You lock up the office, set the alarm, and head home for the night. But what about the laptop in your employee’s car? The camera gear at a client shoot? The tools loaded in a work van parked downtown? Business equipment doesn’t stay in one place — and neither do the risks that come with it.
If your equipment gets stolen while it’s away from your primary location, the situation can get complicated fast. Here’s what business owners need to know.
Your Standard Business Property Policy May Not Cover It
Most commercial property insurance policies are designed to protect assets at a specific location — typically your office, warehouse, or storefront. When equipment leaves that location, coverage often becomes limited or disappears entirely.
This surprises a lot of business owners. They assume that because they’re insured, they’re covered everywhere. That’s not always the case. A stolen laptop from a hotel room or tools lifted from a job site may fall outside the scope of a basic property policy.
Before something goes wrong, it’s worth reviewing exactly what your current policy covers — and where its boundaries are.
Inland Marine Insurance: Coverage That Travels With You
This is where inland marine insurance comes in. Despite the name having nothing to do with boats, this type of coverage is specifically designed for property in transit or used away from a fixed location.
Inland marine policies can cover equipment like:
- Cameras and production gear
- Contractor tools and machinery
- Laptops and mobile devices
- Medical or diagnostic equipment
- Trade show displays and materials
If your business relies on equipment that moves — whether it’s with employees, in vehicles, or at off-site locations — inland marine coverage is worth serious consideration.
What About Auto Insurance?
If equipment is stolen from a company vehicle, some business owners assume their commercial auto policy will handle it. It typically won’t. Commercial auto insurance covers the vehicle itself, not the contents inside it.
There may be some overlap with other policies depending on your situation, but relying on auto insurance alone to cover stolen equipment is a risky assumption.
Filing a Claim: What to Expect
If your equipment is stolen off-site and you do have the right coverage in place, here’s what the claims process generally looks like:
- Report the theft to local authorities and get a police report — this is almost always required.
- Notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. Delays can complicate claims.
- Document what was stolen, including serial numbers, purchase receipts, and photos if available.
- Review your deductible — the amount you’ll pay out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in.
Keeping an up-to-date equipment inventory makes this process significantly easier and strengthens your claim.
Gaps in Coverage Are More Common Than You Think
Many businesses don’t discover their coverage gaps until after a loss occurs. By then, the options are limited. The smarter move is to audit your current insurance before something gets stolen.
Ask your insurance provider or broker specifically about:
- Off-site and in-transit coverage
- Inland marine or equipment floater policies
- Any exclusions related to unattended vehicles or temporary job sites
A few targeted questions now can prevent a costly surprise later.
The Bottom Line
Equipment theft off-site is a real risk — and a surprisingly common one. The good news is that the right insurance coverage can protect your business assets wherever they go. The key is making sure you actually have that coverage before you need it.
Talk to your insurance provider about the gaps in your current policy. A small adjustment to your coverage today could save your business from a significant financial hit down the road.
