Employers’ liability insurance
If you have any employees, this is a legal requirement – it makes sure you’re protected if anyone who works for you becomes ill or is injured
Get a £20 Amazon.co.uk gift card with tool insurance1
1Eligible commercial businesses purchasing tool insurance by 5th Oct and continuing with an active tools insurance policy paid for at least 45 days from the policy start date.T&Cs apply. Restrictions apply, see 'http://www.amazon.co.uk/gc-legal'
Tool insurance, also known as tool cover, is insurance to protect the tools of your trade. If you’re a tradesman, you rely on your tools to get the job done – and chances are you’ve invested a lot of money in making sure you have the right kit. Tool insurance helps keep that investment safe. If your tools are lost or damaged, it’ll pay out to help you replace them.
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 van. This also includes tools in transit, so you’ll stay protected wherever you go.
Tool insurance will cover your tools against many different risks – but some things aren’t included. Here’s what’s on offer:
Theft and/or loss
Tools kept in a van overnight (no matter where the van is kept)
Natural disasters like fire, flooding, or storms
Deliberate vandalism or burglary
Accidental damage – as long as it isn’t considered negligence
Ordinary wear and tear to your tools isn’t included
You’re not covered if you or your staff cause deliberate damage
If there’s a fault with your tool, it should be covered by the warranty – not
Tool insurance works by protecting the tools you use up to a certain amount. If your tools would cost £5,000 to replace, you can take out £5,000 of insurance. You can choose how much cover you need – it depends on how much you’ve invested in your tools, and how much of a risk you face if something going wrong.
It’s important to double-check your policy documents so you know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t. Some policies might not cover tools overnight or in transit. Others might only cover your own tools, and not those you’ve rented.
No fees are charged to make changes to your policy, even if you need to cancel. Policies are made straightforward with a flat excess of £200 for all claims
Getting protection for your tools is crucial, but there are other types of insurance you might also need. Here’s what’s available:
If you have any employees, this is a legal requirement – it makes sure you’re protected if anyone who works for you becomes ill or is injured
With public liability, you’re protected if there’s an accident and a passer-by is hurt – for instance, from falling building materials
Professional indemnity insurance helps you out if you damage a client’s property or they’re unhappy with your work, and take you to court
If you have a brick and mortar business premises, this keeps you protected against damage from fire, flooding, storms, or vandalism
"Theft of tools can be a huge problem for sole traders, so tool insurance can be a really good way to lessen the financial impact if you should get unlucky. Carefully work out the value of your tools, as that will determine the level of cover you buy. Overestimate the value, and you could end up paying too much for your premium but underestimate and you could be left with a shortfall if you make a claim.
"
Getting tool insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket and our preferred partner SimplyBusiness is a simple way to find an affordable deal on cover. Here's how it works:
Let us know about your tools and how much they’re worth, and we'll provide a quote tailored to your requirements
Check the policy offer meets the demands and needs of your business and read the policy documents
Once you're happy with your policy offer, simply click through to complete your purchase.
If your business relies on your tools, it’s worth thinking about taking out a tool insurance policy. Try to add up the value of all the tools you own – consider how much it would cost to replace them, not how much you paid for them originally. If it would be difficult for you to replace your tools, tool insurance might be the smart choice.
You can usually insure any tools up to £10,000. That includes handheld tools, power tools, and plant equipment. Some insurers might exclude some specialised tools, so it’s worth checking your policy document carefully.
If you have van insurance, there’s a chance your tools are already covered while they’re in your vehicle. If not, look for a tool insurance policy with overnight cover and tools in transit cover – this means that they’re always protected, even when they’re in your van or on the move.
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.
Tools in transit insurance covers your tools while they’re being driven around, loaded, or unloaded.
You work hard to earn your money, and we don’t think you should waste a penny of it paying over the odds on your household bills. That’s why at MoneySuperMarket, we’re on a mission to save Britain money.
Whip your credit score into shape with Credit Monitor
Super save over and over again with Energy Monitor
There are always more ways to save with MoneySuperMarket
So how do we make our money? In a nutshell, when you use us to buy something, we get a reward from the company you’re buying from.
You might be wondering if we work with all the companies in the market, or if our commercial relationships with our partners might make us feature one company above another. We’ve got nothing to hide, and we want to give you clear answers when it comes to questions like these, so we’ve pulled together everything you need to know on this page.