The figures machinery breakdown insurance is based on are as follows: the main cause of defective machinery is human error. Up to 40% in the case of combustions engines and 80% for presses. This damage is obviously not covered by the manufacturer's warranty but it of course has to be paid for...
Cover for all company machinery
A machinery breakdown insurance policy is worthwhile above all for very expensive machines that are extremely vulnerable, particularly when the machines are at the heart of your company, as is the case in very many areas, such as energy, construction, woodworking, metal, printing, food, textiles, farming and chemicals.
Machinery breakdown insurance offers benefits to any company that owns or rents machinery, including manufacturers and importers, together with financial institutions that conclude leasing and renting agreements. It is important for you personally to be able to choose which machinery should or should not be insured.
Extended cover
The important thing is to include the right cover in your policy, so it is best to examine the actual risks facing your company. Standard cover grants financial assistance in the event of:
- human error such as clumsiness and negligence
- internal factors such as construction or assembly errors
- electrical causes (power surge, overheating and breakage)
- external factors such as a fall, impact, frost, storms,…
The policy may generally be extended to include additional cover not typically featured in the contract. It is up to you to judge (with our advice) whether the additional premium is justified for this additional protection:
- fire, explosion, direct effects of lightening, falling aircraft if you have not included the machinery in your fire insurance
- theft
- consequential damage such as loss of profits or trading losses
High insured value
The only thing that counts for you is to have your machine back in perfect working order as soon as possible. This is factored into the insurance company's compensation as well. Accordingly, you are entitled to an amount equal to the replacement as new value on the insurance policy starting date.
The amount of compensation is based on the full repair cost over the replacement as new value on the day of the damage (in the event of total loss). Account is of course also taken of depreciation and normal wear and tear. An annual update is required so your machinery continues to be properly insured.
Essential in and outside production areas
This insurance is vital for static manufacturing machines, while cranes, bulldozers, elevator platforms and lifting machinery can also be insured with machine breakdown cover. In this case, the policy may even be extended to include protection against fire, explosion, land movement, theft and accidents on public roads.
