Overview
Artisan contractors are skilled tradespeople who perform work on a customer's premises and commonly move tools and equipment between jobs.
Examples include plumbers, electricians, carpenters, tree surgeons, roofers, piano tuners, interior decorators and exterminators.
Because their tools and specialized equipment travel and are exposed to theft, damage and third‑party liability, these contractors typically need tailored insurance solutions beyond a standard policy.
Key takeaways
- Tools and equipment that move between jobs often require a floater or inland marine coverage.
- A Business Owners Policy (BOP) can bundle property and liability but may need endorsements for movable property.
- Liability coverage, including Owners and Contractors Protective Liability, protects business owners from claims tied to contractor work.
- Work with an insurance professional to match coverages to specific trades, projects and vehicle use.
How it works
A Business Owners Policy typically covers business property at the policy address and can include tenant improvements for leased locations.
Items that regularly move between sites—portable tools, testing equipment and specialized machinery—are usually insured with floaters or inland marine forms rather than a standard property policy.
For descriptions of policy options and how inland marine coverage applies to service and repair operations, see Understanding Artisan Contractors and Insurance.
What it may cover (and what it may not)
Coverage can include on‑site property, tools and equipment in transit, testing or installation periods, and certain building materials while being used for a job.
Floaters or an installer's floater may be written on a reporting form or for a single job, depending on the contractor's needs and the insurer's options.
Liability coverage protects against third‑party bodily injury and property damage claims that arise from the contractor's operations, and specialized forms protect business owners from subcontractor negligence.
Standard property policies may not cover movable equipment away from the business premises, and some high‑value tools or vehicles may require endorsements or separate policies.
For packaged options that combine property, liability and other business coverages for contractors, consider reviewing a tailored policy such as the Commercial Artisan Contractors Insurance Package.
Common mistakes to avoid
Assuming a standard BOP automatically covers tools taken to job sites is a frequent error; movable equipment often needs a floater or endorsement.
Failing to list subcontractors or to obtain Owners and Contractors Protective Liability can leave a business owner exposed to claims tied to hired workers.
Not disclosing vehicle use or misclassifying business vehicles can result in denied claims or insufficient coverage for damage and liability.
Questions to ask an agent
- Do my tools and portable equipment need a floater or an inland marine policy to be covered away from the business address?
- Will my BOP cover tenants' improvements and installed materials when I lease a workspace?
- Is Owners and Contractors Protective Liability available to protect customers from subcontractor actions?
- Which vehicle coverages are recommended for trucks or vans used primarily for business?
- Are there value limits, sublimits or special exclusions for specific types of tools or testing equipment?
Next steps
Document the typical value of tools, the frequency of jobsite moves and any subcontractor relationships before contacting an insurer or broker.
Compare policy forms, floaters and endorsements that fit the trade and job sizes, and consult a specialist listing options like Artisan and Specialty Contractors Insurance for tailored solutions.
If you want a quote or to review coverages, you can talk to an agent to confirm limits, deductibles and any required certificates for customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a standard Business Owners Policy cover tools taken to a jobsite?
Not always; portable tools and equipment frequently require a floater or inland marine endorsement for off‑premises coverage.
What is an installer's floater and when is it used?
An installer's floater covers equipment and materials in transit, during installation and sometimes during testing for single jobs or on a reporting basis.
Do subcontractors need to be named on my policy?
Subcontractors may need to be listed or carry their own liability; Owners and Contractors Protective Liability can also protect the hiring party in many cases.
Are business vehicles covered under a BOP?
Vehicles are generally not fully covered by a BOP; commercial auto insurance or endorsements are often necessary for business use.