Why Inland Marine Insurance Matters for Louisiana Real Estate Firms

What Inland Marine Insurance Actually Covers

Despite the confusing name, inland marine insurance doesn’t have anything to do with boats. Instead, it covers property and equipment that moves from place to place — something many real estate professionals depend on every day.

Staging materials, signage, electronics, promotional displays, photography gear, and even mobile workstations fall into this category. These items are often loaded up, driven across town, unpacked, and set up at a property that may or may not be insured under your primary policy.

Inland marine insurance fills that gap. It helps replace or repair items damaged or stolen while in transit or off-site — not just when they’re sitting safely at your office.

Why Louisiana Real Estate Professionals Should Care

Real estate activity in Louisiana is rarely stationary. Whether you’re serving buyers in Baton Rouge or coordinating open houses in Alexandria, the nature of the job means constant movement.

Here’s why inland marine insurance matters specifically for firms operating across southern Louisiana:

Your Tools Travel With You

Brokers and agents don’t just work at a desk. From laptops and lockboxes to staging furniture and signs, the tools of the trade are often mobile. If those items are damaged while driving, stolen from a property, or lost in transit — you could be left replacing them out of pocket.

Hurricane Season Doesn’t Play Nice

Let’s face it: we deal with unpredictable weather. Storms, flooding, and wind events aren’t always covered under traditional property insurance when items are off-premises. Inland marine insurance can offer broader protection for assets that are constantly on the move.

Clients Expect Professionalism

A delayed open house due to stolen signs or damaged marketing materials can hurt your brand’s credibility. Inland marine insurance helps firms avoid downtime by quickly covering replacement costs and keeping business running.

What Types of Items Should Real Estate Firms Consider Covering?

If you’re not sure whether inland marine insurance is worth it, take stock of your moving parts — literally. These are some of the most commonly covered items under inland marine policies for real estate professionals:

• Home staging furniture and décor

• Photography and videography equipment

• Portable signage

• Lockboxes and smart entry systems

• Computers and tablets taken into the field

• Drone equipment

• Trade show displays

• Personal property stored at listings or rentals

• Lease agreements or paperwork transported in a vehicle

If it's something your team brings to a property or transports regularly, it’s worth asking about inland marine coverage.

What Inland Marine Insurance Doesn’t Cover

It’s not a catch-all policy — inland marine insurance has limitations. For example:

• Vehicles themselves aren’t covered (that’s commercial auto)

• Permanent property at your business location should be handled under commercial property insurance

• Intentional damage or employee theft is typically excluded

• Standard wear and tear or gradual deterioration is also not included

Still, when paired with a Business Owners Policy (BOP), commercial auto insurance, or general liability, inland marine insurance fills in a big protection gap.

How Much Does It Cost?

Rates for inland marine insurance vary depending on:

• The value of the equipment or materials covered

• Your claims history

• The level of risk (how often items are transported, where they’re stored, etc.)

• Your location

For most Louisiana real estate firms, the premium is relatively small compared to the potential losses that could be incurred from stolen or damaged equipment — particularly staging supplies or specialty technology.

How to Set Up Inland Marine Coverage for Your Firm

Getting inland marine insurance in place isn’t difficult, but it’s worth doing carefully.

Take Inventory of Your Mobile Assets

What equipment does your team move regularly? What’s the replacement value?

Work With an Independent Agent

A commercial insurance advisor (like Kastner Insurance) who understands real estate businesses in Louisiana can help you find the right level of protection — and integrate it with your existing coverage.

Update Your Policy as You Grow

Are you staging more homes this year? Have you recently bought new photography gear or added a drone service? Your inland marine coverage should grow with your business.

Inland Marine Insurance Is More Than an Add-On

It’s easy to think of inland marine insurance as optional — until you need it. The truth is, Louisiana real estate firms are especially vulnerable to the types of risks this coverage is designed to address.

If you’ve invested in quality equipment, staging furniture, or mobile marketing tools, don’t let them go unprotected when they leave the office. Inland marine insurance is designed for your kind of business — one that doesn’t stay in one place.

Need Help Getting the Right Coverage?

Kastner Insurance works with real estate firms across Louisiana, including Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and the surrounding areas. We specialize in matching commercial coverage to your exact business model — including inland marine, cyber liability, general liability, and more.

Let us help protect the tools that keep your business moving.