Inland Marine Insurance – Protecting Your Pool Cleaning Equipment On the Go

If you operate a pool cleaning and servicing company in Florida, your tools and equipment are your lifeline. From vacuums and pool skimmers to pumps, hoses, test kits, and chemical storage tanks, your crew relies on these assets to perform work efficiently and safely at every stop.

But here’s a hard truth many pool contractors discover too late: standard commercial property insurance doesn’t cover your tools once they leave your business location. So if your truck is broken into at a job site or your equipment is damaged while in transit, you could be out thousands of dollars with no coverage.

That’s where inland marine insurance comes in.

This lesser-known policy is essential for pool professionals who move valuable gear from job to job. In this article, we’ll explain what inland marine coverage is, how it protects your tools and equipment, and why every Florida pool cleaning business—large or small—should include it in their risk management strategy.

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What Is Inland Marine Insurance?

Despite the confusing name, inland marine insurance has nothing to do with boats or waterways. Instead, it covers property that is in transit, movable, or stored offsite.

It’s sometimes referred to as:

• Tools and equipment coverage
• Contractor’s equipment coverage
• Property in transit coverage

For Florida pool contractors, inland marine insurance provides protection for the tools, machinery, and specialty gear you transport in your vehicles, trailers, or store at client sites and temporary locations.

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Why Pool Contractors in Florida Need Inland Marine Insurance

Most pool service companies operate a mobile model. You load your trucks each morning with vacuums, leaf nets, pumps, chemical test kits, and small machines—then drive from property to property.

This constant motion creates exposure. Consider the risks:

• Your van is broken into during a stop, and several tools are stolen.
• A power washer is damaged when a trailer jackknifes.
• Equipment left temporarily at a commercial jobsite is vandalized overnight.
• Your technician drops and breaks a pool automation control system worth $2,000.

Without inland marine coverage, none of these incidents are covered under your standard property or auto policies. That’s because commercial property insurance typically only protects items located at your primary business address—and auto insurance does not cover tools or equipment in transit.

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What Does Inland Marine Insurance Cover?

Inland marine coverage for pool service companies typically includes:

✅ Hand Tools

Skimmers, brushes, telescopic poles, pool test kits, and hand-held vacuums.

✅ Specialized Equipment

Automatic pool vacuums, submersible pumps, acid washing sprayers, pressure washers, etc.

✅ Machinery in Transit

Anything that moves with your team—from robotic cleaners to water testing systems.

✅ Equipment Stored Offsite

Items left at a commercial pool jobsite or in a storage unit.

✅ Temporary Installations

If you’re installing temporary automation equipment or chlorination systems during a servicing project.

Most inland marine policies offer “all risk” coverage—which means they protect against theft, vandalism, accidental damage, fire, and more, unless specifically excluded.

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Real-World Claim Scenarios for Florida Pool Contractors

🔹 Truck Break-In Theft

Your crew stops at a convenience store between jobs. When they return, the truck’s rear doors have been forced open, and over $4,000 worth of tools are missing. Inland marine insurance reimburses you for the stolen equipment (less your deductible).

🔹 Damage During Transit

A technician accidentally backs into a curb, toppling a stack of equipment. Your $1,200 pool vacuum is cracked and no longer functions. Inland marine pays for repair or replacement.

🔹 Vandalism at a Jobsite

You’re working on a large commercial pool over several days. Overnight, vandals damage the equipment you stored in a secure pump room. Your inland marine policy covers the replacement cost.

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What Inland Marine Does Not Cover

While broad, inland marine insurance has limitations. Most policies exclude:

• Wear and tear or maintenance-related breakdowns
• Intentional damage
• Employee theft (may require a separate crime policy)
• Vehicles themselves (covered by commercial auto)
• Property stored at your main office (covered under business property insurance)

It’s also important to keep an up-to-date equipment schedule with serial numbers and estimated replacement values to ensure proper reimbursement in a claim.

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How Much Does Inland Marine Insurance Cost?

For most pool contractors in Florida, inland marine insurance is affordable and customizable. Premiums typically range from:

• $250 to $750/year for small tool and equipment schedules
• Higher rates for businesses with expensive automated systems or multiple vehicles/trailers

Pricing depends on:

• The value of equipment you want to insure
• Type and mobility of the items
• Number of vehicles and storage locations
• Claims history
• Deductible selection

Inland marine can be written as a standalone policy or added as an endorsement to your business owner’s policy (BOP).

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Tips for Managing Equipment Risk and Claims

Want to reduce the chance of theft or loss?

• Use lockable toolboxes inside vans and trailers
• Store chemicals and high-value gear in separate, secure compartments
• Label all tools with company name and keep serial numbers on file
• Use tracking or inventory management software for large fleets
• Don’t leave expensive gear at customer sites overnight without written agreements
• Take photos and maintain documentation to support any future claims

Being proactive about security can lower your premium and protect your investment.

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Bundling Inland Marine with Other Coverages

Inland marine insurance works hand-in-hand with your broader commercial policy package, including:

• General liability (covers injury or property damage—not your tools)
• Commercial auto (covers damage to your vehicle—not equipment inside)
• Property insurance (covers contents at your business location—not in transit)
• Pollution liability (if transporting chemicals)
• Umbrella insurance (extends coverage limits across all policies)

Working with an insurance advisor who understands your operations ensures no gaps in protection.

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Why Florida Risk Partners Is the Right Choice for Your Equipment Coverage

At Florida Risk Partners, we understand how pool contractors operate in the field—because we work with service businesses like yours every day. We know you don’t just need a policy—you need a protection plan that moves with you.

We’ll help you:

• Identify equipment and tools that need coverage
• Determine appropriate limits and deductibles
• Integrate inland marine into your existing policy bundle
• Respond quickly if a claim happens
• Keep premiums affordable without sacrificing protection

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Don’t Leave Your Tools—and Your Business—Unprotected

Your equipment is your business. Losing it to theft or damage without insurance can mean lost jobs, unhappy customers, and costly replacement bills.

With inland marine insurance, you don’t have to take that risk. It’s a small investment that delivers big peace of mind—especially when your tools are always on the move.