Tools cover is the section tradespeople claim on most and read least. The peril is almost always theft from a vehicle, and whether the claim pays turns on a clause about where the van was and what time it was, rather than on how the thief got in.
The overnight clause, in its three common forms
Almost every tools wording says something about vehicles left unattended overnight, and the three common versions behave very differently. Some exclude theft from a vehicle between stated hours altogether. Some cover it only where the vehicle was locked, alarmed and immobilised. Some require the tools to be removed from the vehicle overnight unless it is in a locked garage or secure compound. Which of the three your policy uses is the single most important fact about it, and it is usually one sentence long.
Forced entry, and what counts as it
Beyond the overnight question, most policies require visible evidence of forced or violent entry. A van opened with a relay attack on a keyless system, or one where a lock was picked without leaving marks, can fall outside that requirement even though the theft plainly happened. Insurers have been adjusting to keyless theft, and the wordings differ, so a tradesperson with a modern van should read what their policy says about entry without visible damage.
Setting the sum insured, and the trap in it
Tools sums insured are usually a total figure with a single item limit inside it. Two things go wrong. The total drifts below the real value as kit accumulates, and the condition of average then cuts every claim proportionally. And a single expensive item, a laser level, a core drill, a set of calibrated instruments, sits above the single item limit and is paid down to it. An inventory with prices, updated annually, fixes both and takes an hour.
Hired, leased and other people's tools
Tools you hire are usually the hire company's property and your contractual responsibility, which is a hired in plant question rather than a tools one. Tools belonging to an employee and used at work may not be covered by either your policy or their household one. And tools left at a site rather than in a vehicle are a different exposure again, often needing a site or contract works extension. Each of these is a gap that only appears after something is taken.
Questions people ask about tool insurance
Are tools covered if stolen from my van at night?
It depends entirely on the overnight clause. Some policies exclude it, some require the vehicle locked and alarmed, and some require the tools removed unless the van is in a secure compound.
Does tools cover pay new for old?
Some policies do and some settle on an indemnity basis after depreciation. On a well used kit the difference is large, so check which basis applies.
Are hired tools covered?
Not usually under tools cover. A hire agreement makes you responsible for the item, which is a hired in plant exposure with its own section.