Handling Heavy Responsibility: Riggers Liability Insurance

Riggers are the backbone of some of our nation’s most vital industries: construction, manufacturing, energy, and more. These hardworking professionals use their expert skills to lift, move, and position the heavy machinery that keeps America running. It’s precision work, and it carries serious responsibility.

At Rollo Insurance, we understand the challenges riggers face every day. When you’re handling high-value equipment and heavy loads, there’s no room for error. That’s why we offer specialized Riggers Liability Insurance, designed to protect your business, your team, and the future you’re building.

As a company rooted in family values and a deep respect for this country, we’re proud to support those who keep our communities strong and our industries moving. Our commitment is to provide reliable coverage you can count on—backed by personal service and real understanding. Let’s make sure you’re covered from every angle. Reach out to Rollo Insurance today. When we stand together, we stand stronger.

High Stakes and Heavy Loads: Risks in the Rigging World

Rigging contractors face a distinct set of risks that go beyond those encountered by general contractors:

• Damage to the Property Being Rigged: This is the most significant and unique risk. Mistakes during lifting, moving, or setting down heavy equipment can cause substantial damage to the very items they are hired to handle. These items can be incredibly valuable and sensitive.
• Damage to Surrounding Property: Dropped loads, swinging equipment, or improperly secured items can cause damage to buildings, structures, or other property at the job site.
• Liability for Improper Rigging: If the rigging is done incorrectly and leads to an accident, injury, or further damage down the line (even after the rigger has left the site), the rigger could be held liable.
• Employee Injuries: Rigging is physically demanding and often involves working with heavy machinery and at heights, increasing the risk of injury to the rigger’s own employees.
• Equipment Failure: While riggers maintain their equipment, the catastrophic failure of a crane, hoist, or rigging gear can lead to significant damage and liability.
• Transportation Risks: Moving heavy equipment to and from job sites presents its own set of risks, including accidents and damage during transit.
• Environmental Damage: Spills of hydraulic fluids or other substances during rigging operations can lead to environmental liability.
• Contractual Liability: Many rigging contracts contain specific indemnity clauses that hold the rigger responsible for certain types of losses.

What’s in the Lift? Understanding Riggers Liability Insurance

Riggers Liability Insurance is specifically crafted to address the unique risks rigging contractors face, particularly when it comes to the valuable equipment and machinery being rigged. Here’s what it typically covers:

• Direct Physical Loss or Damage: This protection covers damage that may occur due to the rigger’s negligence, errors, or omissions during the lifting, moving, or placement of heavy equipment or machinery. If something goes wrong, this coverage ensures you’re not left holding the bill.
• Coverage for Collapse or Dropping: Accidents can happen in high-stakes environments, and policies often cover losses resulting from the collapse or accidental dropping of the item being rigged. When things don’t go as planned, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing you’re protected.
• Care, Custody, and Control: If the property is in your hands for the purpose of being rigged—whether it’s for moving, lifting, or storing—this coverage protects you in the event of damage or loss while the property is under your care, custody, or control.

By having the right Riggers Liability Insurance in place, you ensure your business stays protected from these critical risks, allowing you to focus on getting the job done safely and efficiently.

Why is a Separate Riggers Liability Policy Necessary in Addition to General Liability?

While a General Liability policy provides broad coverage for third-party bodily injury and property damage, it often excludes or severely limits coverage for damage to property in the insured’s care, custody, or control. This exclusion is significant for rigging contractors because the very item they are working on is the most likely source of a substantial claim.

Here’s why a separate Riggers Liability policy is essential:

• Addresses the “Care, Custody, or Control” Exclusion: Riggers Liability specifically covers damage to the property being worked on, which is typically excluded under a standard General Liability policy.
• Higher Limits for Specific Risks: Riggers Liability policies often offer higher coverage limits tailored to the potentially high value of the equipment being rigged.
• Specialized Underwriting: Insurers offering Riggers Liability understand the unique risks of the rigging industry and can provide more appropriate coverage and risk management advice.
• Contractual Requirements: Many project owners and general contractors specifically require rigging contractors to carry Riggers Liability Insurance with adequate limits.

What is the Difference Between Riggers Liability and Installation Floater?

Both Riggers Liability and Installation Floaters provide coverage for property being worked on, but they serve different purposes and industries:

• Riggers Liability: Primarily focuses on the act of lifting, moving, and placing heavy equipment. It’s geared towards the short-term, often high-risk, process of rigging. The coverage triggers when damage occurs during the rigging operation.
• Installation Floater: Covers contractors who are installing equipment or materials as part of a larger project. This coverage typically applies from the time the materials leave the supplier’s premises until the installation is complete and accepted. It covers risks of physical loss or damage to the materials during transit, storage, and installation.

Key Differences Summarized:

Feature	Riggers Liability	Installation Floater
Primary Focus	Lifting, moving, and placing equipment	Installation of materials/equipment
Coverage Trigger	Damage during rigging operations	Damage during transit, storage, installation
Duration	Typically shorter-term, during rigging	Longer-term, from transit to completion
Industry Focus	Specialized rigging contractors	Various contractors involved in installation

While there can be some overlap in situations where a rigger is also involved in the installation process, Riggers Liability specifically addresses the acute risks associated with the lifting and moving phase.

Protecting Your Rigging Business with Rollo Insurance

The precision, expertise, and dedication of rigging contractors are invaluable to industries that rely on heavy lifting and specialized equipment. Protecting your business from the substantial financial risks tied to this work requires specialized coverage.

At Rollo Insurance, we understand the immense responsibility you shoulder with every job. We’re here to ensure you have the right Riggers Liability Insurance, customized to your unique operations and the risks you face on a daily basis. With the right coverage in place, you can focus on the job at hand with confidence, knowing that you’re protected.

Don’t let a single mistake derail the hard-earned success of your business. Reach out to us today for a consultation, and let us help you handle your risks while you continue to do what you do best—lifting and moving the heavy loads that keep industries running.