What Is an Installation Floater? (Inland Marine Insurance Explained for the Wedding Industry)
If you run a wedding business that moves décor, rentals, or structures from venue to venue, an installation floater can be one of the most important—and most misunderstood—insurance coverages you have.
Quick Definition (Plain English)
An installation floater is a type of inland marine insurance that covers your wedding-related property while it is:
- In transit to or from a wedding venue
- Temporarily stored at the venue
- Waiting to be installed or set up
- Partially installed or staged
- Being set up before the event
Coverage generally lasts until the installation is complete and the event occurs. Think of it as: insurance for your wedding assets while they are on the way to becoming part of the event.
What “Inland Marine” Means (and Why Wedding Businesses Need It)
Despite the name, inland marine insurance has nothing to do with boats. It’s designed to insure mobile business property—items that regularly move between locations.
Common Wedding Industry Examples
- Arches and ceremony backdrops
- Floral installations and structures
- Tables, chairs, linens, and décor
- Custom signage and displays
- Tents and temporary structures
Where Property Policies Fall Short
- Usually only cover items at your shop or warehouse
- Limited or no coverage while items are off-site
- Do not address venue setup risk
What an Installation Floater Typically Covers
While coverage varies by insurer, an installation floater often protects wedding businesses from:
Often Covered (Policy-Specific)
- Theft from a venue or job site
- Fire or smoke damage
- Vandalism
- Accidental breakage during setup
- Damage during transit
- Weather-related loss (depending on policy)
Common Exclusions
- Poor workmanship or improper setup
- Normal wear and tear
- Mechanical or structural failure
- Earthquake (unless added)
- Flood (often separate)
Real-World Wedding Scenarios
Installation floaters matter most during the riskiest moments of a wedding setup, such as:
- Floral arches delivered and stored overnight at a venue
- Rental furniture staged before the ceremony
- Décor installed the day before a wedding
- Tents or structures partially assembled prior to the event
How Installation Floaters Are Usually Structured
Installation floaters are commonly written as:
- Per-event or per-job limits (example: $50,000 per wedding)
- Total aggregate limits across all active events
- Requirements to itemize high-value décor or structures above a certain dollar amount
Tip: Custom floral structures, arches, or specialty rentals are often best scheduled individually.
Quick Comparison: Wedding Insurance Coverages
| Coverage | Best For | What It Protects |
|---|---|---|
| General Liability | Events & venues | Injuries or damage to others |
| Property Policy | Your shop or warehouse | Décor and inventory at your location |
| Inland Marine / Installation Floater | Transport & setup | Wedding assets while moving or being installed |
Questions to Ask Your Insurance Broker
- Do we have inland marine coverage for décor and rentals off-site?
- Does our policy include an installation floater for setup before the event?
- What are the per-event and aggregate limits?
- Do we need to itemize items over a certain value?
- Are earthquake and flood excluded unless added?
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