Tool insurance

Cover for your tools provides you with peace of mind and protection should they be stolen or damaged. With our tool insurance, you know you can replace your equipment quickly and efficiently and carry on with your contracts, ensuring you are not left out of pocket and the interruption to your business minimised. (Policy exclusions vary depending on the policy arranged).

This will depend on your trade, the type, value and amount of tools you use. Your cover should represent the total ‘replacement as new’ value of all your tools. Various limits are available to suit your business needs.

Check your policy carefully for the single article limit applicable, as this can vary between policies. Superior contracts give up to £1,500 any one item whereas a cheaper policy may have a much lower single tool limit. Make sure you let us know if you have larger equipment so that this can be specified in your policy cover.

The standard excess for our tool insurance is £100. This means that you are responsible for paying the first £100 of any claim for tools.

Yes, when left unattended, you need to ensure that your vehicle is fully secured, all doors and windows closed with all locks fully engaged. Where alarms are fitted, they must be set. Overnight, the van must be kept inside securely locked premises. (cover varies according to the policy selected).

No, your employees' tools are not, automatically covered, but can be added. Please talk to an adviser.

Our tool insurance policy is designed to cover tools owned by the legal entity shown as the policy holder (whether that is you as a sole trader, a partnership or a limited company). Tools that you supply to direct employees or temporary labour-only sub-contractors in connection with your business activities will be included.

Failure to exercise prudent proactive risk management will potentially increase the risks of injury to staff or members of the public, as well as the potential for damage to their property.

Firms that have arranged cover to include direct employees or engage temporary labour only sub-contractors must:

• Provide adequate supervision and training to staff – and maintain adequate records to evidence the safe and correct use of tools and equipment.

• Complete regular risk assessments of processes and equipment associated with all your business activities, implementing a safe way/system of work.

• Ensure that the tools you supply, are well maintained and remain in good condition free of defect. You can do this by maintaining an asset register and keeping records of your regular inspections.

• Immediately withdraw / remove any worn or broken tools from a worksite and dispose of them correctly/safely.

• Ensure portable electric tools are tested by competent persons in accordance with applicable legislation.

The above is not an exhaustive list and you should seek guidance from health and safety professionals for full guidance; read more on the Health and Safety Executive's website

JCT cover extensions are increasingly requested as a tradesman insurance policy requirement, but not always available as standard. Please ask us should you require this cover and we will source a policy suitable for you.

You need to consider:

• The location, value, type and occupancy of the premises that you work : If you undertake work on high-value buildings or those with high numbers of people i.e. as staff or members of the public will present higher risks.

• Buildings occupied by high-tech companies or production lines, high finance or banking present high-risk exposures

• The type of work and processes, for example do you work with gas blow torches, welding heat or flames?

• Does your main contractor or customer insist on minimum limits of indemnity contractually?

We will give prices on varying public liability indemnity limits to suit your circumstances, so you can make an informed decision.

To help you spread the cost of your premiums, you can choose to spread payment over ten months with our quick and easy Direct Debit scheme.