Inland Marine Insurance from Massachusetts Specialists

Proudly Providing Inland Marine Insurance to Businesses in Massachusetts & Many Other States Across the Nation

Commercial property insurance generally provides protection for supplies, products, and equipment while they’re on a company’s property. Whenever these items are in transit and not on a company’s property, though, commercial property insurance policies usually don’t provide much protection. Instead, Massachusetts businesses usually need another type of insurance to insure inventory and supplies that are in transit. This is just what inland marine insurance is designed to do.

What is Inland Marine Insurance?

Inland marine insurance is a specialized form of property coverage. It’s specifically designed to insure items while they’re being shipped over land. A policy might be used to insure small or large items (e.g. product samples or construction equipment). A policy may cover items while they’re being transported by a business itself or by a third-party carrier.

Where Does the Term “Inland Marine” Come From?

“Inland marine” was originally used to distinguish inland marine coverage from ocean marine coverage. In the days before trucks, trains, and airplanes, goods were often sent by boat. Ocean marine policies provided protection for items while they were on ships crossing the sea, while inland marine policies offered protection once items were transported onto boats that traversed inland waterways.

Free Quotes!

Both forms of coverage have been updated as transportation methods have advanced. The terms used for these types of insurance, however, have remained. Ocean marine policies still generally protect items being sent overseas, and inland marine policies still typically safeguard goods once they’re being sent inland (or over land).

Who in Massachusetts Can Benefit from Inland Marine Coverage?

Many different types of businesses may benefit from the protections that inland marine coverage offers. For instance:

• A construction company in Worcester, MA may need coverage so the company’s heavy equipment is covered while it’s transported to and from job sites
• A landscaping firm in Southborough, MA might want coverage for its mowers, weedwackers, and trimmers while they’re being transported to and from customer’s locations
• A business in Salem, MA that orders a lot of supplies may want coverage for those supplies while they’re being transported to the business’ facility
• A company in Boston, MA that frequently sends out samples might want coverage for samples while they’re being shipped

(Whether a specific policy would provide protection for these types of incidents depends on that policy’s terms, conditions, and exclusions. Many inland marine policies, however, offer coverage for incidents similar to these examples).

Additionally, some Massachusetts residents might want an inland marine policy. Online shoppers, in particular, can often benefit from the protections that a policy affords. Products bought online often aren’t insured by homeowners policies until they’re received. An inland marine policy may offer protection for purchases until they’re received.