Product liability
Finished goods can cause injury or damage, creating exposure across the supply chain.
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Manufacturing Insurance
Work on your floor may include customer-owned material or tooling as well as your own stock. Property protection needs to identify whose interests are there, alongside liability for the products and processes your factory actually takes on.
The Southern Agency helps you protect your production assets, manufacturing facilities, and product-related liabilities.
Operations within this group
You turn materials or components into products, using processes that differ from one factory to the next. A damaged machine can stop output, while a finished product alleged to injure someone can lead to a claim away from the plant.
The Southern Agency can review your products, production, and sales arrangements to help you select insurance. We can discuss plant property and breakdown protection alongside product liability, without treating rework, recalls or performance promises as automatic benefits.
Find your business
Choose your business type to discuss insurance with The Southern Agency. If it isn’t listed, call an agent to ask whether we can place it.
- Abrasive Product FactoryReviewing insurance for burst grinding wheels, the dust and chemicals used in production, and losses when curing ovens or presses fail.
- Adhesive and Sealant ProducerInsurance questions for adhesive and sealant makers include bond-failure damage, solvent fires, chemical releases, and interrupted batches.
- Agricultural Equipment MakerReviewing insurance for farm-machinery injury claims, fabrication hazards, and critical machine tools, including dealer obligations, recall costs, and excess liability.
- Aircraft Assembly PlantReviewing aviation liability, fleet-grounding claims, high-value aircraft, and tooling, and the technical-data risks of integrating a finished aircraft.
- Aircraft Engine MakerReviewing aviation liability, engines held for customers, and test-cell damage, with separate questions about fleet grounding and metal-treatment pollution.
- Aluminum Rolling and Extrusion OperationInsurance for aluminum presses and mills, product failures in structural or automotive uses, anodizing releases, and metal shipments.
- Aluminum Smelting PlantInsurance for continuous aluminum reduction, molten-metal injuries, frozen potlines and restart losses, and emissions and spent-potlining waste.
- Audio and Video Equipment FactoryInsurance for AV product fires, valuable electronics inventory, assembly-line failures, and shipments, with separate questions about warranties and recall.
- Battery Production FacilityInsurance for battery production and storage fires, cell or pack failures in the field, and chemical releases. Chemistry, process and end use shape the coverage review.
- Belt and Wallet ManufacturerBelt and wallet manufacturer insurance considers valuable hides and hardware, theft evidence, dyes and product injuries, consigned stock, shipments and brand agreements.
- Boiler and Tank ManufacturerYou fabricate heavy pressure vessels and tanks where a welding defect could cause a rupture at a client's site, or a test failure could injure someone in your shop.
- Brick and Block PlantBrick and block plant insurance considers fired or cured masonry, kiln and press dependencies, silica and handling injuries, structural product claims, yard stock and deliveries.
- Brush and Mop ManufacturerInsurance for brush and mop production, actual fiber and handle materials, tufting machinery, stored stock and injury claims from supplied cleaning tools.
- Burial Casket ManufacturerReview casket manufacturing insurance for wood or metal fabrication, finishing operations, staff injuries and claims involving hardware or structural failure.
- Bus and RV ManufacturerYou fit out vehicles where an electrical or propane system failure could injure an occupant or cause a fire, and road testing at your plant adds significant vehicle liability.
- CNC Machine ShopInsurance for your CNC-machined parts, shop equipment, and customer tooling.
- Cabinet and Countertop WorkshopCabinet and countertop workshop insurance considers actual wood and stone fabrication, silica tasks, slab custody, tools in transit and damage during installation versus faulty-work costs.
- Canvas Bag ManufacturerInsurance for your canvas bag production, material stock, and order fulfillment.
- Car and Light Truck Assembly PlantCar and light truck assembly plant insurance considers vehicle/product duties, recall versus injury costs, robotic and paint-line dependencies, suppliers, worker injuries and connected controls.
- Cardboard PlantInsurance for your cardboard plant, combustible fiber stock, and production line continuity.
- Carpet and Rug ManufacturerInsurance for your carpet production, yarn stock, and flammability-related product risks.
- Cement MillInsurance for your cement production, dust-related liability, and bulk-transport logistics.
- Children's Clothing FactoryInsurance for your children's clothing factory, product-safety compliance, and sewing operations.
- Clothing FactoryClothing factory insurance considers seasonal fabric and garment values, customer stock at finishers, production machinery, worker injuries and product claims distinct from buyer chargebacks.
- Computer Assembly PlantInsurance for your computer assembly plant's high-value inventory and data-imaging operations.
- Construction Machinery ProducerReview construction-machinery insurance for excavator, loader, and boom injury claims, heavy-fabrication tools, and dealer obligations.
- Consumer Electronics FactoryReview consumer-electronics insurance for powered and battery devices, connected-product data, and automated assembly lines.
- Conveyor Equipment MakerReview conveyor-maker insurance for guarding and control injury claims, customer-site integration, and components in transit or installation.
- Copper Refining FacilityReview copper-refining insurance for acid tankhouse operations, rectifier failures, and metals held or recovered.
- Corrugated Box ProducerReview corrugated-box insurance for heated corrugators, combustible rolls, and cases, converting equipment, and delivery fleets.
- Curtain and Drapery MakerReview drapery-maker insurance for customer fabrics, hanging work and the flame-performance tests a buyer specifies.
- Custom Architectural MillworkReview architectural millwork insurance from shop fabrication through delivery and installation.
- Custom Extrusion FacilityYour extrusion lines involve high temperatures and molten plastic, where a breakdown can scrap your work in progress and damage expensive custom tooling.
- Custom Fashion WorkshopCustom fashion workshop insurance considers client and heirloom textiles, handwork valuation, fittings, design duties, show custody and distinct refund or remake promises.
- Custom Metal FabricatorYour shop produces custom assemblies where a welding error can lead to costly rework or structural failure at a client's site.
- Custom Millwork ShopCustom millwork shop insurance considers bespoke stairs and casework, material and accumulated-labor values, installation duties and protection that may end before project handover.
- Decorative Wood Paneling ProducerYou press, laminate, and finish panels in continuous runs, creating wood dust and handling volatile solvents that can pose fire and environmental risks.
- Denim Production LineYou process large volumes of cotton yarn into denim, using heavy machinery and chemical dyes that create fire, mechanical, and effluent exposure.
- Dental Equipment and Supply ManufacturerInsurance for dental equipment and supply manufacturing, with patient-contact products, contamination or labeling claims and any sterile processing identified separately.
- Dental LaboratoryDental laboratory insurance considers custom restorations and design duties, models and cases in transit, CAD/CAM and furnace dependencies, patient scan data and precious-metal custody.
- Door and Window ManufacturerYou assemble window and door units that must perform within a building envelope, meaning a seal failure or rating issue can lead to widespread moisture damage claims.
- Dress and Suit TailorDress and suit tailor insurance considers customer garments versus shop property, actual alteration and pressing causes, peak formalwear values, fitting injuries and event-date promises.
- E-Cigarette Liquid ProducerYou blend ingredients like nicotine and flavorings, working with substances that are acutely toxic and face strict regulatory oversight.
- Electric Motor ProducerYou manufacture motors for industrial and HVAC use, creating long-tail product risk if a winding fails or a motor overheats in service.
- Elevator AssemblerYou fabricate complex elevator systems and send crews for onsite installation, meaning your work carries both factory-floor hazards and long-term passenger safety consequences.
- Embroidery ShopEmbroidery shop insurance considers client versus shop-owned blanks, accepted stitching and custody losses, machines, storefront visitors, artwork approvals and online payment duties.
- Engineered Wood ManufacturerYou manufacture structural wood products like beams and panels by bonding fibers with adhesives under heat and pressure.
- Explosives ManufacturerYou produce regulated energetic materials like detonators and boosters for industrial clients under strict federal safety standards.
- Fabric Coating PlantYou coat or laminate textiles for technical uses, with fire, chemical and performance exposures shaped by the formulation and curing process.
- Fabric Weaving PlantFabric weaving plant insurance considers actual fibers and loom banks, shared air-system dependencies, lint and worker exposures, owned or entrusted rolls and fabric rejection versus insured damage.
- Fastener and Button ManufacturerYou produce high-volume components like rivets and buttons that are integrated into goods manufactured by your customers.
- Ferroalloy Production PlantYou operate high-power submerged arc furnaces to produce ferroalloys, creating intense heat, dust, and gaseous byproducts.
- Fertilizer Production PlantYou manufacture or blend fertilizers, with chemical-release, storage and crop-damage questions specific to the nutrients and processes you use.
- Fiber Optic Cable ProducerYou produce high-precision fiber optic cable using high-temperature draw towers and specific chemical coatings.
- Fine Art Paper ConverterYou convert raw paper into archival-quality sheets for artists and print studios, using delicate coating and finishing processes.
- Foam Product ManufacturerYou produce flexible or rigid foam for industrial and consumer use by mixing reactive chemicals or by cutting and molding foam blocks.
- Footwear FactoryFootwear factory insurance considers actual materials and bonding processes, wearer-injury claims versus withdrawn shoes, press and molding dependencies, stock, workers and retailer terms.
- Furniture Reupholstery ServiceYou manage a reupholstery shop that restores furniture and seating, often handling valuable customer property.
- Gasket ManufacturerYou manufacture sealing components used in engines, valves, and pressure systems, which can involve cutting or molding composite materials and metals.
- Glass Bottle FactoryGlass bottle factory insurance considers continuous melting and forming, actual container end uses, refractory and power dependencies, worker burns and contents injury versus withdrawal costs.
- Gypsum Board ManufacturerYou produce gypsum wallboard through a high-speed process involving calcining, mixing, and drying in long kiln dryers.
- HVAC Equipment MakerYou manufacture HVAC systems such as furnaces and chillers, combining sheet-metal fabrication with assembly of controls and refrigerant circuits.
- Handbag and Purse MakerYou design and assemble handbags using materials like leather and canvas, along with decorative hardware.
- Hardware and Fastener FactoryYou run automated high-speed lines that convert metal wire and bar stock into millions of fasteners.
- Hat and Cap ProducerYou manufacture and decorate headwear using embroidery, screen printing, and other finishing techniques.
- Heavy Truck FactoryYour heavy truck factory relies on overhead cranes, heavy-lift equipment, and welding to assemble frames and drivetrains.
- Hosiery MillYour hosiery mill uses automated circular knitting machines and chemical dye processes to produce apparel.
- Industrial Control Device MakerYour business builds controllers and sensors that automate critical industrial processes.
- Industrial Gas SupplierYour business fills and distributes high-pressure cylinders and cryogenic vessels containing hazardous or specialty gases.
- Industrial Pump and Compressor PlantYour plant machines and tests heavy rotating equipment for use in critical applications like refineries or pipelines.
- Injection Molding ShopYour injection molding shop produces plastic components using high-pressure presses, custom molds, and molten resin.
- Ink and Dye FactoryYour factory blends pigments, solvents, and resins into inks and dyes.
- Institutional Furniture BuilderYour business builds casework and furniture for demanding environments like schools and hospitals.
- Iron FoundryYour foundry casts metal components using molten iron and silica-bearing sand.
- Jewelry and Silverware ManufacturerJewelry and silverware manufacturer insurance considers owned and customer metals or stones, setters and transit, actual security and theft evidence, processing hazards and wearer-injury claims.
- Kitchen Cabinet ShopYou design, build, finish and install custom cabinetry in homes and jobsites.
- Knitting MillKnitting mill insurance considers actual needles and cams versus insured machine damage, yarn and shaped-garment ownership, outside finishing, lint/fire and product claims distinct from rejected runs.
- Leather Accessory WorkshopLeather accessory workshop insurance considers actual hand and powered work, dyes and hardware, visitor demonstrations, stock and tools at shows, helper duties and custom-order remedies.
- Leather Tanning FacilityYou process hides using chemicals, drums, presses and drying lines to create leather.
- Lighting Fixture FactoryYou manufacture energized lighting fixtures that are often mounted overhead in homes or businesses.
- Linen and Bedding ProducerYou cut, sew and package household linens and bedding for retailers and healthcare buyers.
- Machine Tool ManufacturerYou build high-speed CNC lathes, mills and grinders that require precision control logic and mechanical safeguards.
- Major Household Appliance PlantYou operate assembly lines for appliances like refrigerators and ranges, which combine metal, plastic, electrical, and refrigerant systems.
- Mattress and Bedding ProducerYou manufacture mattresses and toppers using various foams, springs and fire-barrier materials.
- Medical Electronics ProducerYou design and manufacture diagnostic or monitoring devices that require firmware and clinical precision.
- Metal Forging ShopMetal forging shop insurance considers hot-stock and hammer/press duties, noise, customer dies and processing stock, accepted component end uses, quench releases and qualifying machinery failures.
- Metal Plating and Coating ServiceYou finish customer-supplied parts through processes like anodizing, powder coating or wet-line plating.
- Metal Stamping PlantYou operate mechanical and hydraulic presses to form sheet-metal components, often working with expensive customer-owned dies.
- Military Vehicle ManufacturerYou fabricate and test armored vehicles for defense contracts, which involves complex welding, ballistic-material handling and sensitive data.
- Mineral Wool PlantReview mineral wool plant insurance for furnaces, fiberizing lines, repair and restart time, insulation ratings and material-specific worker exposures.
- Mining Equipment ManufacturerYou build large-scale mining equipment, from crushers to loaders, often requiring on-site rigging, assembly and commissioning.
- Motorcycle Apparel ProducerYou produce protective gear like jackets and gloves using technical textiles and armor padding.
- Motorcycle and Bicycle AssemblerInsurance for bicycle, motorcycle and powered-cycle assembly, brake or torque errors, test rides and actual fuel or battery-handling operations.
- Musical Instrument ManufacturerMusical instrument manufacturer insurance considers actual materials and finishing, build-stage versus customer restoration values, humidity causes, artist/show custody and player injury versus tone or finish disputes.
- Navigation Device ManufacturerYou build navigation hardware and the firmware or mapping software that powers it, often for maritime or aviation use.
- Needle and Pin ManufacturerYour manufacturing work involves wire drawing, cutting, pointing, grinding, heat treating, and plating to create precision parts with sharp ends.
- Newsprint FactoryYour mill operations depend on heavy machinery including continuous paper machines, steam boilers, and drying sections to produce reels of newsprint.
- Nonferrous Metal RefineryYour refinery processes metals through smelting, acid leaching, or electrolytic cells, creating potential hazards from molten baths, corrosive solutions, and high-energy equipment.
- Nonwoven Fabric ManufacturerYour manufacturing lines use methods like spunbonding, meltblowing, or thermal bonding to produce webs for filtration, hygiene, or medical uses.
- Office Furniture MakerYou produce furniture such as chairs and workstations using metal, wood, and electronic controls, where a chair tilt or lift mechanism defect could potentially injure a user.
- Office Supplies ManufacturerYour production includes injection molding, metal stamping, and assembly for items like pens, markers, and staplers.
- Ophthalmic Goods ManufacturerYou manufacture lenses, frames, or contact lenses using precision grinding and coating, often within controlled environments.
- Optical Media ProducerYou replicate discs using injection molding, vacuum metallizing, and UV curing, holding client masters that are essential to their release schedules.
- Outdoor Patio Furniture FactoryYou manufacture outdoor furniture using metal forming, powder coating, and cushion sewing, with seasonal production peaks based on summer demand.
- PCB Assembly ShopPCB assembly shop insurance considers actual build versus engineering duties, consigned boards and components, reflow/test dependencies, process chemicals and field injury versus resoldering or recall.
- Packaging Machinery FactoryYou design and assemble high-speed packaging machinery, managing mechanical fabrication and control-software integration.
- Packing and Sealing Device ManufacturerYou produce precision sealing devices meant to contain pressurized fluids in industrial systems.
- Paint and Coating FactoryInsurance for paint and coating manufacture, actual water or solvent carriers, customer surface damage, plant releases and mixing or filling machinery.
- Paper Bag and Sack ManufacturerYou operate high-speed converting lines to produce retail bags and heavy-duty multi-wall sacks.
- Paper Recycling CenterPaper recycling center insurance considers indoor and yard bale values, sorting/baler dependencies, truck versus yard-machine duties, worker and drop-off injuries, and releases versus rejected fiber.
- Peripheral Device ManufacturerYou design and assemble electronic accessories like mice, keyboards, and printers.
- Pesticide and Agrochemical ManufacturerYou formulate crop-protection products that are handled by growers and applicators.
- Pharmaceutical FactoryPharmaceutical factory insurance considers actual drugs and manufacturing roles, patient injury, batch and utility dependencies, held records and chemical duties versus quality holds, revalidation or withdrawal.
- Pillow and Cushion ProducerYou manufacture bedding and cushions by processing foam and fiberfill.
- Plastic Bottle ManufacturerYou produce containers using blow-molding processes, which involve high heat, pressure, and large inventories of combustible resin.
- Plastic Packaging PlantYour plant transforms film, resin and ink into packaging materials like pouches and shrink wrap.
- Plastic Pipe and Fitting ProducerReview pvc, hdpe and cpvc pipe by service and pressure rating, separating resulting building damage from defective pipe, removal, withdrawal, and delivery losses.
- Plywood and Veneer PlantYour plant peels logs and processes veneer into panels using heat and adhesives.
- Pottery and Ceramics WorkshopPottery and ceramics workshop insurance considers actual production and teaching, kiln and wheel failures, owned versus student ware, dust/glaze duties and food-use injury versus firing defects.
- Prefabricated Wood Component PlantYour facility fabricates trusses and panels, often involving load calculations and design work.
- Pulp MillYour mill relies on complex chemical and mechanical processes to convert raw wood fiber into market pulp.
- Quilting FactoryYour factory produces quilts and bedding, often tailored to specific buyer fire or labeling requirements.
- Railroad Rolling Stock ProducerYour facility manufactures heavy rail equipment, combining metal fabrication, welding and complex braking or coupling systems.
- Ready-Mix Concrete FacilityYour facility batches and delivers wet concrete to active jobsites.
- Ready-to-Assemble Furniture OperationYour operation produces flat-pack furniture, packaging panels and hardware kits for assembly by the customer.
- Rope and Twine FactoryYou manage the production of rope and twine, processing natural and synthetic fibers through heavy braiding, twisting and winding machinery.
- Rubber Gasket ProducerYou manufacture precision rubber seals and gaskets for industrial equipment, blending compounds and operating presses or die cutters.
- Rubber Hose and Belt FactoryYou operate a factory producing reinforced belts and industrial hoses for high-pressure or high-tension applications.
- Saddle and Tack ProducerYou craft equestrian gear like saddles and bridles, combining specialized stitching, riveting and leather tooling.
- Sawmills and Lumber ProductionSawmills and lumber production insurance considers log and lumber owners, outdoor stock, saw and loader duties, any drying stages, bottleneck repairs and grade promises versus injury claims.
- Scrap Metal Recycling PlantScrap metal recycling plant insurance considers accepted loads and buying records, shredder fires, public-yard and handler duties, stock and theft evidence, hauling and actual soil/runoff releases.
- Semiconductor Fabrication FacilityYou operate a fabrication facility using complex photolithography and chemical processes to produce silicon chips.
- Shelving and Partition ProducerYou fabricate and install industrial storage systems and office partitions, performing heavy metal forming and site-based construction.
- Shipbuilding YardYou build and outfit commercial or government vessels, working with steel, aluminum, and various propulsion systems.
- Sign ManufacturerYou design, fabricate and install illuminated signage, often working with electrical components and mounting systems at heights.
- Small Kitchen Appliance ManufacturerYou design and assemble appliances, creating products like toasters and blenders.
- Soap and Detergent ProducerYou blend ingredients to create soap, detergents, or chemical cleaners, and your high-speed packaging and heated processes require careful management.
- Space Vehicle ProducerYou design and manufacture high-value space hardware, such as rockets and orbital systems, which involves complex testing and integration.
- Specialty Coated Paper FacilityYou apply functional coatings like wax or silicone to paper, which involves heated ovens and high-speed web lines.
- Specialty Product ManufacturerYou produce custom or private-label goods that change based on client orders, which requires managing retooling, prototypes, and customer-supplied materials.
- Specialty Textile PrinterYou use various printing methods and chemicals to apply graphics to fabric, often handling customer-supplied garments and artwork.
- Sporting and Athletic Goods ManufacturerYou make equipment for sports and fitness, which involves molding, sewing, and assembly processes that can affect user safety.
- Sportswear and Activewear ProducerYou design and sew performance wear, often using technical fabrics that may have antimicrobial or wicking claims.
- Stationery MakerYou design and produce paper goods using presses, die-cutters, and specialty binding.
- Steel MillSteel mill insurance considers actual melting/casting/rolling stages, hot-end and crane dependencies, in-process steel values, worker and pollution duties, and resulting harm versus off-grade correction.
- Steel Pipe and Tube MillInsurance for steel pipe production, testing, delivery, and liability for product performance.
- Stone Cutting and Shaping YardInsurance for stone fabrication, delivery, installation, and worker safety.
- Structural Steel FabricatorInsurance for steel fabrication, project erection, transport, and performance bonding.
- Suede Processing PlantInsurance for suede processing, dust management, chemical use, and product liability.
- Surgical Appliance and Supply ManufacturerInsurance for medical appliance manufacturing, patient safety, sterilization, and cyber risks.
- Surgical and Medical Instrument ManufacturerInsurance for medical instrument manufacturing, clinical risks, sterilization, and data security.
- Swimwear ManufacturerInsurance for swimwear manufacturing, seasonal stock risks, transit and product liability.
- Switchgear and Circuit Breaker ManufacturerInsurance for electrical equipment manufacturing, testing, fault-interruption liability, and outage risks.
- Synthetic Resin and Polymer PlantInsurance for resin and polymer production, process fire risks, environmental liability, and downstream product claims.
- T-Shirt Production FacilityInsurance for apparel printing, equipment failure, chemical risks, and artwork liability.
- Tent and Tarpaulin MakerInsurance for event tents, canopies, and industrial tarps, covering property, liability, and machinery needs.
- Textile Dyeing FacilityInsurance for textile dye houses, covering chemical processing, equipment, and liability for customer goods.
- Textile Finishing MillInsurance for textile finishing, covering machinery breakdown, customer-owned goods, and facility liability.
- Thread and Cordage MakerThread and cordage maker insurance considers actual fiber and load-rated uses, twister/braider dependencies, owned and entrusted spools, worker duties and transit versus strength-test rejection.
- Tile and Terra Cotta ProducerInsurance for tile and terra cotta producers, covering kiln equipment, product liability, and environmental risks.
- Tire Production FacilityInsurance for tire production facilities, covering curing equipment, product liability and facility operations.
- Tire Retreading PlantInsurance questions for tire retreading plants handling customer casings, curing equipment and liability for retreads used by commercial fleets.
- Tissue and Towel Production MillInsurance for tissue and towel mills, covering machinery breakdown, stock and product liability.
- Tobacco Processing PlantInsurance for tobacco processing, covering plant machinery, seasonal leaf storage, and product liability.
- Tool and Die MakerInsurance for tool and die makers, covering design services, precision equipment, and customer-owned tooling.
- Towel and Bathrobe ProducerYour production of towels and bathrobes involves complex machinery and chemical processes, from weaving and bleaching to dyeing and finishing.
- Toy and Game ManufacturerYour manufacturing process for toys and games requires careful attention to material safety, small parts, and coatings.
- Transformer and Power Supply MakerYou wind copper, assemble electrical components and test transformers or power supplies, with heavy handling and insulating liquids involved in some processes.
- Turbine and Generator ProducerProducing large-scale turbines and generators involves precision machining and high-stakes testing.
- Uniform ManufacturerYou make uniforms to customers' specifications, sometimes for safety or institutional use.
- Upholstered Furniture FactoryUpholstered furniture factory insurance considers actual seating construction and materials, foam/fabric stock, mechanisms and consumer injury, production machinery and ownership through bulky-goods deliveries.
- Valve and Pipe Fitting ProducerYou make valves or fittings that customers rely on to contain pressure, heat or flowing materials.
- Wire Drawing FactoryWire drawing involves high-tension lines and chemical processes like pickling or plating that expose your workforce to significant injury risks.
- Wiring Device FactoryYou mold, stamp and assemble electrical wiring devices, then test them for their intended use.
- Wood Pallet and Crate FactoryYour factory uses saws, nailers, and forklifts to handle dimensional lumber, creating significant worker injury and fire risks.
- Wood Preservation ServiceEnvironmental, property, and liability protection for wood preservation services.
- Yarn Spinning MillProperty, equipment, and liability insurance for yarn spinning mills.
Risks across this group
Machinery breakdown
Sudden equipment failure can halt production and damage in-process goods.
Property and inventory loss
Fire, water, and other perils threaten plants, machinery, and stored inventory.
Workforce injuries
Machinery, materials handling, and repetitive tasks create significant injury exposure.
Supply-chain disruption
Interruptions to inputs or logistics can stall production and customer commitments.
Recall exposure
A defect can trigger costly product recall and withdrawal efforts.
Coverage worth discussing
Policies to ask about. Which ones fit depends on your operations, your contracts, and the carrier’s forms.
- Product Liability InsuranceMay address injury or property damage claims attributed to your manufactured goods; rework, warranty, and recall expenses require separate review.
- Commercial Property InsuranceMay protect plants, machinery, and stock; customer-owned property and specialized valuation should be reviewed separately.
- Equipment Breakdown InsuranceMay address sudden mechanical or electrical breakdown of equipment; income protection is limited to policy provisions and is not a maintenance contract.
- Workers Compensation InsuranceMay cover qualifying employee injuries, subject to state rules and specific manufacturing duties.
- Commercial Package PolicyCan combine selected coverage parts; the package name does not confirm product, recall, or breakdown coverage.
Situations to think through
These hypothetical examples are not agency claim results. Whether a loss is covered depends on the facts, policy terms, and applicable exclusions.
Hypothetical: Defective product injury
A finished product is alleged to have injured a consumer. Product liability may help respond to the claim and defense costs, subject to policy terms.
Hypothetical: Machine breakdown
A critical machine fails and halts a production line. Equipment breakdown coverage may help with repairs and resulting lost income, subject to terms.
Hypothetical: Plant fire
A fire damages equipment and inventory. Commercial property coverage may help with repair and replacement, subject to terms.
Before you talk to an agent
Questions to raise
- Separate harm caused by a product from rejected lots, failure to meet specifications, and the cost to replace the manufacturer's own goods. Product liability does not establish coverage for every quality dispute.
- List customer-owned tooling, dies, patterns, and work in process by owner and maximum value. Check property-in-custody terms rather than assuming these are ordinary company inventory.
- For a bottleneck machine, estimate replacement and restart time and review equipment breakdown plus any business-income extension. Wear, routine servicing, and a supplier delay alone are not automatically covered shutdowns.
- Review recall and withdrawal expenses separately from product liability. Describe end uses, exports, and any installation or completed work because they can change the coverage review.
Contract terms to check
- Bring supply and distributor agreements, customer specifications, installation obligations, and financed or leased equipment schedules. Review requested liability limits, additional-insured endorsements, recall requirements, and indemnities individually; a hold-harmless promise is not automatically backed by insurance. Check workforce obligations under the applicable state rules.
What the agent conversation looks like
Start with the work you do and the questions your current policies leave unanswered. Carrier options depend on your location, risk, and underwriting. Explore our approach.
- ListenReview your operations, current coverage, and past claims.
- AssessIdentify potential hazards and discuss ways to reduce risk.
- BuildDiscuss policy and carrier options, premium costs, and audits.
- SupportReview changes and help you plan ahead as your needs develop.
Questions owners ask
Is product liability separate from general liability?
Products-completed operations can be part of general liability, while some operations use specialized forms. Review the actual products, limits, and exclusions rather than rely on either label.
Does property insurance cover machinery breakdown?
Property and equipment breakdown address different causes of loss. Review covered sudden internal failures, deductibles and exclusions; breakdown is not a promise to pay for every failure or worn part.
Are product recall costs covered?
Recall and withdrawal expenses commonly need separate review from liability for injury or damage. Check the product, trigger, and expenses included in any recall form.
What does a customer additional-insured request mean?
Review the endorsement and the product-related liability it extends to that customer. The contract or certificate alone does not add coverage or insure every indemnity.
Can business interruption be included for manufacturers?
Income coverage may address a covered production interruption, subject to limits, waiting periods, and restoration terms. Match the time and values to the bottleneck equipment and operations.
Tell us what your manufacturing business does
Bring your questions, current policies, and relevant contracts. An agent can review coverage terms, exclusions, and the information carriers ask for, then explain the options available to you.