Is Your Pressure Washing Equipment Actually Insured?

Your equipment is the largest investment you make when running a pressure washing business. Between custom-built skids, hoses, surface cleaners, and the vehicles that haul it all, it’s not uncommon to have tens of thousands of dollars invested in a single setup.

Yet, one of the most common misunderstandings we encounter is how to insure that equipment properly. Many contractors assume their trailer or custom skid is covered by their personal auto policy when they haul it with a personal vehicle. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

A vehicle used for commercial purposes should be on a commercial auto policy, regardless of how your equipment is set up. How you insure the equipment itself depends on whether it’s permanently attached to a vehicle or trailer. You may need coverage through a commercial auto policy, an inland marine policy, or a combination of both.

Commercial auto functions very similarly to a personal auto policy. It includes a liability limit for accidents, comp and collision coverage for physical damage to your vehicle or trailer, and options like roadside assistance, medical payments, and rental reimbursement. The meat and potatoes of the policy are the same, but it gets sticky when it comes to insuring your equipment.

For example, say you buy a pickup truck for $35,000 and install an additional $20,000 of pressure washing equipment, such as a permanently mounted pressure washer, water tanks, hose reels, and a soft wash system. If the truck is insured only for its original value without disclosing the added equipment, there could be a significant coverage gap. Unfortunately, this is a topic your local agent, or the family member who sells insurance, might not understand.

The takeaway: equipment that is permanently attached to your vehicle or trailer, including a custom-built skid, should be included in the insured value and reported to your commercial auto carrier. Ask about custom equipment coverage when you do.

If you have surface cleaners, hoses, or attachments that aren’t permanently attached to a vehicle or trailer, consider covering them with an inland marine policy. These policies cover equipment in transit and at job sites, such as loose tools.

Pricing varies, and these policies often come with large theft deductibles, such as $2,500. In our experience, most equipment claims involve theft, so an inland marine policy may not be the best fit unless you have a lot of higher-valued equipment that isn’t strapped or bolted down to your trailer or vehicle. Locking up and securing your equipment goes a long way toward preventing those claims in the first place.

Most inland marine carriers also restrict equipment that is permanently mounted to vehicles or trailers, which is why it’s important to confirm exactly how each piece of your equipment is being insured.

In short:

Permanently attached to a vehicle, trailer, or skid: include it in the vehicle’s value on your commercial auto policy.
Loose or unattached: consider an inland marine policy, and weigh the theft deductible.
A mix of both: confirm with your agent how each piece is covered.

Overall, it’s best to talk with a specialized agent who understands how your equipment should be covered. Be upfront and honest about how all of it is attached so your property is properly covered. After all, protecting the equipment that keeps your business running is just as important as protecting the work you perform.

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