I walked out to my driveway, and my 2024 Ford Transit detail van was gone. Inside was a $5,000 pressure washer setup, a 100-gallon water tank, a generator, and $3,000 in polishers and chemicals. My Auto insurance offered to pay for the van… but $0 for the equipment.
Key Takeaways
- Commercial Auto vs. Upfitting: Standard Commercial Auto covers the factory van. It covers the shelving if you declared the “Custom Parts & Equipment” (CPE) value. It rarely covers the loose generator or chemicals.
- Inland Marine for Tools: You need an Inland Marine (Tool Floater) policy to cover the polishers, vacuums, and loose gear stolen with the van.
- Attached vs. Unattached: If the water tank is bolted to the floor, it might be covered under Auto (CPE). If it’s strapped in, it’s Inland Marine. You need to clarify this with your agent before the theft.
- Wrap Coverage: Did you insure the $4,000 vinyl wrap? Most policies pay to paint the new van white. They won’t pay to re-wrap it unless you endorsed the policy for “Advertising Wraps.”
The “Why” (The Trap): The “Factory Standard” Valuation
Commercial Auto pays Actual Cash Value (ACV) of a stock Ford Transit.
It does not account for the 40 hours of labor you spent building the rig, nor the $15,000 in gear inside.
The Gap: You insured a delivery van, but you lost a mobile factory.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I priced out full coverage for a rig.
1. Progressive Commercial Auto
- Van: Covered.
- CPE (Shelves/Tank): Covered up to $5,000 limit included. Needed to buy up to $15,000 for full coverage.
- Tools: Excluded.
2. Next Insurance (Inland Marine)
- Tools: Covered ($10,000 limit).
- Chemicals: Covered (Consumables often excluded, check policy).
3. Wrap Insurance
- Result: Had to list the wrap as “Custom Paint/Equipment” to get it covered.
Comparison Table: Van Theft Payouts
| Item Stolen | Standard Auto Policy | Auto + CPE Endorsement | Inland Marine Policy |
| Van Chassis | Paid | Paid | N/A |
| Water Tank (Bolted) | Denied (Usually) | Paid | N/A |
| Generator (Loose) | Denied | Denied | Paid |
| Vinyl Wrap | Denied | Paid (If listed) | N/A |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- List Your CPE: Call your agent today. Tell them: “I have $15,000 of permanently attached equipment (tank, reels, shelves) and a $4,000 wrap.” Increase your CPE limit.
- Get Inland Marine: Buy a separate policy for the Rupes, Mytee extractors, and loose tools.
- GPS Tracker: Hide a hardwired GPS tracker (not OBD-II, thieves pull those) deep in the dash. Recovery is better than a claim.
- Keep Receipts in Cloud: If the van is stolen, your paper receipts in the glove box are gone too.
FAQ
Q: Are my chemicals covered?
A: Sometimes under “Business Personal Property” on the Inland Marine policy, but often subject to a deductible that makes claiming them pointless.
Q: Does it cover loss of income while I have no van?
A: Only if you have “Business Interruption” or “Rental Reimbursement” with a “Modified Vehicle” rider (to rent a work van, not a sedan).
[IMAGE: Diagram of a detail van highlighting “Auto Policy Zone” (Chassis) vs “Inland Marine Zone” (Tools/Generator).]