Does my van insurance cover tools?

If you transport tools as part of your job, you’ll want to be covered if they’re stolen or damaged. Here’s everything you need to know about insuring your tools.

Daniel Hutson

Motor insurance expert

minute read

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Posted 4 OCTOBER 2019

So how do I make sure my tools are insured?

The good news is that you can protect your tools (and other contents) either as an add-on to your van insurance, or as a separate policy. This will protect you not only if they’re stolen, but also if they’re damaged in an accident. But not all tool insurance is the same, so check your policy.

Be aware that many policies won’t cover your tools if they’re left in the van overnight. You may find it’s not practical to unload and lock up your tools every night, in which case you’ll need to make sure your policy includes overnight cover. That way you’ll be covered not just if your tools are left in the van overnight, but also if the van is parked outside a locked garage or car park.

Even with this level of cover, insurance providers will expect you to comply with certain security measures, such as locking all windows and doors, never leaving your keys in the van, and having a working alarm.

Should I consider separate insurance for my tools?

Definitely. Your tools are likely to be crucial to your work. If they’re stolen or damaged, it’s going to be more than an inconvenience. You might not be able to carry out your job.

It’s also worth knowing that van thefts have risen dramatically. The statistics are shocking – according to the BBC, thieves break into vans and take tools every 23 minutes.

Are there any other ways to insure my tools?

There are other ways to insure your tools outside of your van insurance policy. You might well find tool cover is an optional extra on other types of policy, such as:

public liability insurance – this can also cover your tools against damage and theft. But the advantage of public liability insurance is that it may also cover you for damage caused by you or another employee
tradesman insurance – specialist tradesman insurance cover can be tailored to cover public liability, professional indemnity, and buildings cover, as well as protecting your tools, equipment and stock

Is there anything else I need to consider?

Insuring your tools and equipment is probably essential, but there are a few ways to do it – extending your van cover is just one of them. Here are some factors to consider:

all businesses are different, so will need different levels of cover. Carefully read your policy terms to make sure you have adequate cover
talk through your policy with your insurance provider. That way you can make sure you’re properly covered and are aware of any exemptions
insurance is a competitive business. Don’t jump at the first quote you receive – shop around. As a business, you may get a better deal by buying more than one policy at once