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Business equipment insurance is a type of coverage that helps protect small businesses from financial losses due to equipment damage or theft.
Equipment is a significant investment for small businesses, with the average cost of equipment replacement ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 or more.
Small businesses can benefit from equipment insurance by having a financial safety net in case of unexpected events.
Having equipment insurance can give small business owners peace of mind, allowing them to focus on running their business rather than worrying about the financial implications of equipment loss or damage.
Cost and Pricing
The cost of business equipment insurance can vary depending on several factors, but on average, small businesses pay around $14 per month, or about $170 annually.
Your industry, total value of covered tools and equipment, location, amount of coverage needed, frequency of tool movement, and types of coverage chosen all impact your premium.
Here are some key cost factors to consider:
- Industry
- Total value of covered tools and equipment
- Location
- Amount of coverage needed
- Frequency in which tools and equipment are moved
- Types of coverage chosen
These factors can affect the cost of your policy, but it's worth noting that replacement value coverage is more expensive than actual cash value coverage, and open perils coverage is typically pricier than named perils coverage.
Average Cost
The average cost of tools and equipment insurance is surprisingly affordable, with small businesses paying an average premium of $14 per month, or about $170 annually.
This figure is sourced from the median cost of policies purchased by Insureon customers from leading insurance companies, which provides a more accurate estimate of what your business is likely to pay compared to the mean average.
Your business's rates may vary based on several factors, including industry, total value of covered tools and equipment, location, amount of coverage needed, frequency in which tools and equipment are moved, and types of coverage chosen.
Here are some key factors that can influence your tools and equipment insurance costs:
- The value of your tools and equipment.
- Your industry risk.
- How often you move your tools and equipment.
- If your policy is a named peril or open peril policy.
- Coverage amount and deductible.
These factors can impact your insurance costs, so it's essential to carefully consider them when selecting a policy.
Factors Impacting Cost
The cost of contractor's tools and equipment insurance is influenced by several key factors, including policy limits and coverage options.
Your industry risk plays a significant role in determining the cost of your contractor's tools and equipment insurance. For example, cleaning businesses pay an average of $38 per month, while general contractors and construction companies pay only $14 a month.
The value of your business property is also a major factor in determining the cost of your contractor's tools and equipment policy. To avoid financial loss, choose a coverage limit that matches the value of your items.
The security of your tools and equipment can also impact the cost of your policy. Keeping your business property safe by storing equipment in a locked office with a burglar alarm can help lower your premium.
The frequency in which your tools and equipment are moved can also affect the cost of your policy. If you frequently transport your equipment, you may need to pay a higher premium.
Here are some key factors that impact the cost of your contractor's tools and equipment insurance:
- Industry: $14/month for general contractors, $38/month for cleaning businesses
- Total value of covered tools and equipment
- Location
- Amount of coverage needed
- Frequency in which tools and equipment are moved
- Types of coverage chosen
What Is
Cost is a crucial aspect of pricing, and it's essential to understand what it entails. Cost refers to the total amount of expenses incurred by a business to produce and sell a product or service.
The cost of goods sold (COGS) is a significant component of cost, accounting for around 50-60% of a company's total expenses. This includes the direct costs of producing a product, such as raw materials and labor.
Pricing is closely tied to cost, as businesses need to ensure they're generating enough revenue to cover their expenses. A business can't charge too little, or they'll be operating at a loss.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage is a crucial aspect of business equipment insurance. You'll want to consider the type of coverage that suits your business needs, such as tools and equipment insurance that covers property coverage for items valued at $10,000 or less.
Your coverage limit should match the value of the items you're insuring to avoid paying for property damage out of pocket. This includes rented equipment, which can add up quickly.
An equipment policy that covers open perils will cost more than a policy that covers named perils, but it provides protection against all losses except those specifically excluded in the policy. This typically includes fires, vandalism, theft, and hail damage.
Exclusions may include wear and tear damage, earthquakes, floods, equipment breakdown, and vehicle damage, which can often be covered by commercial property insurance, auto insurance, and specific coverage endorsements. These exclusions are important to understand when choosing your policy.
A contractor's equipment policy that covers open perils is more expensive than a policy that covers named perils. This is because open perils coverage protects your business property against all losses, except those specifically excluded in the policy.
You can also include contractor's tools and equipment coverage in a business owners policy (BOP), depending on your insurer. This is a good option if you want to bundle your coverage types, such as general liability insurance, business interruption insurance, and commercial property insurance.
Here are some common types of hazards covered by equipment policies:
- Fires
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Hail damage
It's also worth noting that equipment breakdown solutions are available as a package or standalone, providing essential coverage for losses related to damaged boilers, computers, telecom systems, diagnostic equipment, refrigeration systems, production machinery, and more.
Insurance Options and Providers
Insureon is the #1 independent agency for online delivery of small business insurance, allowing you to compare quotes from top-rated providers and buy policies online.
You can get free quotes for property insurance and other insurance products from top-rated U.S. insurance companies by completing Insureon's easy online application.
Independent insurance agents have access to multiple business insurance companies and can compare policy options and quotes for you, presenting you with only the results that offer the best blend of coverage and cost.
What Contractors Cover?
Contractors cover a wide range of tools and equipment, from small hand tools to large machinery. These items are essential to their work, but they can also be expensive to replace if lost or damaged.
Business and contractors tools and equipment insurance can cover theft, vandalism, damage, and destruction to tools and equipment while in transit or stored at an off-site location. This coverage is usually added to a business owners policy or commercial property insurance.
Contractors tools and equipment insurance can be a lifesaver for small businesses that transport or store tools and equipment. Without this coverage, they may be left with significant financial losses if their equipment is damaged or stolen.
Some of the most common types of businesses that need tools and equipment insurance include:
- Appliance technicians
- Carpenters
- Concrete business
- Construction business
- Electricians
- Installation businesses
- Landscapers
- Plumbers
- Tree service contractors
- Welders
Tools and equipment can be covered up to $10,000 in value, and the equipment must be less than five years old to be eligible for coverage. This makes it an essential investment for any contractor who wants to protect their business from financial losses.
Why Small Businesses Choose Insureon
Insureon is the #1 independent agency for online delivery of small business insurance. They help business owners compare quotes from top-rated providers, buy policies, and manage their coverage online.
You can get free quotes for property insurance and other insurance products from top-rated U.S. insurance companies by completing Insureon’s easy online application today.
Their licensed insurance agents can answer any questions and will help make sure you're fully protected.
Including Contractor's Coverage in a BOP
Including contractor's coverage in a BOP is a viable option for many businesses. A standard BOP typically bundles general liability insurance, business interruption insurance, and commercial property insurance, but this coverage alone won't protect your tools and equipment if they're stolen or damaged while in transit or storage.
You can add contractor's tools and equipment coverage to your BOP, depending on your insurer. This coverage pays to repair or replace your tools and equipment while they're in transit or being stored off-site.
Some tools and equipment insurance policies cover borrowed equipment, but you may need to pay extra for this coverage. For example, borrowed equipment is not covered by a basic policy from Next Insurance, you'll need to buy Pro or Pro Plus coverage.
Here are some common industries that rely on contractor tools and equipment insurance:
- Construction businesses
- Contracting companies
- Electricians
- Landscaping businesses
- Lawn care companies
- Cabinet installation businesses
The average cost of contractor's tools and equipment insurance for a small business is $14 per month, or $170 annually. This estimate is based on an analysis of the median cost of thousands of insurance policies purchased by TechInsurance's small business customers from leading business insurance companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a $5 million dollar insurance policy for a business?
A $5 million business insurance policy typically costs between $375 to $525 per year, extending your existing liability coverage with an extra layer of protection.
What does equipment coverage cover?
Equipment coverage pays for repairs or replacements of damaged or lost essential items, helping businesses stay operational. This includes costs for tools, machinery, and other equipment critical to daily operations.
How much does a $1 million dollar business insurance policy cost?
A $1 million business insurance policy typically costs around $69 per month, or $824 per year, although costs may vary depending on your business specifics.
Sources
- https://www.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/contractors-tools-equipment/cost
- https://www.techinsurance.com/contractors-tools-equipment-insurance/cost
- https://www.trustedchoice.com/business-insurance/coverage-types/equipment-breakdown/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business-insurance/tools-and-equipment-insurance/
- https://business.libertymutual.com/commercial-solutions/property/equipment-breakdown/
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