General information cannot confirm eligibility or coverage for a specific shop, machine, contract, product or loss.
Before requesting a quote
Start with the current policies, renewal date, loss history, sales, payroll, machinery schedule, values, process list, products, customers, end-use, exports and subcontracted work. You can contact Westoak before every document is ready, but the final information package must be complete and accurate.
When the operation changes
Tell the broker before adding a major machine, process, welding, mobile work, a critical end-use, US sales, a new location, an acquisition or a large contract. An important change may affect insurer acceptance, terms or the amount of insurance needed.
Common questions
What insurance does a machine shop commonly need?
The starting list can include commercial property, equipment breakdown, business interruption, commercial general liability, product liability, commercial auto and selected cyber, crime, pollution, property-in-transit or excess coverage. Liability after completed work concerns injury or damage alleged after a job is finished or a part leaves the shop. The right combination depends on the operation.
Can insurance cover a CNC machine crash?
Equipment breakdown insurance can cover certain sudden and accidental breakdowns. The cause, damaged property, maintenance, contract definition, exclusions, limits and deductible determine whether a particular operator or programming error qualifies.
Are wear and tear or maintenance covered?
Wear, deterioration, corrosion, known conditions and maintenance are commonly restricted or excluded. Insurance and service contracts do different jobs.
Can customer material and tooling be insured?
Yes, these values can be included in the insurance discussion. Provide ownership, contractual responsibility, location and the maximum value held at one time so the broker can find the applicable contract terms.
How is defective work treated?
Third-party injury or property damage can fall under product liability, while rework, replacement, delay, loss of use and damage to the work itself may be treated differently. The broker checks each cost against the actual insurance contract.
How is welding included?
Disclose the type, volume and location of welding or cutting, hot-work controls, materials and end-use. The insurer can then decide whether to include the work and on what terms.
Can leased machines be included?
Yes. Provide lease or finance requirements, ownership, values, details about how the lender must be shown on the policy and responsibilities after damage.
Can a home-based machine shop request insurance?
Yes. The insurer will ask about residential zoning, visitors, power, fire protection, equipment, materials, processes, lender or landlord requirements and exclusions in the home policy.
How long does a quote take?
Timing depends on how complete and complex the information package is, insurer response and whether a site visit or follow-up is needed. Anthony can explain the next step after seeing the initial details.
What happens after I submit the form?
Anthony checks the initial details and contacts you for the information needed to approach suitable insurers. If another Westoak broker needs to help, Westoak will tell you. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
Primary sources
Safety sources explain the operation, not whether insurance will pay a claim. Use the current insurance contract and its certificate or summary page when making a coverage decision.
Questions about who handles the request? Meet Anthony and Westoak →