Is Your Fire Apparatus Underinsured? Why Replacement Cost Matters More Than Purchase Price
- Mar 5
- 1 min read
In today’s rapidly evolving emergency services landscape, one critical oversight continues to put departments at financial risk: underinsuring fire apparatus.
Whether it’s an engine, ladder truck, rescue unit, or tanker, many agencies are still insuring their vehicles based on purchase price rather than current replacement cost — a potentially devastating mistake in the event of a total loss.
Fire apparatuses are specialized, high-value vehicles that don’t depreciate like standard consumer vehicles. In fact, with rising material and labor costs, longer lead times, and limited manufacturers, the cost to replace an apparatus today often exceeds its original purchase price — sometimes significantly. Yet too often, insurance coverage doesn’t reflect this reality.
The Problem with Insuring Based on Purchase Price
Let’s say your department purchased a custom pumper in 2017 for $650,000. You.....
RAY SAJDAK is a lieutenant (ret.) with the Bristol (CT) Fire Department, where he served on its apparatus replacement committee. His career in the fire service also includes 20 years as the chairman of the apparatus committee for the Portland (CT) Volunteer Fire Department. He is a managing partner with Fire Apparatus Consultants, LLC.
SCOTT POULTON is a firefighter and apparatus operator for the Bristol (CT) Fire Department, where he serves on the department’s apparatus replacement committee. His career in the fire service also includes 37 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Terryville (CT) Volunteer Fire Department, where he cochairs the department’s apparatus replacement committee. He is a managing partner with Fire Apparatus Consultants, LLC.
