Your tools are the backbone of your small business if you work in construction as a plumber, electrician or painter, or as a cleaner/janitor. Stolen tools are a setback. Knowing how to replace them quickly is an essential skill set for your business.
The first rule: Don’t panic. If you know what to do, help and replacement are on the way. Here’s how to respond to tool and equipment theft and turn a moment of crisis into strengthened tool security.
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Quick and efficient action is key. Here’s what to do to set the foundation for a swift stolen tool recovery:
If you’re not reading this after you’ve already been the victim of a tool theft, compile an inventory of your entire tool set.
Make a list of what you have, along with the replacement value and the serial number of each item. Keeping receipts, photos, and serial numbers of your tools can increase your chances of recovery of your stolen goods and speed an insurance claim if you ever need to file.
Your insurance adjuster can use these details to streamline a claim. The police can also find it helpful to recover your belongings.
If you don’t have a record of this information already, make a note to document it thoroughly. It can assist in potential future claims.
Something else that can help you prepare for theft is to purchase business insurance. Business insurance can help you replace your gear quickly, reducing your loss. Coverage to consider include:
At NEXT, tools and equipment insurance is an optional add-on to general liability coverage for contractors and cleaners.
If your tools have already been stolen, document the tool theft with a police report.
Report it promptly to help speed the investigation. Creating an official record of the incident can make it easier for law enforcement to track down your tools. The more details you can provide, the better the chances of your tool recovery.
A police report also provides a formal record for your insurance company.
If you have tools stolen, lost or damaged and you have tool and equipment insurance, the coverage can provide some financial help.
Contact your insurance company to let them know what happened. An insurance agent can also help you file a claim. Your insurer will assign an adjuster to manage the claim.
Talk to your adjuster regularly and often. You may need to submit specific documentation (such as a police report), which can be crucial to your claim.
When your tools are stolen, it affects more than your schedule — it can also impact your clients. Honesty is the best policy when managing client expectations.
Assess how the incident will affect your project timeline and communicate a revised schedule as soon as possible. If you’re unsure, let them know you’ll provide timely updates.
The recovery rate after tool theft varies. It depends on the type of equipment lost, its value and law enforcement resources.
Check local flea markets and pawn shops, online classifieds like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace and other popular selling sites. Report it to the authorities if you locate your missing tools.
Work closely with your insurance agent to understand what your coverage includes and the process for reimbursement. While filing a claim is never going to be the best part of your job, it’s easier than ever.
For instance, if you’re a NEXT customer, you can file a claim on the spot, starting the claims process ASAP. Using our mobile app, you can use the photos you take with your smartphone to file a claim at the time of the incident. You’ll also get updates on your claim’s status throughout the process.
Renting or borrowing tools can be a practical short-term solution to keep your business operational. This approach lets you get back to work quickly while you sort out insurance claims or wait for your tools to be recovered.
If you have tools and equipment insurance coverage, the expense of borrowed or rented tools could also be covered by your policy in the event of theft, loss or damage.
You hate to do it, but it could be the fastest route to getting back to business. New tools come with warranties and the assurance of quality, while used tools can be more cost-effective, especially for high-ticket items.
Prevention is always better than cure. These tips can help protect your work tool storage and security.
NEXT makes it fast, easy and affordable to protect your small business — and you can do it all online.
We’ll ask a few questions about your business and give you a quote. You can select your coverage options and purchase your policy — all in about 10 minutes. Your certificate of insurance will be available immediately, and you can access your policy 24/7 via the web or mobile app.
If you have questions, our licensed, U.S.-based insurance professionals are available to help.
Amy Beardsley, insurance expert and contributing writer at NEXT Insurance, is a content marketing writer who specializes in small business coverage. Leveraging her background in the legal field, Amy brings a deep understanding of laws, regulations, and compliance requirements to her work. As a content marketing writer since 2016, she has contributed to publications like Legal & General, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Insurify, and NerdWallet. Her work has also appeared in CNBC, Kiplinger, and US News. When she’s not writing, Amy enjoys playing cards with her family and experimenting with new recipes.
