How to Prevent Tool Theft

Tool theft isn't a new problem, but it is a common one. Last year, around £40 million of tools were stolen throughout the UK.

If you're a tradesperson, you will rely on these tools for your living. So, keeping them safe should always be a top priority.

Whether you're a builder, plumber, electrician or gardener, your tools are an integral part of your business. And any loss will cost you both time and money.

Thankfully, tool theft prevention needn't be difficult, so in the following guide, we'll take you through the sensible steps you should be taking and discuss whether insurance is the best way to provide the safety net you need.

We'll also cover helpful topics such as van security, tool identification and what to look for in an insurance policy.

Let's get started below...

Ways to Stop Tool Theft in the UK

Although there is no guaranteed solution to completely prevent tool theft, there are some very practical ways to reduce the chance it will happen to you.

Improving your van and worksite security is the basic step you should be taking to look after your tools. So, let's look a little more closely at how to prevent tool theft.

Van Security Ideas

With over a quarter (27%) of van owners having had tools stolen from their vans, it's important to improve van security.

There are plenty of ways to stop thieves from taking tools from your work van.

The most obvious solution is to store your tools somewhere else, such as a secure lock-up or inside your home. Nearly 60% of van owners admitted they leave their tools in their van, so storing them elsewhere is definitely a good idea.

However, this isn't always possible, so you may need to consider other ways to prevent tool theft from your van.

Here are some van security ideas to keep your tools safe:

• Remove tools from your work van at night.
• Invest in better locks and alarms.
• Install lockable compartments inside your van.
• Fix a sign on your van's back and side doors - 'No tools left in this vehicle overnight' signs are easily available to buy.
• Park in busier places where possible, avoiding quiet streets and parking in view of CCTV cameras.
• While at home, try to park in sight of your windows rather than behind a fence so any potential thieves would be observed.
• Install a security bollard on your driveway or park with the rear/side doors against a wall to limit access.

The key element is to delay a thief long enough to increase the chances they'll get caught or simply give up and move on to easier targets. The more hurdles you can place in their way, the more this is likely to happen.

Improving Worksite Security

Your tools are also vulnerable to theft when they're on a worksite, so you should look at ways of protecting them there too.

Depending on your role, some of these might not be possible, but they are all tool security ideas to consider:

• Remove tools from the worksite at night.
• Erect sturdy site security fences with controlled access points.
• Use CCTV to monitor the site and install signs to notify the public that monitoring devices are being used.
• Don't leave your work van unlocked on a building site unless absolutely necessary.
• During the day, take staggered breaks to avoid leaving tools unattended.
• Ensure that you pack tools away overnight, even if they're left on-site.

Tool Theft Prevention

But what about the tools themselves?

Well, there are ways to make your equipment less attractive to thieves and make them more traceable if they're stolen:

• Etch your details onto tools or mark them with permanent paint to make it harder for thieves to sell the tools on.
• Take note of serial numbers and any distinguishing marks in case the tools are taken and you need to identify them later.
• Remove batteries from power tools when they're not in use and store them in different places.
• Store your tools indoors wherever possible, with secure homes and workplaces being the best options.

Other Ways to Prevent Tool Theft

With more and more smart devices and security systems available, there are plenty of other tool theft deterrents you can implement:

• Trackers
• Smart tags
• Modern alarm
• Monitoring systems

Many companies offer security services along with these gadgets, too. However, this option can be costly.

Types of Van Security Locks

The locks on your van are one of the best deterrents against tool theft, so it pays to make sure they're top-notch.

Common types of van security locks and protection include:

• Deadlocks - Manually operated locks that are separate from your van's electronic locking system.
• Slamlocks - These locks will automatically engage when the door is closed.
• Hook locks - A hook engages into a custom bracket that makes it harder to pull doors open.
• Armaplate - Extra shield protection to prevent drilling through locks.

All of these van security solutions have their benefits and drawbacks. Often, it's recommended to use a combination of lock types on different areas of your van as this can slow thieves down and perhaps put them off entirely.

Should Tradespeople Get Tool Insurance?

Tradesperson tool insurance is something that many workers consider for that extra peace of mind. But is it worth investing in a specific tool cover?

You might have existing insurance policies that cover your tools, and therefore, specific tool theft insurance may not be necessary. However, it can be a tricky decision to make. So, let's look at what to consider.

Does Tool Insurance Cover All Your Equipment?

Tools are expensive to replace, and insurance can help cover the costs. However, every policy has a limit to the amount it covers. So, if you have a lot of tools, they could be worth more than your policy allows.

To ensure you make the right decision, you should know the correct value of your tools. And remember, for every new tool you buy, you'll raise the value of your equipment. So, you'll need to make sure you can update your policy when necessary.

If you're hiring tools instead of buying them for some jobs, you should check that your tool insurance covers any hired tools or equipment that you use.

Plus, some insurance policies have a list of accepted tools, and that could mean hand tools or unusual tools for specific tasks aren't covered at all.

Make sure the most expensive and hard-to-replace tools you use will be insured before taking out any policies.

Some equipment you use might not be considered tradesperson tools by you or your insurance company, but it could be stored in your van and be too valuable to lose.

It's a good idea to consider a policy that covers both tools and equipment, such as electronic devices. It could be a more general business insurance policy that works for you.

Does it cover you and your employees?

If you employ other people – even if you have just one employee – you should make sure they're included on any policy you take out. If you can't find tool cover for multiple employees, it won't be worth the investment.

Do You Really Need Tool Insurance?

So, with all of these factors to consider, is it actually worth the hassle of taking out tool cover? Again, that's difficult to answer, as every business or tradesperson's situation is different.

So, let's look at the reasons why you might not take out tradesperson tool insurance.

Your existing insurance policies cover you. You may already have a combination of home, business or van insurance that covers your tools when you're working or storing them.

So, the extra cost of a specific tool insurance policy, which usually starts from £5 per month, may not be worth paying for.

Of course, the tools you use may belong to your employer. In this case, your employer should have them insured.

(However, it's worth checking with your employer what your responsibilities are towards keeping the tools safe and secure.)

Not every tradesperson uses a vast array of power tools for their work. For example, some niches or traditional crafts may only use specialist hand tools. So, general tool cover may not suit your needs or cover your type of tools.

You may have a specialist workshop you use that's already covered by building and contents insurance. And if you don't travel around for work, this could be all you need.

You may ask, do you actually need insurance for your tools? Couldn't you simply take the risk and save on annual renewal costs? Of course, this isn't something that anyone would recommend, and any loss of tools will be hard to pay to replace.

If you can't buy new tools, you can't work. Plus, your cash flow may be good now, but what if you go through a lean period and don't have the finances to replace your stolen tools?

Summary

There's no magic wand to stop tool theft from happening to you, but there are plenty of steps you can take to minimise the chances. Firstly, knowing that you've done all you can to prevent van tool theft and tool theft, in general, will give you peace of mind and satisfy your insurance providers.

Following the advice and tips we've shared with you will certainly help you protect your tools and select the right insurance policy.

FAQs