludes:

• Employee theft (unless added as an endorsement)
• Wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns
• Items not listed (for scheduled policies)
• Tools not properly secured or stored

Always read your policy carefully and work with an agent who understands landscaping to avoid unexpected coverage gaps.

---

How Much Does Inland Marine Insurance Cost in Florida?

The cost of inland marine coverage depends on:

• The total value of your equipment
• The deductible you choose
• Whether you select ACV or RC coverage
• Claims history
• Storage and security protocols

Typical cost range: $500–$2,500/year, depending on the size of your operation. For many small businesses, it’s an affordable way to avoid massive out-of-pocket losses.

---

How Inland Marine Insurance Complements Your Other Policies

A strong insurance program for Florida landscapers includes:

• General Liability: Covers injury to others or damage to their property
• Commercial Auto: Covers vehicle-related accidents and liability
• Workers’ Comp: Covers injuries to your employees
• Inland Marine: Covers tools and equipment in transit or at job sites

Together, these policies provide complete protection for your business, team, clients, and assets.

---

Secure Your Equipment, Secure Your Business

You’ve worked hard to build your landscaping business. Don’t leave your most essential tools unprotected.

Inland Marine Insurance for Landscaping Companies in Florida isn’t optional—it’s the only way to properly insure the gear that makes your work possible.

At Florida Risk Partners, we specialize in helping landscaping businesses protect their equipment, crews, and operations. We understand the unique risks Florida green industry contractors face—and we know how to build the right coverage to address them.