Crane Hot Line April 2026 | Page 37

Insurance Guide

Meeting Insurance Needs

Heavy lifting, moving loads over workers and property, crossing public rights-of-way and transporting large equipment all expose full-service crane companies, rental fleets and taxi crane contractors to unique and costly risks every day and potential losses that far exceed standard business insurance limits.
The core types of insurance coverage most crane companies should have to protect their businesses, ensure compliance with regulations and meet contract and project owner requirements include:
• Commercial General Liability: Protects against third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising from crane use or presence on a job site. This is often contractually required by project owners and general contractors.
• Rigger’ s Liability /“ On-Hook” Coverage: Covers damage to property or cargo being lifted or under the crane’ s load— an exposure not fully addressed by standard general liability policies.
• Equipment Physical Damage: Protects the crane itself from collision, overturn, boom damage, fire, theft and other perils. This can include inland marine to cover transit exposures.
• Commercial Auto Liability: Required when cranes or service trucks travel on public roads or are hauled between sites.
• Workers’ Compensation & Employers Liability: Statutorily required in most states to cover crane operators and riggers if injured on the job.
• Excess / Umbrella Liability: Extends liability limits beyond primary policy caps, which is especially critical in heavy lifting losses where verdicts can exceed millions.
Other considerations include:
• Mandated coverage levels vary by contract, jobsite requirements and local regulations.
• Projects and rental contracts often require evidence of specific coverage before equipment is mobilized.
• Higher liability limits and umbrella policies are especially important for cranes working in urban or highly populated environments.
• Specialized crane insurance programs often provide endorsements and training resources that help reduce total cost of risk, not just pay claims.
Commercial Crane Insurance Providers
AJG United States— Crane, Rigging & Specialized Transportation Insurance
www. ajg. com / crane-rigging-insurance /
Coverage Provided:
• General liability
• Workers’ compensation
• Auto liability
• Property & equipment coverage
• Umbrella / excess
• Specialized extensions( boom overload, loss of use, over-the-road)
Amwins— Crane & Rigging Specialty Contractors Program
www. amwins. com / products / crane-rigging-specialty-contractors-insurance-program-amwins Coverage Provided:
• General liability
• Rigger’ s liability
• Workers’ compensation
• Business auto
• Inland marine
• Umbrella & excess
• Motor truck cargo / contractor’ s pollution
Ascinsure Specialty Risk— Crane & Riggers Insurance( Multi-Lines)
completemarkets. com / company / ascinsure / Crane-Riggers-Insurance-Multi-Lines / Coverage Provided:
• General liability
• Rigger’ s liability
• Workers’ compensation
• Commercial auto
• Inland marine
• Excess / umbrella
• Optional crime coverage
Contractors Choice Agency contractorschoiceagency. com / services / niche-trades / crane-operators Coverage Provided:
• General liability
• Equipment physical damage( boom, overturn)
• Rigger’ s liability / care, custody & control
• Workers’ compensation
• Auto liability
• Umbrella / excess coverage
Crane Network Insurance Partners cranenetwork. com / insurance Coverage Provided( brokered solutions tailored to crane and heavy equipment operations) including:
• General liability
• Equipment coverage
• Auto
• Property / inland marine
• Rigger’ s liability options
DKM Insurance( Construction & Crane Insurance)
www. dkminsurance. com / construction-cranes Coverage Provided:
• General liability
Insurance Providers
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