phrase
inland marine
In plain English
Despite the name, this covers movable business property — tools, equipment, electronics — wherever they go, including off-site jobs.
Originally for cargo on inland waterways (hence the name). Today it's the catch-all for stuff that moves: contractor tools, tradesmen's equipment, transit, signs, computers, fine art, builders risk.
What it covers
Open-peril coverage on movable property as scheduled. Common forms: contractor's equipment, builders risk, installation floater, computer floater, fine art floater, transit, exhibition.
What it does not cover
It is NOT building coverage for fixed real property — that's commercial property. Inland marine is movable or installation-phase.
Where it trips people up
Each carrier writes inland marine differently. 'Tools and equipment' on a BOP rider is much narrower than a true contractor's equipment floater on a separate inland marine policy.
The technical version
A class of property insurance covering movable property, transportation, communications, bridges, tunnels, pipelines, builders risk, and similar specialty exposures, traceable to ocean marine origins but expanded over time.