ROOFING TOOLS
& EQUIPMENT
INSURANCE
A stolen nail gun. A compressor dropped off the roof. A generator gone from the job site overnight. Your tools are your livelihood. Replace them without bleeding cash.
YOUR TOOLS ARE YOUR BUSINESS
A roofing contractor's tool inventory can run $15,000 to $50,000 or more. Pneumatic nail guns, high-capacity air compressors, roofing hoist systems, staging scaffolding, generators, heat welders for TPO and EPDM work, metal brake equipment — this is serious capital investment.
General liability does not cover your tools. Commercial auto does not cover the loose equipment in your truck bed. Your business property policy covers equipment at your office, not at the job site. That gap — your tools at the job site and in transit — is exactly what a contractor equipment floater covers.
Roofing tools get stolen. They get dropped off roofs. They get damaged in loading and unloading. A compressor that takes a fall from a two-story roof is not going to be repaired by any of your other policies. That is a tools and equipment claim.
WHAT IT COVERS
ROOFING EQUIPMENT WE COVER
PRO TIP: KEEP AN EQUIPMENT INVENTORY
Document every piece of equipment with serial numbers, purchase receipts, and photos. Store the list off-site or in the cloud. When you file a claim, your ability to prove what was stolen or damaged directly affects the payout. We can provide an equipment inventory template when you get your policy.
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT FAQ
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT INSURANCE AND INLAND MARINE?
Inland marine is the broader policy type that tools and equipment coverage falls under. It covers property in transit or at temporary locations — which describes roofing equipment perfectly. When someone says "tools and equipment policy" they typically mean a contractor equipment floater, which is a type of inland marine coverage.
DOES IT COVER THEFT FROM MY TRUCK OVERNIGHT?
Yes, if you have a policy with theft coverage and the tools are secured. Most policies require that vehicles are locked and some require that tools are in a locked compartment or toolbox. Review your policy conditions carefully — claims can be denied if the vehicle was not locked.
HOW DO I SET THE VALUE ON MY EQUIPMENT?
You can insure for actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV). ACV factors in depreciation — your five-year-old nail gun is worth much less than when you bought it. RCV pays to replace the item with a comparable new one. RCV costs more in premium but is worth it for frequently used equipment.
ARE RENTED TOOLS COVERED?
Rented or borrowed equipment requires a specific endorsement or a separate policy provision. Many roofing contractors rent equipment periodically — scaffolding, specialty tools. Make sure your policy extends to non-owned equipment in your care, custody, and control.
WHAT IS A PER-ITEM DEDUCTIBLE VS BLANKET DEDUCTIBLE?
Per-item deductibles apply to each individual claim. Blanket deductibles apply to the loss event regardless of how many items were stolen or damaged. For multiple items in a single theft, a blanket deductible works in your favor.
IS MY AIR COMPRESSOR COVERED IF IT BURNS OUT FROM ELECTRICAL SURGE?
Electrical breakdown is often excluded from standard tools policies. You may need equipment breakdown coverage (boiler and machinery) as an add-on. Ask us specifically about this if you have expensive powered equipment.
REPLACE YOUR TOOLS. NOT YOUR SAVINGS.
Tool theft from job sites is rampant. Do not self-insure a $30,000 tool inventory when coverage costs a fraction of that.