According to On the Tools “Van thefts have now reached epidemic proportions throughout the UK with more and more tradespeople losing out every day.”
The UK has seen a rapid increase in the number of tool and van thefts that are taking place, but despite this, seven out of ten tradesmen still regularly leave their tools in their vans according to research conducted by simply business.
It’s understandable that most tradespeople leave their tools and equipment in their vans, as a lot of the time you have no other place to store them. However, without tool protection, you are potentially putting yourselves at great financial risk. So, it’s important to ask yourself: if your tools were ever lost, damaged or stolen, what would be the impact to your business operations?
Here are our top tips to protect your tools:
- Remove your tools from your van whenever possible and especially overnight. Although, if you do leave your tools in your van, ensure that it is fully alarmed and consider installing a robust van vault
- Try and park in a busy area if you are leaving you van unattended with tools inside.
- Mark or engrave your tools with something as simple as your postcode or name; this will help deter thieves as it won’t as easy to sell on. It also helps identify you as the owner if you recover them.
- Ensure that you have tool insurance in place in case of a theft. FMB Insurance provides tool cover of up to £5,000 and can protect your tools against loss, damage and theft in a number of situations.These are all situations in which tools insurance could provide you with financial reimbursement to replace or repair your items, minimising possible interruption to your business.
To find out more call our dedicated team on 01353 652760 or email [email protected] and a member of the team will be happy to help you.