Key facts:
- Program covers owned, rented, and borrowed contractor equipment
- Covered equipment includes cranes, riggers, concrete pumpers, and millwrights
- Coverage is written by specialists with 50 years of combined inland marine experience
- Distributed through Amwins brokers and retail partners
- Offers admitted and non-admitted solutions backed by Sentry's A+ rated paper
- Complements APU's existing crane & rigging general liability program
The program provides coverage for equipment central to contractor operations. In addition to cranes, riggers, concrete pumpers, and millwrights, protection extends to owned, rented, and borrowed equipment. Specialists with 50 years of combined inland marine experience will write coverage.
The program is distributed through Amwins brokers and retail partners and adds to APU's broader suite of construction-related offerings. It provides admitted and non-admitted solutions, backed by Sentry's A+ rating.
Heather Frain, senior vice president and head of inland marine at APU, said the program addresses a clear need. "Contractors rely on their equipment to keep business moving, and when that equipment is at risk, so is their bottom line," she said. "This new offering positions us right at the intersection between efficiency and expertise, allowing us to identify gaps in coverage and quickly solve our clients' needs."
Jon Beckham, president of APU, said the partnership brings together underwriting discipline and carrier access. "We're combining underwriting discipline with access to top-rated carriers like Sentry to bring smarter solutions to market and deliver the coverage contractors truly need," he said.
Heather Schenker, head of specialty insurance at Sentry, said the relationship reflects shared priorities. "This relationship aligns with our values of integrity, strength, and service and reflects our shared commitment to helping businesses protect their assets, reduce downtime, and get back to work quickly when the unexpected happens," she said.
For more information, visit Amwins Program Underwriters’ Inland Marine Contractors Equipment Program.
About Amwins Program Underwriters
Amwins Program Underwriters (APU) is an in-house managing general agent (MGA) within Amwins, providing brokers with exclusive access to a comprehensive portfolio of specialty programs. Backed by the resources and market relationships of one of the largest wholesale distributors in the U.S., APU delivers competitive rates, superior service, and deep underwriting expertise across a range of specialty lines—including professional liability, casualty, and property programs.
About Amwins
Amwins is the largest independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products in the U.S., dedicated to serving retail insurance agents by providing property and casualty products, specialty group benefits, and administrative services. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company operates through more than 138 offices globally and handles premium placements in excess of $50 billion annually. For more information, visit amwins.com.
About Sentry
Sentry Insurance is one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance groups in the United States, holding a Financial Strength Rating of A+ (superior) from AM Best, current as of June 2025, and maintain a Financial Size Category of XV – the largest category AM Best makes available. See ambest.com/ratings/guide.pdf for rating information. Beyond its core offerings of property and casualty insurance, life insurance, annuities, and retirement programs for businesses and individuals, Sentry has expanded its expertise into the specialty insurance market with Sentry Specialty. The division writes both non-admitted business through Point Excess and Surplus Insurance Company and admitted business through Point Specialty Insurance Company. Headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Sentry employs over 5,000 associates across the country. See a complete list of underwriting companies at sentry.com.
Get the latest insurance market updates and discover exclusive program opportunities at ProgramBusiness.com.