Compare Tool Insurance Quotes

Tool cover is a type of business insurance which financially compensates you if your tools are stolen or damaged.

It can be useful for anyone who uses expensive tools at work, including:

plumbers
electricians
carpenters
tradespeople

Most tool insurance policies come with overnight cover – meaning your tools are protected 24/7, whether they’re at home, at your business address, or in your locked vehicle. For example, it would cover you if thieves broke into your van during a job.

You can pay for add-ons such as:

cover for very expensive tools
breakdown cover
cover for a business laptop or tablet.

Common policy exclusions include:

leaving storage or your vehicle unsecured
theft without visible signs of forced entry
your own personal belongings (i.e. your personal smartphone or cash).

As a tradesperson, your tools are essential to your livelihood—without them, work grinds to a halt. But the risk of tool theft, damage or loss is real and growing: the Metropolitan police reported a 5% increase in tool thefts between 2022-3.

The right tool insurance can protect you and your business from:

Cost of replacing tools
Time and effort spent dealing with business disruption
Lost business because you can't carry out work

Additional benefits of tool insurance

Cover for tools while in transit, so you're protected even when moving between job sites
Cover for the cost cost of temporary hire equipment, allowing you to keep working without major delays if your tools are lost or stolen
Legal support, helping with disputes or claims that may arise in the course of your work

^{Not all tool insurance will offer the above. Always check your policy documents.}

Clients prefer insured tradespeople

Insurance also adds an extra layer of professionalism to your business.

Clients are more likely to trust and hire tradespeople who are properly insured, seeing it as a sign that you take your work seriously.

How many tools are stolen each year?

44,514 tool thefts

Data from Met Police, 2023.

What’s included
Theft and/or loss Your tools will be covered - up to a certain financial limit - if they get stolen or lost
Tools kept in a van e.g. you left a drill in a van overnight, and it was stolen
Deliberate vandalism or burglary Tools damaged or destroyed by criminal activity can be replaced or repaired
Natural disasters Your tools will be covered for any damage caused by natural disasters such as fire, floods or storms
Accidental damage You are protected for any accidental damage as long as it isn't considered negligence
Hired in-plant cover Tools or machinery that you buy on hire-purchase can also be protected
Toolbox insurance In addition to the tools inside, you can also get cover for the toolbox itself
European Union cover Your policy can also provide cover for your tools if you are required to travel to Europe

What’s not included
Wear and tear Any standard wear and tear that happens naturally to your tools over time isn't included in your policy
Deliberate damage You're not covered if you or your staff cause any intentional damage to your tools
Faulty tools If there's a fault with any of your tools or equipment, this should be covered by the warranty, not your insurance
Unsecured property You won’t be covered for theft or damage if your vehicle or storage is unsecured
Personal belongings Money, cards, and personal gadgets won’t be covered. I.e. if your smartphone was stolen from your van along with your tools

Compare quotes

Comparing at prices and policies from different insurers will help you find the best deal for your specific needs.
MoneySuperMarket can do the hard work for you, showing you mutliple quotes in minutes.
Choose cover

Decide how much cover you need based on the total value of your tools.
You can often add extras like cover for tools in transit or overnight storage.
Note excess

This is the amount you’ll need to pay out of your own pocket if you make a claim.
For example, if your excess is £200 and you make a claim for £1,000, the insurer will pay £800.
Buy policy

Once you’ve chosen the right cover, complete the purchase.
Keep your documents safe and note any conditions, like how tools must be stored.

The tools you need to insure

The value of your tools will directly affect the cost of your policy.

With MoneySuperMarket, you can insure up to £20,000 worth of tools.

Excess you choose to pay

By increasing your voluntary excess, you can reduce the cost of your insurance premium.

A low excess will make insurance more expensive

Where you keep your tools overnight

Your insurance will be cheaper if you store your tools in a safe place when you're not using them.

Type of work you do

Your occupation and the type of work you do can affect the risk of your tools being damaged, lost, or stolen, and so will affect your insurance premium.

What's the cheapest price I could pay for tool insurance?

£4

.50 ^ a month

Based on prices MoneySuperMarket customers taking out a business insurance policy that includes tool cover.

See my prices

Compare quotes

Shop around and compare different levels of tool cover to find an affordable option for your business.

Bundle your insurance

Combining your tool insurance with business insurance or van insurance may result in cheaper premiums.

Select a higher voluntary excess

The higher the excess you choose to pay, the lower your premiums will be. Just make sure you can afford it, in case you need to make a claim.

Choose the right level of cover

Over-insuring your tools will cost you more, so double check the real value of them in order to get the appropriate level of cover.

Check what's covered by your other insurance policies

If you already have other types of business insurance, see if any of them already cover your tools. For example, a business van insurance could cover equipment left inside the vehicle.

If tools aren't explicitly covered, it may be cheaper to upgrade an existing policy to include tool insurance rather than taking out a separate policy.

Review regularly

Make sure you review both the value of your tools and your policy costs every year when your insurance is up for renewal.

Store tools securely

Keep tools locked up inside your home or garage overnight.
Install security

Additional security measures like window grills and CCTV systems can deter thieves.
Invest in a GPS tracker

Trackers can be attached to high-value items, so you can see its location in real-time using an app.
Buy smart locks

Use apps, codes, or biometrics. Some send alerts when tampered with and can lock remotely.
Mark your tools

Marking tools with invisible/UV ink will increase the chances of getting them back if they are stolen.
Register your tools

Register your tools’ serial numbers on an online database to track lost or stolen tools.
Secure your van

Ensure it has an alarm and is securely parked, preferably with rear doors against a wall.
Be vigilant

Never leave your tools unattended and check them regularly.

Our expert says…

78% of tradespeople have experience tool theft, according to the Tradespeople Against Tool Theft report. For some professions it is a regular occurrence: 3 in 10 carpenters have had their tools stolen four or more times.
The vast majority (83%) of these victims did not have tool insurance in place, leaving most of them having to stump up thousands of pounds for replacements themselves.
With tool insurance starting from just £4.50 ^{^} a month, taking out a policy could save you a fortune should criminals target your van when you're next out on a job.

Jake Edmonds Travel & Commercial Insurance Expert

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Compare business insurance

Public liability

Public liability insurance protects you if your work harms members of the public.
Employers' liability

Employers’ liability insurance protects you if your staff become ill or injured at work.
Professional indemnity

Professional indemnity insurance protects you if you are accused of negligence.
Business buildings

Commercial building insurance protects offices and workplace buildings.
Business interruption

Business interruption insurance protects against disruption from events like fires.
Commercial van

Business van insurance protects your work vehicle and its contents.
Stock insurance

Stock insurance protects you if your items are lost, stolen, or damaged.
Cyber cover

Cyber insurance protects against losses from scams and ransomware attacks. 
Personal accident insurance

Personal accident insurance protects you if you're injured.

More business guides

Is tool insurance worth it?

Yes, tool insurance is definitely worth it when you consider the bigger picture. Replacing stolen or damaged tools out of pocket can be expensive, but the real cost goes beyond the tools themselves.

If you can’t complete a job on time because you don’t have the right equipment, you risk losing income, delaying future work, and damaging your reputation with clients.

Can I insure all of my tools?

Yes, you can usually insure all your tools, but it’s important to understand the limits and conditions of your policy. Insurers typically set an overall cover limit (the maximum they’ll pay out in total) as well as individual category limits for certain types of tools, like power tools, hand tools, or specialist equipment.

You may have to list some items separately if they’re high value, and there may be exclusions for older tools or those not stored securely.

Are my tools insured in my vehicle?

Your tools are not automatically insured just because they’re in your van – standard van insurance doesn’t cover the contents, including tools.

To protect them properly, you’ll need separate tool insurance that specifically includes cover for tools in vehicles.

Even then, there are often restrictions: insurers may require you to have specific security measures in place, such as an alarm or reinforced locks. Overnight cover is another common limitation – many policies exclude theft from vehicles during certain hours unless the van is in a secure location.

Always read the terms carefully to make sure your tools are protected whenever and wherever you need them to be.

Can I add tool insurance to my existing policy?

Some types of business insurance, such as business contents insurance or public liability insurance, will let you include tool insurance as an add-on. It can be more convenient and save you money, so check your existing policy.

What is tools in transit insurance?

Tools in transit insurance is a type of cover that protects your tools and equipment while they’re being transported – usually in your vehicle – from one location to another.

This means if your tools are stolen from your van, damaged in an accident, or lost during a delivery or move between job sites, the policy can help cover the cost of repair or replacement. It’s especially important for tradespeople as most thefts are from vans.

Keep in mind, most policies will have conditions, such as requiring locked vehicles, proof of forced entry, or limiting cover during overnight hours unless the vehicle is in a secure location. Tools in transit insurance is often available as an add-on to standard tool insurance or van insurance.

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Tool insurance