HUB International vs 
Markel Insurance: How Do They Compare for Equipment Breakdown Insurance?
What Is HUB International?
HUB suits technology businesses seeking a specialist broker—its practice says it insures more than 5,000 technology companies; qualifying small accounts can use Insureon online, while mid-market buyers need an advisor. 1,2,3
Read the HUB International profile
Read the HUB International Equipment Breakdown Insurance page
Markel Insurance: Specialty Business and Products
Markel Insurance is Markel Group's specialty and small-business insurance business, with offerings across packages, workers' compensation, cyber, professional and management liability, property, marine, and surety. Products use different insurers and distribution routes, so compare the issuer and terms shown on the specific quote. 5,6
What Is Equipment Breakdown Insurance?
Equipment-breakdown coverage can help repair covered machinery or building equipment after a mechanical or electrical failure. It fits businesses that depend on equipment to operate; check whether lost income, spoilage and utility failures are included. 8,9,10,11
Key Differences in Equipment Breakdown Insurance
Standalone Placement and Business Interruption
HUB says it brokers equipment breakdown as a monoline policy or within property coverage, with repair or replacement after sudden, unforeseen failure, resulting downtime losses and other property damage caused by malfunction. Its Extra Expense option helps pay costs to keep operating but does not cover lost income unless combined with business-income coverage. Markel describes equipment breakdown as an option in commercial property, without specifying limits, trigger or waiting period. Buyers should compare HUB’s listed operating-cost distinctions against the exact Markel property schedule. 4 7
Equipment Scope and Quote Route
HUB names equipment from boilers, generators and transformers to elevators, computers and security systems, and directs prospects to a broker rather than an online quote or bind flow. Markel’s reviewed claim places the option in its commercial-property product for a broad range of business risks but does not identify covered equipment. That leaves a practical schedule question for facilities with specialized machinery: list each critical asset and ask both channels how it is valued and whether breakdown protection is included. 4 4 7
What to Confirm in Equipment Breakdown Insurance Quotes
- Is HUB’s Extra Expense coverage separate from lost-income coverage, and what business-income option is needed? 4
- What equipment, breakdown triggers, waiting periods and sublimits are listed in Markel’s property schedule? 7
- Can each placement stand alone, or must it be part of a property policy, and which insurer issues it? 4 7
Review Scores
These averages can combine ratings for different products, locations, and customer groups, including approximate BBB grade conversions. Read each review for the sources, scope, and calculation.
HUB International
Review Score
2 rated sources
Customers who reviewed HUB on BBB rate it 1 out of 5, but that is only 7 reviews for a very large broker. BBB's own business grade is A-.[7][6]
Read HUB International reviewsMarkel Insurance
Review Score
2 rated sources
There is little public customer feedback on Markel. Trustpilot shows 2.5 out of 5 from just 5 reviews, and BBB lists 12 complaints closed in the last three years.[4][3]
Read Markel Insurance reviewsOffering Details
HUB International vs Markel Insurance: Equipment Breakdown Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | HUB International Boiler and Machinery (Equipment Breakdown) Insurance Brokerage | Markel equipment breakdown option |
|---|---|---|
| Role in This Line | HUB brokers boiler and machinery (equipment breakdown) insurance, available as a standalone monoline policy or embedded within a client's property policy, rather than underwriting the coverage itself. 4Company-reported. Boiler and machinery product page, read 2026-09-23. The page does not name an issuing insurer. | Markel says commercial property coverage can include equipment-breakdown protection. 7Company-reported. Optional property coverage description; no separate standalone policy established. |
| Issuing Insurer | No insurer is named for equipment breakdown coverage on the product page; the carrier depends on the placement. 4Not found in reviewed sources. Checked the boiler and machinery product page on 2026-09-23. | Confirm in your quote. |
| Who It’s For | HUB targets this coverage at manufacturing companies running equipment that must operate continuously, businesses that process goods using electrical, mechanical, heating or refrigeration equipment at scale, and small businesses protecting equipment such as air conditioners, computers, refrigerators and ovens. 4Company-reported. Product-page target-market description; not a published underwriting appetite. | The reviewed page places the option in its commercial-property offering for a broad range of business risks. 7Company-reported. Specific risk class and availability require underwriting. |
| Coverage Features | HUB says the coverage it arranges pays the costs to repair or replace equipment damaged by a sudden, unforeseen breakdown, losses from the resulting downtime, and other property damage caused by the malfunctioning equipment, and lists manufacturing equipment (boilers, generators, engines, HVAC systems, transformers) and office equipment (elevators, computers, copiers, security systems) as typical covered items. 4Company-reported. Product-page coverage description; the issued policy's definitions and exclusions control an actual claim. HUB describes three coverage options for equipment breakdown: basic, broad, and consequential-damage coverage for losses resulting from equipment failure, plus an Extra Expense component that covers costs to keep operating during a breakdown but excludes loss of income unless combined with business income coverage. 4Company-reported. Product-page coverage-tier description. | The source names equipment breakdown but does not state a limit, waiting period, trigger or exclusions. 7Company-reported. No policy terms inferred. |
| Limits and Retentions | Published policy limits or retentions for equipment breakdown coverage were not found on the product page. 4Not publicly disclosed. Checked the boiler and machinery product page on 2026-09-23; limits are set on the quote and declarations. | Confirm in your quote. |
| Risk Services | The boiler and machinery product page does not describe engineering inspections or other line-specific risk-control services. 4Not found in reviewed sources. Checked the boiler and machinery product page on 2026-09-23. | Confirm in your quote. |
| How to Apply | HUB directs prospects to "contact a HUB broker to get started" rather than an online quote or bind flow. 4Company-reported. Product-page call to action. | Confirm in your quote. |
Full Comparison
More HUB International vs Markel Insurance Comparisons
Other Equipment Breakdown Insurance Comparisons
Sources
HUB International
- About Us. HUB International; Opening description; 1998 formation of HUB International Limited; 2022 Insureon acquisition; headquarters and employee/office counts. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Contact Us. HUB International; Business Solutions paths for Commercial Insurance Solutions versus Small Commercial Insurance Solutions via Insureon; office search. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Insurance for Technology Companies. HUB International; Technology Company Insurance & Risk Management: startup, software, hardware and digital-media introduction; Business Coverage and People Protection lists; technology-client count. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Boiler and Machinery Equipment Insurance Coverage. HUB International; What is Boiler and Machinery Insurance?; What does Boiler and Machinery Insurance cover?; covered manufacturing and office equipment examples; basic, broad and consequential-damage coverage options; Extra Expense coverage description; Contact a HUB broker call to action. Accessed 2026-09-23.
Markel Insurance
- About us. Markel; Markel at a glance; description of Markel Insurance within Markel Group Inc. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; filed by Markel Group Inc.; Cover page; Part I, Item 1 Business—Markel Insurance, U.S. Wholesale and Specialty, Programs and Solutions; Part II, Item 7/8 for group and segment risks. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Small Business Casualty and Property Insurance. Markel; What we offer; product/liability, property, general casualty, inland marine, excess umbrella, liquor liability, hired/non-owned auto, employee benefits liability, E&O and equipment breakdown references. Accessed 2026-09-29.
Equipment Breakdown Insurance Guide
- Understanding Commercial Package Policies. Insurance Information Institute; Available CPP additions: Equipment breakdown. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Commercial Insurance Guide. California Department of Insurance; Boiler and Machinery; Commercial Property: Covered Causes of Loss; Commercial Property: Time Element; Inland Marine; Coverage Forms and/or Specialty Coverages. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Equipment Breakdown. Travelers; Definition and equipment list. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- HSB TechAdvantage Equipment Breakdown Coverage Form. The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company; G.1 Accident, PDF p.17; A.2.a–c p.1; C.2 pp.8–9; C pp.8–9; D pp.9–10; E.10 Valuation, PDF pp.13–14; G.10–11 pp.18–19; A.2.n p.5 (Off Premises Equipment Breakdown); A.2.p pp.5–6; A.2.r p.6; G.18 p.20 (Interruption of Service). Accessed 2026-09-16.
