The Risks of Leaving Tools in Vehicles Overnight

For tradespeople, tools are more than just equipment: they’re the foundation of their everyday livelihood but, unfortunately, leaving them in your vehicle overnight exposes them to serious risk, with tool theft on the rise across the UK. There were 44,514 incidents reported in 2023 - the equivalent of one theft every 12 minutes - and London has been particularly hard-hit, with a 60% increase in van thefts over the past three years, resulting in an estimated £14.3 million in losses.

An overnight impact

The financial and professional impact of tool theft can be devastating. On average, tradespeople lose £1,836 per incident, not just from replacing tools but also from cancelled jobs and lost income. Collectively, this cost the industry £82 million in 2023 and, to make matters worse, only 1% of stolen tools are ever recovered, leaving many tradespeople unable to continue working and risking damage to their reputations.

Tools to protect

So, how can you protect your tools and your business? The most effective step is to remove tools from your vehicle overnight and store them in a secure location. If this isn’t possible, invest in additional security measures such as heavy-duty locks, alarms and immobilisers. Marking and registering your tools can also act as a deterrent and improve the chances of recovery if they’re stolen.

The right policy

While insurance can provide a safety net, it often comes with conditions that limit coverage. Many policies require tools to be stored in locked compartments, or exclude theft from vehicles left overnight. Even when claims are successful, they often carry higher excess charges, leaving tradespeople out of pocket. These limitations make it crucial to understand your policy and ensure you have the right cover in place.

How we can help

At Ascend Broking Group, we specialise in helping tradespeople protect their tools and livelihoods. Our tailored insurance policies can cover overnight theft when appropriate security measures are in place, ensuring you’re not left in the lurch. In addition to providing specialist tool insurance, we also offer risk management advice to help reduce the likelihood of theft and provide fast, efficient claims handling to get you back to work as quickly as possible.

  We also understand that every business is different, which is why we offer a free insurance health check. This service reviews your current policies, identifies gaps in coverage and ensures you have the protection you need to keep your business running smoothly.

  Tool theft is a growing problem, but with the right precautions and support, you can reduce the risk and protect your livelihood. Don’t leave it to chance - contact Ascend Broking Group to learn more about how we can help you safeguard your tools and your future.

  Call 01245 449060 or email info@ascendbroking.co.uk today.  

Contact us today to explore how we can help protect your business on 01245 449060 or email info@ascendbroking.co.uk.