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Tradesman Insurance: Protecting Your Work Tools and Equipment

Damage, loss, destruction, theft... these are not the words you want to hear when talking about your work tools. Whether you're a carpenter, builder, painter and decorator, electrician, plumber, gardener, plasterer, bricklayer or cleaner your tools are your livelihood and keeping them secure should be a top priority. We've put together some tips which we hope will go some way to helping you keep your work tools safe and secure.

Top tips

Remove tools and equipment from vehicles overnight.
Use busy, well-lit and secure parking areas.
Lock your vehicle.
Fit a good alarm and warning sticker to your vehicle.
Do not leave items on display.
Protectively mark your equipment.
Keep an inventory of your tools and other equipment.
Fit and maintain security systems to storage buildings, e.g. lights, alarms, locks, entry systems, CCTV.
Shred sensitive information belonging to you or your customers when you no longer need it.
If you're doing admin (e.g. invoices, quotes, etc.) from home on a computer then make sure that all your documents are backed up and your IT equipment is protected from viruses.

Tool and equipment insurance

Without your tools your business could be majorly disrupted so it's important that you take out adequate tradesman insurance cover for your work tools and equipment. When deciding which policy to buy, ask yourself the following questions.

What's included in the policy and what's expected from you? For example, if tools are left on site what are the minimum security requirements? Will equipment stolen from a parked or in transit vehicle be covered?
What's the value of your work tools and equipment? It's important that you don't underestimate this as it may leave you out of pocket when you need to replace items.

Your work tools and equipment are your business. Without them you wouldn't be able to do your job. Taking steps to minimise loss, theft, damage and destruction and ensuring that you have adequate tradesman insurance in place should go some way to reducing business disruption.