Inland Marine for Roofers

Roofers inland marine insurance covers tools, equipment, and materials while in transit and on job sites — the coverage gap that a standard commercial property policy leaves open. A roofing contractor whose tools are stolen from a truck or whose shingles wash off a flatbed is not covered by general liability or commercial auto alone; inland marine fills that specific gap.

Who this is for: Commercial roofing contractors — residential, commercial, and industrial — who transport tools, equipment, and materials between jobs and need protection beyond the four walls of a fixed location.

TL;DR — Key Takeaways

• Inland marine covers roofing tools, equipment, and materials in transit and at temporary job sites — your commercial property policy does not.
• A standard roofers inland marine policy can cover hand tools, power equipment, nail guns, compressors, and roofing materials like shingles and underlayment.
• Limits typically range from $25,000 to $500,000+; premium often runs $500–$2,500 per year for small-to-mid contractors.
• Theft from an unattended vehicle is one of the most common covered losses; carriers may require proof of locked storage.
• Inland marine is often a contract requirement from general contractors and property owners on commercial projects.

What Does Inland Marine Cover for Roofers?

Inland marine is a "floater" policy: coverage travels with the property, not the location. For a roofing contractor, that means protection applies while equipment and materials are:

• In your truck or trailer on the way to a job site
• Staged at a job site (on the roof, in the driveway, or in an unlocked cargo area)
• At temporary storage locations such as a rented storage unit or a client's parking lot overnight

What is typically covered:

What is typically NOT covered:

• Wear and tear, mechanical breakdown, or corrosion
• Tools left unsecured in an unlocked vehicle (some carriers exclude or sublimit this)
• Employee theft (requires a crime/fidelity policy)
• Equipment used exclusively at a permanent business location (that belongs under commercial property)

How Much Does Inland Marine Insurance Cost for Roofers?

Premium is driven by the total value of tools and equipment scheduled on the policy (the "scheduled value"), the deductible chosen, loss history, and geographic area.

These are illustrative market ranges, not quotes. Your actual premium depends on carrier, state, claims history, and coverage terms.

Cost factors specific to roofing:

• Theft exposure — Roofing tools are high-value and easily resalable; carriers in metro areas or high-theft ZIP codes may charge more or require anti-theft conditions.
• Material value — Contractors who routinely carry $15,000+ in shingles on a flatbed may need a higher limit or a separate materials floater.
• Replacement cost vs. ACV — Replacement-cost inland marine policies cost more but pay to replace tools without depreciation; actual-cash-value (ACV) policies deduct for age and condition.
• Deductible — A $500 deductible versus $2,500 can swing premium 20–35%.

What Limits Do Roofers Need on an Inland Marine Policy?

There is no universal answer, but a practical starting point is to schedule every tool and piece of equipment at its current replacement cost — not what you paid years ago.

How to calculate your limit:

1. Walk through your truck(s) and trailer(s) and list every tool, tool bag, compressor, generator, and piece of staging equipment.
2. Look up the current retail replacement price for each item (not the used resale value).
3. Add the maximum value of materials you typically transport at one time.
4. Round up to the nearest $10,000 coverage tier.
5. Review annually — new tools, new equipment, and inflation increase replacement costs over time.

Common mistakes:

• Under-insuring by using purchase price instead of replacement cost
• Forgetting to add new equipment mid-term (most policies require endorsement)
• Not scheduling high-value single items (some policies sublimit items over $2,500 unless separately listed)

Inland Marine vs. Other Roofer Policies — What Covers What?

Roofers carry several policies, and the gaps between them matter.

How to Get Inland Marine Coverage as a Roofer (5 Steps)

1. Create a tools-and-equipment inventory. List every item, its model/serial number, age, and current replacement cost. Carriers often require this schedule at binding.
2. Identify your peak material exposure. Determine the highest dollar value of roofing materials you'll ever have in transit or on-site at one time.
3. Choose replacement cost vs. ACV. For tools less than five years old, replacement cost usually pays for itself within one or two claims.
4. Compare at least two to three carrier quotes. Inland marine rates vary widely; an independent agent can access multiple markets simultaneously.
5. Add an "installation floater" endorsement if needed. If you install materials that sit on a roof for days before the job is complete, an installation floater (a sub-type of inland marine) covers those materials during the installation period.

Real-World Scenario — $47,000 Theft Claim in Atlanta, Georgia

This is an illustrative example only. Your results will differ based on policy terms and carrier.

Background: A 12-crew residential and light-commercial roofing contractor in Atlanta operates three trucks and two trailers. Each vehicle carries approximately $15,000 in tools and compressors, plus the crew typically stages $8,000–$12,000 in shingles and underlayment at job sites overnight.

What happened: Overnight, a cargo trailer parked in a client's driveway was broken into. Two nail guns ($1,800 each), a pneumatic compressor ($2,400), extension cords and accessories ($900), two pneumatic staplers ($600 each), and $22,000 in architectural shingles were stolen. Total loss: approximately $30,100.

Without inland marine: The general liability policy covered zero (no property coverage). The commercial auto policy covered the trailer itself but not the contents. The contractor absorbed the entire loss out of pocket, delaying two jobs.

With a $75,000 replacement-cost inland marine policy (deductible: $1,000): The contractor filed a claim, provided the equipment inventory and police report, and received a payment of approximately $29,100 ($30,100 minus the $1,000 deductible). The claim was settled within 18 business days.

Annual premium for this policy: Approximately $1,450/year. The single claim returned 20 years of premium.

Frequently Asked Questions — Roofers Inland Marine

Does my commercial auto policy cover tools stolen from my truck? No — in almost all cases, commercial auto covers the vehicle itself and liability arising from its operation, not the contents. Tools and equipment inside the truck or trailer are specifically excluded under standard commercial auto forms. You need an inland marine or tools-and-equipment floater for that exposure.

What is the difference between an inland marine policy and an equipment floater? The terms are often used interchangeably in the contractor market. Technically, an "equipment floater" (or contractor's equipment floater) is a sub-type of inland marine that covers mobile equipment. Some carriers offer standalone equipment floaters; others bundle it into a broader inland marine form. Both protect tools and equipment in transit and at job sites.

Are roofing materials covered under inland marine? Materials can be covered, but you typically need to either (a) schedule them explicitly on the policy or (b) purchase an "installation floater" endorsement. A standard equipment floater may not automatically include raw materials like shingles, underlayment, or flashing. Confirm with your agent before assuming coverage.

Do I need inland marine if I already have a business owner's policy (BOP)? A BOP's commercial property section covers property at your listed business location — not at job sites or in transit. Most BOPs exclude or sublimit contractor's tools and equipment off-premises. You'll likely need a separate inland marine endorsement or standalone policy.

What deductible should a roofing contractor choose? A $1,000–$2,500 deductible is common for small contractors. Higher deductibles reduce premium, but for tool values under $5,000, a high deductible makes most losses not worth claiming. Choose a deductible you can comfortably absorb on a bad day.

Does inland marine cover employee theft of tools? No. Standard inland marine excludes dishonest acts by employees. Coverage for employee theft requires a crime policy or commercial crime endorsement (fidelity coverage).

Will my inland marine policy cover rented equipment? Standard owned-equipment floaters typically do not cover hired or rented equipment. If you frequently rent lifts, telescoping forklifts, or cranes, ask your agent about a "hired equipment" endorsement or a separate equipment rental endorsement.

Is inland marine required by general contractors on commercial roofing jobs? Increasingly, yes. General contractors and commercial property owners may require proof of tools-and-equipment coverage — often evidenced by a certificate of insurance — as a condition of subcontract. Some GC contracts specify minimum limits ($50,000–$100,000 is common).

Why Roofers Work with Morrow

1. Multi-carrier access for the roofing trade. Morrow is an independent agency, which means we place roofing risks across multiple admitted and surplus-lines carriers — not just one company's product. We compare inland marine terms, limits, and pricing on your behalf. [Morrow to confirm: list of active inland marine carriers for roofing.]

2. Same-day certificates. If a GC requires proof of inland marine before you can start work Monday morning, we issue COIs quickly — we don't make you wait three business days for a carrier rep to call back.

3. Roofing-specific coverage knowledge. We understand the difference between a contractor's equipment floater, an installation floater, and a builders risk policy — and which one applies when shingles are staged on a roof for a week. We help you avoid coverage gaps that generic agencies miss.

4. Full commercial P&C program placement. Inland marine is one piece. We also place your general liability, commercial auto, workers compensation, and umbrella in a coordinated program — reducing gaps at the policy interfaces where claims fall through.

5. Claims advocacy. When a loss happens, we represent your interests, not the carrier's. We help document the claim, push for timely payment, and challenge underpayments on your behalf.

Get a Quote

Ready to protect your tools and equipment? Get a roofers inland marine quote from Morrow or call us at [Morrow to confirm phone number] to speak with a specialist.

Trust strip: Morrow (Afthonea Inc. DBA Morrow) is a licensed independent commercial insurance agency. [Morrow to confirm: licensed states and license numbers.] We work with A-rated admitted and surplus-lines carriers. [Morrow to confirm: current carrier partners and review platform links.]

Related Pages

• Roofers Insurance — Industry Overview
• General Liability for Roofers
• Workers Compensation for Roofers
• Commercial Auto for Roofing Contractors
• Inland Marine Insurance — Coverage Guide
• What Is an Installation Floater?
• Contractor's Equipment Floater — Cost Guide

Author: Written by the Morrow Commercial Insurance Editorial Team, reviewed for technical accuracy by a licensed P&C insurance professional. Published: June 2026 Last updated: June 2026

Sources: - Insurance Information Institute (III) — Inland Marine Insurance - International Risk Management Institute (IRMI) — Contractor's Equipment Floater - National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) — Commercial Lines Policy Guidance - Insurance Services Office (ISO) — Commercial Inland Marine Conditions Form (CM 00 01) - National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) — Roofing Industry Insurance Overview - OSHA — Roofing Industry Standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart R)