For tradespeople, your tools are your livelihood. Whether it is a van full of power tools or specialised plant machinery, losing your kit to theft or damage can bring your business to a standstill. That is where the One Insurance Limited “Tools in Transit” policy steps in.

Here is a simplified breakdown of how this policy protects your work equipment and the important details you should know before you load up for your next job.

What is Covered?

This policy is designed to protect the tools you own for your business (including hand tools, power tools, machinery, and even spare parts) while they are being transported or temporarily stored in your vehicle.

• Damage Protection: You are covered if your tools are damaged during a road traffic accident, while you are loading or unloading them, or as a result of fire or vandalism.
• Theft Protection: The policy covers you if your tools are stolen or if someone attempts to steal them from your vehicle.
• Repair or Replace: If a claim is successful, the insurer will either pay for the repairs or, if the tools are beyond repair, replace them with new items of the same style.

Important Details to Keep in Mind

While this policy offers a strong safety net, there are specific requirements and exclusions to be aware of:

• Proof of Purchase: You may be asked to provide proof of purchase or receipts for any items that you claim for.
• Overnight Parking Rules: Between 10 pm and 6 am, your vehicle must be parked in a locked garage, behind a locked gate, or on your off-road driveway. If these aren’t available, it must be in a well-lit area clearly visible from where you are staying. If you cannot meet these conditions, you are required to remove the tools from the vehicle.
• Not for Personal Items: This cover is strictly for work tools. It does not cover “personal belongings” like mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, or cash.
• Work Usage: You are not covered if you are using your vehicle for courier or messenger services, or for hire and reward.
• Secure Storage: Claims for theft will likely not be covered if the vehicle was left unlocked or if the tools were not stored securely while the vehicle was unattended.
• Wear and Tear: Gradual damage, such as rust, rot, or general wear and tear, is excluded.
• 48-Hour Limit: Theft is not covered if the vehicle is left unattended away from your home for more than 48 hours.

Policy in Action

Imagine you are a self-employed carpenter heading to a job site. While stopped at a red light, another driver accidentally rear-ends your van. Thankfully, you are fine, but the impact causes your heavy-duty table saw to shift, crashing into your drill sets and causing significant damage to your equipment.

Without cover, you would be facing a bill for hundreds of pounds to replace your kit before you could finish the job. However, because your tools were damaged in a road traffic accident, your Tools in Transit policy covers the cost to repair or replace the damaged items up to your policy limit, allowing you to get back to work without a major financial hit.

Your tools are the heart of your business, and making sure they are protected shouldn’t be an afterthought. If you would like to ensure your equipment has the right level of cover for your next project, feel free to speak with your insurance broker whenever you are ready to discuss your options.

What to Do if You Need to Claim

If your tools are stolen or vandalised, you must notify the police immediately and get a crime reference number. For all claims, call One Call Claims at 0203 738 7300 as soon as possible. Be sure to keep your receipts or proof of purchase, as One Call Claims may ask for these to validate your claim.