Equipment Breakdown Insurance for Commercial Roofing Contractors
Equipment breakdown insurance covers sudden mechanical or electrical failure of your equipment — events that inland marine and property policies specifically exclude. Commercial roofers rely on expensive spray foam proportioners, hot-air welders, generators, compressors, and crane equipment that can fail catastrophically without warning. When a $60,000 spray rig seizes mid-project, this policy pays for repair or replacement and lost income.
What It Covers
Equipment breakdown covers mechanical failure, electrical arcing, motor burnout, boiler explosion, and pressure system rupture for owned equipment. It pays for the cost of repair or replacement, expediting expenses to get the project back on schedule, spoiled materials caused by the breakdown, and business income lost during the downtime. If your spray foam proportioner overheats and destroys its internal components mid-application, this policy covers the repair plus the cost of renting a replacement unit.
What It Does Not Cover
Equipment breakdown does not cover damage from external causes like theft, fire, or weather — those perils are covered by inland marine or property policies. It excludes wear and tear, gradual deterioration, lack of maintenance, and cosmetic damage that doesn't affect function. Equipment still under manufacturer warranty may also be excluded.
Real Claim Examples
A spray foam proportioner experiences a catastrophic pump failure mid-project, requiring $18,000 in parts and labor plus $4,000 to rent a replacement unit while repairs are made. A generator powering rooftop equipment suffers an internal electrical arc, destroying the unit and halting work on a hospital reroof for three days — $25,000 in equipment loss and $12,000 in business income. A hot-air welder's heating element fails internally, requiring a $6,000 replacement and causing a two-day project delay.
How Much It Costs
Equipment breakdown insurance for commercial roofers typically costs $1,500 to $5,000 annually depending on the total value and type of equipment scheduled. It can often be added as an endorsement to your property or BOP policy at minimal additional cost. Deductibles range from $1,000 to $5,000 per occurrence.
Why Work With Us for This Coverage
We know which roofing equipment is most prone to breakdown and how to structure coverage that includes rental reimbursement and expediting expenses — because a dead spray rig on a project with liquidated damages can cost you far more than the repair bill alone.
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