In the UK, tool theft is a major source of anxiety for tradespeople. In fact, according to the National Federation of Master Builders, 51% of UK builders have had their tools stolen before. Of course, we hope that your tools don’t get stolen. But if they do, your inventory can help with any insurance claims and police statements. Just make sure to keep it up to date each time you invest in a new tool or add to your collection. Although it’s never impossible to guarantee you won’t be a victim of tool theft, there are some steps you can put in place to make it less likely. Not only are tools costly to replace. Stolen tools can also reduce your earnings by causing days or even weeks of lost work! No matter how careful you are, you can never completely rule out the possibility of falling victim to tool theft. Tool theft insurance is the best way of making sure that if the worst happens, your business won’t find itself struggling financially.

Aside from this, it’s a good idea to park in a busy area, or one with good lighting and CCTV, as this will be a big deterrent to criminals. We understand that you have a lot of tools and that it’s often not possible to store them anywhere other than in your van. However, where you can, it’s wise to take as many tools as possible out of your vehicle at night. As a result, the UK government has passed the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023. The new law gives more power to the home office to prevent the theft and re-sale of equipment and tools used by tradespeople. Martin Lewis: Do you have a Power of Attorney? It’s crucial protection – not just for the elderly – and more important than a will Our article on how van storage systems and organisation can keep your tools safe covers all the essential information you’ll need.By marking your tools in a bright colour or with your company details, you’ll reduce the possibility of resale, making your tools less sought-after by criminals. Not only that, but if the worst happens and you do fall victim to tool theft, your tools will be much easier to identify if found.

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