Are my tools covered by my van insurance?

A van policy covers the van itself and your legal liability when driving it. The things you carry are a separate risk, and tools are an attractive target for thieves because they're valuable and easy to sell on. For that reason, many standard van policies exclude tools altogether or include only a small amount of cover.

Don't assume a comprehensive van policy includes tools. Check the policy summary or wording for a section on tools, goods or contents, and the limit that applies.

Tradespeople usually cover their tools in one of these ways:

• A tools add-on to your van policy, which keeps everything with one insurer but may have a fairly low limit
• A standalone tools insurance policy, which can cover tools in the van, on site and sometimes at home
• Tools cover as part of a wider tradesperson or business insurance policy, often alongside public liability cover

Tools cover nearly always comes with conditions, and a claim can be refused if they aren't met. Read the policy wording carefully for terms such as:

• Overnight exclusions: tools left in the van between set hours, often overnight, may not be covered unless the van is in a locked garage or secure compound
• Locked and secure: the van must be locked with all windows closed, and the keys kept away from the vehicle
• Forced entry: theft claims often require visible signs of forced and violent entry
• Out of sight: some policies require tools to be kept out of view or in a lockable box or vault fixed to the van
• Approved security: certain locks, alarms or immobilisers may be a condition of cover
• Single-item limits: expensive items may need to be listed individually

Add up the cost of replacing all your tools at today's prices, including power tools, hand tools, batteries and specialist equipment. If the total is higher than the limit on your policy, you may be under-insured, and a claim could be reduced.

Check whether the policy replaces tools on a new-for-old basis or pays their current value after wear and tear, as this can make a big difference to a payout. Keeping receipts, photos and serial numbers, and marking tools with a postcode or business name, can make a claim simpler and help police return recovered items.

Home contents insurance may cover some tools kept in your house or shed, but many policies exclude equipment used for business, so check before relying on it. If you carry tools for paid work, your van should also be insured for the right class of use, usually carriage of own goods.

If you carry other people's goods or equipment for payment, those items aren't your tools, and goods in transit cover is the relevant policy rather than tools insurance.