What does inland marine insurance cover for commercial businesses?

Inland marine insurance is specifically designed to cover goods and equipment that are in transit over land, as well as certain types of movable property. This type of insurance originated from marine insurance, which covered cargo transported by sea, but over time it evolved to cover risks associated with transporting goods and equipment over land, as well as specific types of property that do not fit into other categories.

This insurance provides coverage for items that may be in transit between locations, stored at a different site than the primary business operation, or that are inherently mobile, such as construction equipment or specialized machinery. As a result, it is vital for businesses that frequently ship products or use mobile tools to safeguard their assets from risks such as theft, loss, or damage while in transit.

The other options do not reflect the primary focus of inland marine insurance. Coverage for fixed property at commercial locations typically falls under property insurance or commercial general liability. While fire damage to marine vessels relates to ocean marine insurance, liabilities related to marine operations would generally be covered under separate marine liability insurance, rather than inland marine insurance.